The Top Five Regrets of the Dying Book Summary by Bronnie Ware

After working for too many years for unfulfilling work, Author Bronnie started searching for a new job and despite not having proper qualification or experience, she found herself working in palliative care.

Over the years she spent tending to the needs of those who were dying, Bronnie’s life was transformed. Later, she wrote an Internet blog about the most common regrets expressed to her by the people she had cared for. The article, also called The Top Five Regrets of the Dying, gained so much momentum that it was read by more than three million people around the globe in its first year. At the requests of many, Bronnie now shares her own personal story.

Bronnie has had a colorful and diverse past, but by applying the lessons of those nearing their death to her own life, she developed an understanding that it is possible for people, if they make the right choices, to die with peace of mind. In this book, she expresses in a heartfelt retelling how significant these regrets are and how we can positively address these issues while we still have the time. The Top Five Regrets of the Dying gives hope for a better world.

It is a story told through sharing her inspiring and honest journey, which will leave you feeling kinder towards yourself and others, and more determined to live the life you are truly here to live. This delightful memoir is a courageous, life-changing book.

This book contains a deeply sentimental and touching story. In this book, the author shares her experience working with those nearing death to help you understand that anything is possible if you make choices that align with your values.

Bronnie says People grow a lot when they are faced with their own mortality. She learned never to underestimate someone’s capacity for growth. Some changes were phenomenal. Each experienced a variety of emotions, as expected, denial, fear, anger, remorse, more denial and eventually acceptance.

Every single patient found their peace before they departed though, every one of them. When questioned about any regrets they had or anything they would do differently, common themes surfaced again and again. Here are the most common five:

1) I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.

Bronnie says that this was the most common regret by the people who realized their life is coming to an end. When people realize that their life is almost over and look back clearly on it, it is easy to see how many dreams have gone unfulfilled. Most of the people had not honored their half of the dreams and they will die knowing that all that happened because of the choices they had made or not made.

Hence the author says that it is important to honor at least some of your dreams. Realize that health is very important.y. From the moment that you lose your health, it is too late. Health brings a freedom very few realize until they no longer have it.

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2) I wish I didn’t work so hard.

Bronnie says that this is a very common regret especially from the side of the male patient she had nursed. They missed their children’s youth and their partner’s companionship. Women also spoke of this regret. But as most were from an older generation, many of the female patients had not been breadwinners. The Author says that most of the male patients regret that they were so busy spending their lives on work treadmill that they forgot about their personal life.

Do Not complicate Your life. Understand the importance of everything in your life. work hard for your luxurious lifestyle but never forget your family and loved one’s importance, because that will make you and your life happier. Understand every aspect of your life is important hence don’t just run behind one thing. have time for everything. Manage your time wisely.

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3) I wish I’d had the courage to express my feelings.

Bronnie says that many people suppressed or hide 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 because of the bitterness and resentment they carry within their mind and head.

Understand You can’t control others every time. You can’t control others reaction But you can control yourself and can make choices for yourself. Bronnie says although people may initially react when you change the way you are by speaking honestly, in the end, it raises the relationship to a whole new and healthier level. Either that or it releases an unhealthy relationship from your life. Either way, you win.

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4) I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends.

In this busy world, people forget the importance of old friends and they don’t realise till the time they don’t reach near the end of their lives. Many have become so caught up in their work that they have forgotten the importance of true friendship. Many people regret the time which has slipped which they could have given to their friends, they regret the time and efforts that their friendship had deserved. Everyone misses their friends when they are dying.

It is very common that people forget the importance of their loved ones. We all should understand that when our time comes near it is not status or wealth which we needed that time. It is the presence of our loved ones which affects us which makes us feel good. Suppose you are unwell, you have lots of money, You are famous But outside your hospital room, there is not even a single person who truly loves you has come to meet you. How You would feel?

Understand Never Complicate your life. Understand the importance of what you have while working for what you want.

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5. I wish that I had let myself be happier

The author says Surprising this Regret is common. Many did not realise until the end that happiness is a choice. People stay in their comfort zone throughout their lives and always fear to change, Bronnie says 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.

People fear to change, they fear to chase what they desire and to cover that they pretend to others and to themselves that they are very satisfied with their lives, however deep within they feel incomplete and they longed to laugh properly and have silliness in their life again.

When you are on your deathbed, what others feel and think about you is something you don’t think for a second. But the question is why to Realise it so late, Understand that what others think and say about you doesn’t matter. It’s you who has control over your thoughts feelings and emotions. It is You who gives other control over you.

Its You and it is Your Life, Your choice, Your decisions. Hence Never Regret things, You still have time to make your life better and change for better.

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Life is a choice. It is YOUR life. Choose consciously, choose wisely, choose honestly. Choose happiness.

This is the end of The Top Five Regrets of the Dying Book Summary. You can get this free Audiobook from Audible or buy from Amazon.