Happiness is a sunny Saturday on Commercial Drive in Vancouver.
I was reading this article about a nurse who worked with elderly patients who were terminal. She found that they had five recurring regrets. But the one that came up the most often was the wish to have let themselves be happier.
Many of them didn’t realize until the end, when it was too late, that happiness was a choice. They had mistakenly chased and tried to acquire happiness through wealth or social acceptance or other trappings of life. It was only when they were dying that they realized that they could have chosen to be happy regardless of being rich or poor.
It brought to mind my many visits over the years to the coast of Mexico. I always tried to find a place to stay in the part of town where the Mexican families lived. It was always safer there. And the people were kind and generous. But more than anything, they were happy. They didn’t have a lot of material wealth, compared to the visiting tourists. Just the essentials. Like happiness.
Regrets are a normal part of life but I think it’s important to have as few of them as possible, particularly at the end. It might be wise to live with the realization that tomorrow might be your last day. Who knows? Eventually you’ll be right.
Keeping in mind that the end may be near, we might just procrastinate less and chase our dreams more. I like the idea that I might be able to control my own happiness–by the thoughts I allow to swim about in my head and by the people (and my little dog) that I allow to share my life.
Hoping you all have a creative and happy week.
Much love from Dakota and Lucky.
Me and Lucky enjoying a sunny Saturday on Commercial Drive (the Italian area) in Vancouver. This photo was taken by Ilaria, an architect and wonderful photographer who is visiting Canada from Italy.
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Beautiful article! It really is just a choice ! I enjoy your blog ..it’s is very uplifting and something I needed right now .. thankyou!
Thanks Elias: I haven’t been writing much lately but hope to start again soon. Good luck with your skin. Dakota