How old are you?
Whatever your reply, I bet you’re not old enough.
Old enough to have real regrets.
The other day, I came upon a thought-provoking piece attributed to ex-NFL lineman Joe Ehrmann. It goes like this; there are Three Things the Elderly Regret not Having Done,
Those three regrets are:
1: Not leaving a legacy
2: Not taking time for reflection
3: Not taking more risks
Can you do me a favour?
Can you sit back and think about those three things?
Go ahead,
Think about them long and hard.
Think about how those three things relate to what you’re trying to accomplish—today—in your everyday life.
As you rush—feverishly—through your days,
Just trying to get things done,
How mindful are you of those three things?
Well, let’s see.
Do any of us think of legacies?
How could we?
We’re busy.
Working at our jobs, making ends meet.
We have bosses and obligations,
Colleagues and commitments,
Legacies?
Who has time?
What about risks?
How many of us take risks?
Other than, maybe, throwing caution to the wind during a weekend rafting expedition,
Or a bungee jumping excursion,
Most of don’t venture too far out on that limb.
For many of us, taking risks with our careers, with our livelihood—with the stuff we’d really love to do,
Is all—you know—too risky.
What was the last thing?
Ah yes, reflection.
Do we stop and reflect?
Actually, many of us do.
And what do we reflect on?
On our future.
On what we’re going to do, once we’re done with whatever it is—our jobs, our businesses, our careers—we’re doing now.
We reflect on what we’re going to accomplish,
On how great our lives will be,
At some hazy, uncertain point in the future.
And until that hazy, hopeful future arrives,
We continue to live our lives—with not much more than a glint of reflection.
And that’s what I find curious about the Three Things the Elderly Regret not Having Done
Do you see?
In our 30s, our 40s, and even into our 50s and 60s…
We sometimes think about all the wonderful, meaningful, fun things we’re going to do—some day.
Then…
We wake up and and realize…
We’ve arrived at that hazy, uncertain point of our lives,
Where there are more yesterdays than tomorrows,
And, suddenly, we’re the ones thinking of Three Things we Regret not Having Done.
My message is simple.
Don’t wait to find your purpose.
Don’t wait to pursue your passion, or to do what’s meaningful.
Go ahead,
Reflect on what’s important.
Go ahead,
Take a few risks.
Go ahead,
Leave a legacy.
Go ahead,
Live your life, every day. Turn your work into play. And never, ever stop pursuing your passion.
Go ahead.
Do it now.
And,
If you keep visiting my blog, I’ll show you how.
Ideas? Suggestions? Questions? Please leave a comment.
Hey Mike – a great article – a great reminder. It’s so true and one that we all must pay attention to. Keep up the great work – and do more!
Cathy
Thanks for taking the time to comment Cathy,
Thanks too for the encouragement. I certainly intend to write much more about a Net Present Value lifestyle!
It’s great hearing from you.
hey MIke,
If only I had time to reflect on a witty comment…….. but I just don’t take that time. Thanks for the reminder of what life is all about. LIVING!!
I used to say I wanted to live life with no regrets, but once I passed 40, i realized that there will be some trade-offs and you just can’t have it all (without killing yoursef) so now my motto is to live life with few regrets.
Scary about there being more yesterdays than tomorrows – ok, time to cross something off my bucket list TODAY! Or maybe, just take time to reflect that could be on my bucket list if I had the time to make one up……
Best regards
Patti
Thanks commenting Patti,
You really touched on something there that most of us take for granted… and that’s the question of time. As my own life is ticking by, I’ve only recently started to fully understand just how precious time is. So, yeah the bucket list is important, and my goal is to make as many days as possible a bucket list day.