This is from a book I saw a few years back and just found on-line. The author, Bronnie Ware, was a rest home worker in the US.

Here Are 5 Things You May Regret At The End Of Your Life

1. “I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.” This was the most common regret of all. When people realise that their life is almost over and look back clearly on it, it is easy to see how many dreams have gone unfulfilled.

2. “I wish I didn’t work so hard.” This came from every male patient that I nursed. They missed their children’s youth and their partner’s companionship.

3. “I wish I’d had the courage to express my feelings.” Many people suppressed their feelings in order to keep peace with others. As a result, they settled for a mediocre existence and never became who they were truly capable of becoming. Many developed illnesses relating to the bitterness and resentment they carried as a result.

4. “I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends.” Often they would not truly realise the full benefits of old friends until their dying weeks and it was not always possible to track them down. Many had become so caught up in their own lives that they had let golden friendships slip by over the years. There were many deep regrets about not giving friendships the time and effort that they deserved. Everyone misses their friends when they are dying.

5. “I wish that I had let myself be happier.” This is a surprisingly common one. Many did not realise until the end that happiness is a choice. They had stayed stuck in old patterns and habits. The so-called ‘comfort’ of familiarity overflowed into their emotions, as well as their physical lives. Fear of change had them pretending to others, and to their selves, that they were content. When deep within, they longed to laugh properly and have silliness in their life again.