This is one of my favorite titles because it is a declaration of how I would like to be living. Regret-free is a zone that few of us occupy. You can learn so many valuable lessons from your parents but a few of the others can be absorbed. My Mother had many regrets and expressed them freely. I was not a favorite child because my parents did not roll that way but I would sit, rock, listen to my Mom so as I matured she began to confide in me. Not on purpose. I read on May 12, 2025 from Our Daily Bread, a list of ‘Do-overs’ as a care nurse, Bonnie Ware, sat with the dying. She recorded the top five regrets that floated to the surface. They were: 1) I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself. 2) I wish I hadn’t worked so hard, 3) I wish I’d had the courage to express my feelings, 4) I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends. And 5) I wish I’d let myself be happier. I’d like to take a stab at summarizing this into one statement of intention for today.
Today I will try to be true to myself, not labor in vain, express myself in words, letters, art, etc, call a friend (and not just for the right answer but to listen to that friend), and recognize, with gratitude, what happiness this day can provide for me and those around me.
Every breath is a gift from God so breath deeply and savor. Try to live a day without regrets.
