What Matters in the End

I’ve been giving a lot of thought on legacy and what really matters. If you think about it, when we reach our last day a lot of what matters along the way won’t matter at all.

There is a book titled “The Top Five Regrets of the Dying: A Life Transformed by the Dearly Departing” by Bonnie Ware

Bonnie Ware was a caretaker of many dying people during the phase of their last days.

I’d like to share what I thought were some of the best highlights of “The Top Five Regrets of the Dying.”

At the end of his life one man expressed that there’s nothing wrong with us when we want more. But then added in chasing after more and grasping for the need to be recognized through achievements and what we own—keeping up with the Jones’—can hinder us from what matters most. What does matter most? Like, time with our loved ones, time doing the things we love, and most of all balance. Pg. 75

There’s hardship in working too hard. We need to maintain balance and not make work our everything in life. Pg. 78

One lady who proclaimed, “I can’t even wipe my own bum,” said it’s the courageous who express their feelings, especially during bad times when you need assistance. It’s best to share your feelings and let others love you. Pride is useless and a waste of our time. We are all allowed to be who we are and be human and vulnerable—that’s part of living. Pg. 119

One lady as she was getting settled in bed said that learning through her life has made her not sorry for the way she lived. But if she could have done anything differently, she would have allowed more happiness in. Pg. 183

There is one word which brings out the best in a person—love. Pg. 147

Don’t sweat the small stuff. Pg. 196

What matters in the end? Only you can decide that.

“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God.” 1 John 4:7

For more from Lucille Williams check out her books The Impossible Kid: Parenting a Strong-Willed Child with Love and Grace, and for your marriage, From Me to We, and The Intimacy You Crave. We invite you to subscribe to LuSays today for weekly encouragement.