
 
1. I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.
 This was the most common regret of all. When people realize  that their life is almost over and look back clearly on it, it is easy  to see how many dreams have gone unfulfilled. Most people have had not honored even a half of their dreams and had to die knowing that it was  due to choices they had made, or not made. It is very important to try  and honor at least some of your dreams along the way. From the moment  that you lose your health, it is too late. Health brings a freedom very  few realize, until they no longer have it.
2. I wish I didn’t work so hard.
 This came from every male patient that I nursed. They missed  their children’s youth and their partner’s companionship. Women also  spoke of this regret. But as most were from an older generation, many of  the female patients had not been breadwinners. All of the men I nursed  deeply regretted spending so much of their lives on the treadmill of a  work existence. By simplifying your lifestyle and making conscious  choices along the way, it is possible to not need the income that you  think you do. And by creating more space in your life, you become  happier and more open to new opportunities, ones more suited to your new  lifestyle.
3. I wish I’d had the courage to express my feelings.
 Many people suppressed their feelings in order to keep peace  with others. As a result, they settled for a mediocre existence and  never became who they were truly capable of becoming. Many developed  illnesses relating to the bitterness and resentment they carried as a  result. We cannot control the reactions of others. However, although  people may initially react when you change the way you are by speaking  honestly,in the end it raises the relationship to a whole new and  healthier level. Either that or it releases the unhealthy relationship  from your life. Either way, you win.
4. I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends.
 Often they would not truly realize the full benefits of old  friends until their dying weeks and it was not always possible to track  them down. Many had become so caught up in their own lives that they had  let golden friendships slip by over the years. There were many deep  regrets about not giving friendships the time and effort that they  deserved.Everyone misses their friends when they are dying. It is common  for anyone in a busy lifestyle to let friendships slip.But when you are  faced with your approaching death, the physical details of life fall  away. People do want to get their financial affairs in order if  possible. But it is not money or status that holds the true importance  for them. They want to get things in order more for the benefit of those  they love. Usually though, they are too ill and weary to ever manage  this task. It is all comes down to love and relationships in the end.  That is all that remains in the final weeks,love and relationships.
5. I wish that I had let myself be happier.
 This is a surprisingly common one. Many did not realize until  the end that happiness is a choice. They had stayed stuck in old  patterns and habits. The so-called ‘comfort’ of familiarity overflowed  into their emotions, as well as their physical lives. Fear of change had  them pretending to others, and to their selves, that they were content.  When deep within, they longed to laugh properly and have silliness in  their life again. When you are on your deathbed, what others think of  you is a long way from your mind. How wonderful to be able to let go and  smile again,long before you are dying. 
via the Observer (August 2010)