Life is both long and short. Years are long periods of time, but before we know it, they've slipped on by.
And at some point you're at the near-end of your life, looking back. What do you see? Do you see all the things you wish you would have done? Or do you see regret?
Most people are bound to have regrets. It's a part of life to be afraid at some point.
u/Crazy__Donkey asked:
Here were some of those answers.
Live Life 4Ever
I asked my 88 year old grandma this and she said to stop placing value on what other people think of you. Recognize this is your life and get on with it. Do the things you want to do.
Vulnerability
Pay yourself first no matter what.
Don't do anything too much, smoking, drinking, games, porn, anything in excess will hold you back.
Learn to honestly deal with your emotions.
It's A Gift
Relax. This stuff isn't so serious. I'm 3/4's done with life, probably 20 more to go. 10 good ones and then it will start to get rough. Don't chase after things. Be simple. Eat simple. Enjoy life. Stop being critical. Enjoy this brief time.
A Young Age, With Few Regrets
My dad was 51 when he passed away in 2007 of colorectal cancer . He said he had two regrets . One was he should have left his job years ago. He said he was so miserable the last 5 years there. It was wasted time when he could have been doing something he enjoyed. His job was a small family company whom he worked for 23 years. They treated him like absolute crap throughout his cancer ordeal.
Second was he wanted to ask a woman friend of his out on a date and never got the courage to do it. This was so sad because my dad never went out with anyone when I was growing up. He must have really liked her a lot He was about to and because he got his cancer diagnosis it was too late.
His words stay with me. I was unhappy with my workplace and finally after many years will be moving on to a better position in September. Life is really too short.
Alignment
I should have made better marriage choices. Dont marry too young, or if you do, just be really really sure that you have the same values and same goals. If one of you doesn't want kids, for instance, that should be a deal breaker. If one doesn't like sex or intimacy, HUGE DEAL BREAKER. If he/she is a jerk to your friends and family, get out of that relationship. If he/she is never wrong or will never admit it, get out. And stay out of credit card debt.
Kindness
I'm 62. Do what you want and don't worry about what others think. You want to try that new restaurant but have no one to go with? Go alone and enjoy yourself! Overweight but not swimming because of how you look in a swimsuit? Who cares? Swim your heart out! Mouthing hymns in church because you sing off key? Sing loud and make a joyful noise!
But most importantly, be kind. Regardless of how anyone treats you or what anyone says, be kind. You can walk away, disagree, and/or not respect someone who doesn't deserve it, but do it kindly. Be argumentative or getting butt hurt or cursing and yelling only serves to make you feel worse later.
One Short Day That Ruined My Life
I wish I'd gone to the Emergency Room that day in 1991 when I had terrible stomach pain. I was a single working mom and didn't have health insurance, and I was afraid of the bill. I've suffered and nearly died a few times because of that bad choice. Worse, my children suffered and still do because of it.
One Opportunity
My 74-year old mom answered:
"When I was in grad school, a teaching position in photography opened up and I didn't take it. I thought gee I wonder what would have happened? I don't know what it is. I had opportunities here. I just didn't take that one. Out of all of the opportunities that was one that was staying in my area and that one seemed far away. I should have looked at the opportunity differently and researched it out."
Silence Is Golden
67 here. I've become a contrarian in many regards. Do the opposite of what the crowd does and in many cases (not all) it works out.
Also, take care of your effing ears. I LOVED loud music and pumped it into my ears through headphones for decades. Now I've got tinnitus. It's not awful, but I'm never going to experience pure silence again.
Spend Time At Home
My son is seven and I have twins that are almost 2. I worked as a delivery driver when my son was younger so I was out of the house 14 hours a day 5 days a week and exhausted on the weekends. I feel like I missed a big part of his younger years and it makes me sad. Thankfully I'm now working from home and getting to see my kids grow and learn in front of me is amazing.
I sat on the couch this evening with my son and asked him how he liked having me home so much and he said it was awesome but he would be sad when I had to go back out to drive. It made me very happy to tell him I'd be working from home as long as I had my current job.
