Happiness in 2014

With the New Year upon us I’ve been thinking about the half-tos and want-tos in life.

I recently heard a discussion on the radio about a woman who had spent her entire life taking care of hospice patients. After twenty seven years of spending the last few days and months of people’s lives with them she decided to write an article about regret.

One of the most common regrets that people confessed to her is that they wished they’d allowed themselves to be happier.

I found it fascinating that they didn’t wish they were happier. They said they wished they’d allowed themselves to be happier-as if at the end of their lives they realized they had a choice, at least far more of a choice than they once thought.

It is on the words of the dead and the dying that I write this post today.

I know that there are lots things we have to do in this life but I also think there are many things we can both do and allow ourselves to feel that we don’t because, like those who were passing, we don’t allow ourselves. 

For example, I spend far too much time worrying about what I am not accomplishing.  I wonder, if I just took stock in what I did accomplish every day, would I be more at peace with my offer to the world?  I know I’m not alone in this. We women are infamous worriers. 

I guess what I am trying to say is, life is precious. My own mother died at the tender age of twenty nine and her short life is a constant reminder to cherish every minute…even the tough parts.  This is not my advice. I’m just passing on the sentiment. ALLOW YOURSELF TO BE HAPPYJ   I hope if you read this little post you are finding joy in life and have started out what will be a great 2014!  Happy New Year friends.