In my last blog entitled ‘still running on the treadmill of work existence’ I referred to good health bringing a freedom very few people realise until they haven’t got it. Sadly, we all know of so many people who are battling against illness.
Much of the inspiration for my last blog, and indeed this one, comes from Bronnie Ware’s book The Top Five Regrets of the Dying – A Life Transformed by the Dearly Departing.
Her work in palliative care inspired her to ask her patients what they thought about their lives. She stated that the moment you lose your health you don’t have the same choices. Many people she worked with, as they approached the end of their life, reflected on how many dreams were unfulfilled. These were a result of the choices they did or did not make.
All of the men questioned deeply regretted spending so much time of their lives on the ‘treadmill of work existence’. At the time they didn’t think they had a choice but of course we always have choices to make. By simplifying your lifestyle and making conscious decisions along the way, it is possible not to need the income you think you do. By creating more space in your life you become happier and more open to opportunities, ones more suited to how you want to live your life.
Bronnie also highlighted the evidence that it was “easy to get so caught up in their own lives that they let good relationships with friends slip over the years”. It is important to avoid any regrets about not giving friendships the time and effort they deserved. The key here in many ways is time. When you consider the amount of time many of us spend at work nowadays, when added to recuperation time and sleep, there is often little quality time for family and friends, hobbies or enjoyment.
Bronnie’s work also suggests that “happiness is a choice and the importance of not getting stuck in old patterns and habits. Fear of change had them pretending to others and themselves that they were content”.
“Life is a choice. It’s YOUR life. Choose consciously, choose wisely, choose honestly. Choose happiness”.
Difficult to disagree isn’t it? This is why my team and I spend so much time understanding your dreams before we give any form of advice. Creating an emotional connection to your finances and how you want to live your life throws up all sorts of possibilities. It’s then all about being excited about the future…
