2. I wish I didn’t work so hard.
Like the saying goes, no one on their deathbed wishes they spent more time at the office.
3. I wish I’d had the courage to express my feelings.
Healthy relationships rely on honest, open and loving sharing of true emotions.
4. I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends.
I have written on this blog how strongly I feel about the importance of lifelong friendships. Also I am learning how to let go of being bothered by interruptions, treating them as nuisances, and embrace them as intermissions and opportunities.
5. I wish that I had let myself be happier.
The article mentioned this was also a very common regret. So often we let life drag us down instead of choosing to be happier. Our natural tendency may be to fret, get discouraged, or want to give up, but with God we can recognize our default mode and make the decision to live in His freedom, joy and love.
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
Matthew 6: 25-34
What lessons have you learned from regrets?
I thought at first you were going to break out in song with Frank’s lyrics in your first line of the comments. LOL
I was fascinated by this list of regrets and they really made me think
Love your comment, Gail. Retirement years can be so meaningful. and I agree the longer I am married, the more I enjoy and love my hubby. The second half of life for me has been very rewarding.
Regrets–I’ve had a few. I think these are all things which most of us have heard or know, at least at some deep level. And yet, I can go about my daily life as though I’ve never heard such things. It is so easy to forget, to be purposeful about these things. And that’s why a post like this is so important. I need to be reminded constantly of these things so I don’t open myself up to regret.
Good stuff.
Dear Jean, this is such good stuff!
I appreciate hearing these regrets and your response to each. As a “retired” couple, trying to live on less so we can use our retirement for people and ministry, we’re finding that the norm is to keep working until you pretty much lose your health. I wish other seniors understood #2. It is such a blessing to spend our remaining years doing part-time ministry overseas, having lots of time for our grandchildren, and time to really enjoy our marriage. I know some folks have to keep working, but many we know just can’t seem to give it up even though they are able.
And I was convicted by some of the other regrets you mentioned. Great reminders. Thanks.
I know this list really hit me when I read those regrets. Now my hubby will tell you I do spend too much time tucked away here in my office away from him but I do plan to make a good effort to be with him, really be with him better.
Dearest Jean
This is another one of my favorites! I am going to show this one to my dearest husband. That one loooooves working very hard.
Blessings
Mia