The Big Sea: Part 8 The End: What are You Passionate About?

God is soooooo good; he gives us choices. Yes, that's right, he lets us decide how we want to live. He sent Jesus so that we can have life and have life abundantly. But, he does not force abundant life on us; we must make the choice to have it.

He does not make us chose happiness, healthy foods, to workout, to spend time with great people, to love with our whole heart, work on jobs that we actually enjoy, follow our passions etc. He lets us decide. All I can say to this is Hallelujah!!!!

If you have been reading this series on passion, you know that I have made a conscious decision to live an abundant life by deciding to make my bad days good, doing things that bring me complete joy often, and making no excuses about the life that I have decided to live.

So, you may ask, "How am I discovering my passion?" (I am still discovering things that I love to do.)

1) I made the decision to live a life that I like and that honors God.

2) When opportunities present themselves to try something new; I try it.

3) I do not let fear rule me.

4) I make no excuses. No one cares about my excuses, especially God.

My sister, Dorothy, sent me an email that was the "Top Five Regrets of the Dying" by Bronnie Ware. Bronnie spent time with people who were dying. When he asked people about their regrets, here are the top five things that people regretted:

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. Many developed illnesses relating to the bitterness and resentment they carried as a result. As a result, they settled for a mediocre existence and never became who they were truly capable of becoming. 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.

I must give a shout out to my sister, Dr. Dorothy Reed, for sending me this email and to Bronnie Ware for having enough compassion to spend time with people who were dying and sharing their stories with the world.

People, life is meant to be lived with abundance. So, discover what that means for you, and live your best life.