An article written by a hospice worker describes the top regrets most patients have at the end of their lives. One of the most common is:
“I wish I would have let myself be happier.”
Why did so many of them have this regret? According to our hospice worker:
“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.”
http://hospicepatients.org/five-regrets-of-the-dying-bronnie-ware.html
Joy, change, risk and even silliness, they seem simple enough; yet they all equal fear on some level. Little children seem to be the only ones who take this risk on a regular basis. Perhaps this is why Jesus said we out to become like them.
“I wish I would have let myself be happier.”
I hope I don’t let fear make this my ultimate fate.
Jodie Stevens
Your post is a beautiful statement of simple truth.
My faith informs me that the Truth, who is Christ in you and in me, brings about peace; while the lies are complex and disturb the peace. Trusting that God is sovereign over good and evil, and heals all wounds for the faithful â including wounded relationships harmed by lies â brings about peace. It is the faith of a child required to offer this trust to the LORD. Adult issues (addiction, bullying, exploitation) keep us in states of fear-based thoughts, much like malware rattling in the realm of our hearts and minds â interrupting the flow of mercy, grace and wisdom â the malware distracts us from the Truth. That is why faith to me is like a muscle; the more we declare mustard seeds of faith trusting God for all things and leaving our expectations in His hands, and believing Jesus, the greater our spiritual resilience. This is something that is not being taught at home. This is what Fresh Start family culture builder that I teach parents is all about. The faith of the parents is the spiritual resilience children need to learn how to withstand network pressure blasting untruth at them like a fire hose; when our children are experience the low points of humanity on and off line, the parentâs faith, to be the face of Christ can be their hope for a future. Fearful parents cannot raise resilient children because spiritual resilience comes from the heart of God who casts out fear. A simple truth.
I truly appreciate your Genuine Life. Praying for much continued success in everything you do Jodie. You are my sweet sister in Christ.
Love to you,
Joanna
Joanna Jullien
Author/Speaker/Educator
Banana Moments Foundation: Help for Parenting in the Social Network
Coalition for Placer Youth
916-521-7203