Well here we are doll, the (almost) end of what has been a turbulent, fast moving, fairly hectic year for most people. The world as we know it is changing moment by moment. Mother Nature is flexing her muscles and showing us all too clearly who rules! Life is fragile, uncertain and changes forever in a heartbeat. My friend Karen knows that only too well. On a sunny Saturday morning in mid November while en-route to the shops with her husband, her life changed forever when another vehicle slammed into them at an intersection (other driver at fault), Karen taking the brunt of the impact. As I write this on the 30th December, she is still in hospital, not fully conscious and recovery is going to be a long, slow, painful process. Her shocked family are having to rethink the way they do things, adapt and adjust to not having their wife and mother around. Whenever I don't want to do something (exercise, do something that scares me) I think: If I cannot do it for me, I can at least do it for Karen. Because she can't. It has become my mantra "doing it for Karen". Hey, maybe that's the title of a book! Then a few days ago, was reading an article while at the hairdressers and someone who works with the terminally ill listed the 5 Major Regrets that the dying have. I think they are worth repeating here......
I Wish......
- I had the courage to live a life true to myself not the life others expect of me
- I didn't work so hard (without exception EVERY male patient had this regret)
- I had the courage to express my feelings
- I had stayed in touch with my friends
- I had let myself be happier
So, as we move into a year that promises to be even more challenging and exciting than this one (and no, I do not believe that the 'end of the world' is nigh), if you take these five simple yet profound regrets and set the intention to allow yourself to experience at least one of them, I think you will have an exceptional, joy-filled 2012. There is an old saying "this is not a dress rehearsal" - this is IT. The show. There is never going to be a right time to leave/commit/start/end. You have to just jump and KNOW that the net will appear. If not for yourself - then do it for Karen.
Happy happy new year to all - prepare for the ride of your life and I am right there with you!
Blessings to you.
