Life is hectic. Most of the time, it feels like we’re stuck in a hamster wheel, continuously running so fast we hardly have time to catch our breath. There’s just no time to stop and connect with the people we love, or enjoy the simple delicious pleasures in life, be it a cool breeze brushing our face or a spectacular sunrise.
Learning the hard way
It’s only when tragedy strikes that we stop in our tracks. Perhaps it’s a relationship breakdown, or the loss of a loved one. It’s only then that we’re forced to examine our life and what we’ve been doing up until that point.
And that’s when the regrets set in. The phone calls we didn’t make, the time we didn’t spend connecting one-on-one, and the things we allowed ourselves to be distracted by (the TV, the phone, work).
Stop now and reexamine what’s important
Checking off that to-do list matters – I get that. But is it really so important that you put off doing small things that help you feel connected to your loved ones or even, just to yourself?
When it comes to forming those connections, put aside the mindset of ‘one day when I have time, I’ll do it’. Don’t put off that call or visit to your friends or family. Do it now. Today. It matters.
In the grand scheme of life, it’s the small moments that make it all worthwhile. And waiting to reach out is a mistake, especially when you consider that one day may not ever come. You’ll miss that golden opportunity to say what you want, or do what you wanted and where does that leave you? Feeling regretful!
The top 5 regrets
I recently read a great article by Susie Moore called ‘The 5 biggest regrets people have before they die’. She says they are:
1. I wish I had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the one others expected of me
2. I wish I didn’t work so hard
3. I wish I had the courage to express my feelings
4. I wish I stayed in touch with my friends
5. I wish I’d let myself be happier
Do you want to reach the end of your life and have the same regrets? If not, Susie (and I!) recommend it’s time to get clear with yourself. Figure out what you really want, and then set your intentions to achieve it.
Try this baby step
Today, stop for a moment and think about what one small thing you can do to help you feel more connected. Maybe it’s just simply sitting with yourself in silence, or reaching out to a friend you haven’t connected with in a while.
Go ahead and do it. If you do, I can assure you of two things:
1. You won’t regret it, and
2. Your busyness will still be waiting for you when you’re done!
Take the time to enjoy your moment of connection. Get revived and then you can face your busy work with renewed vigor (and likely, get it done faster!). Go for it!