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Bronnie Ware, a palliative care nurse, deeply impacted by her patients’ last reflections, identified five regrets common at life’s end. These include:

1. “I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.”
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.”
5. “I wish that I had let myself be happier.”

Link for listeners: You can read the original article, Regrets of the Dying, by Bronnie Ware here: [Regrets of the Dying – Bronnie Ware]
bronnieware.com

3. Research & Psychology Insights

Living Intentionally Enhances Well-Being

• Setting Intentions = Better Health & Happiness
  A 2021 study by Eric S. Kim and colleagues finds that people with clear intentions or a “micro purpose” experience longer life, better sleep, more happiness, and less loneliness
  Psychology Today.
• Intentional Kindness Amplifies Joy
  A 2023 study in the Journal of Experimental Psychology: General by Kumar and Epley showed that performing small acts of kindness brings more happiness to recipients than givers expect
  Psychology Today.

Paths to a Good Life

• Three Dimensions of Well-Being
  Contemporary research by Oishi and colleagues outlines three major paths to a “good life”:
  • Happy Life: marked by joy and comfort
  • Meaningful Life: rooted in purpose and connection
  • Psychologically Rich Life: built on novelty, transformation, and managing discomfort
• A psychologically rich life, though sometimes disquieting, can be deeply rewarding.
  The Washington Post

Your Citations in Summary

• Bronnie Ware’s regrets:
  Wikipedia
  bronnieware.com
• Link to her article:
  bronnieware.com
• Intentional living benefits:
  Psychology Today
• Good life dimensions:
  The Washington Post
• PERMA model:
  Wikipedia
• Broaden-and-build theory:
  Wikipedia
• Gratitude and joy research:
  Verywell Mind
  SELF
  The Washington Po

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