Do you have the courage?

Bronnie Ware, an Australian nurse, works in palliative care. She cares for patients in the last 12 weeks of their life.

Over the years, she comforted and cared for many patients. And with each one, she asked one question.

“Are there any regrets you have, or would you have done anything differently?”

What an incredibly powerful moment of reflection.

Take a pause. And imagine yourself in the same situation. What if you were asked this question?

The most common answer that surfaced was this:

“I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.”

Let that sink in.

When I read it, I get emotional.

Living a life true to myself, not what others expect of me.

And what does that life look like?

It’s a life of passion.

Of following your dreams. Answering your calling. No matter the risks.

Bronnie goes on to say “Health brings a freedom very few realise until they no longer have it.”

There is a calling within each of us. We suppress it because we fear the risks.

But when you reach the end of your life, it won’t be the risk that you regret. It will be the unheard calling.

Can you hear it? It’s reaching out even now.

Answer it.

WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU CAN DO TODAY?

Stop what you’re doing.

Close your eyes. Take three deep breaths.

And then ask yourself “What do I really want?”

Whatever that calling is, hear it. Let it surface.

Answer it. And let it guide your future.