Learning activity 1

Evidence: Regrets from the dying

This evidence is divided into two parts. Read the instructions below and make sure you
complete both tasks.

Fuente: SENA

A. In 2012, Bronnie Ware, an Australian palliative nurse, wrote a book called “The Top Five
Regrets of the Dying”. Read the following article about that book and answer the
questions below.

To answer questions 1 and 2, follow the grammar structure in the example:

Example: They wish they hadn’t wasted time in silly arguments.

Source: http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2012/feb/01/top-five-regrets-of-the-
dying
 Top five regrets of the dying

A nurse has recorded the most common regrets of the dying, and among the top ones is
'I wish I hadn't worked so hard'. What would your biggest regret be if this was your last
day of life?

There was no mention of more sex or bungee jumps. A palliative nurse who has
counselled the dying in their last days has revealed the most common regrets we have
at the end of our lives. And among the top, from men in particular, is 'I wish I hadn't
worked so hard'.

Bronnie Ware is an Australian nurse who spent several years working in palliative care,
caring for patients in the last 12 weeks of their lives. She recorded their dying
epiphanies in a blog called Inspiration and Chai, which gathered so much attention that
she put her observations into a book called The Top Five Regrets of the Dying.

Ware writes of the phenomenal clarity of vision that people gain at the end of their lives,
and how we might learn from their wisdom. "When questioned about any regrets they
had or anything they would do differently," she says, "common themes surfaced again
and again".

Here are the top five regrets of the dying, as witnessed by Ware:

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 realise 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 had not honoured even a half of their dreams and had to die
knowing that it was due to choices they had made, or not made. Health brings a
freedom very few realise, until they no longer have it".

2. I wish I hadn't worked 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".

3. I wish I'd had the courage to express my feelings.

 "Many people suppressed their feelings in order to keep peace with others. As a
result, they settled for a mediocre existence and never became who they were truly
capable of becoming. Many developed illnesses relating to the bitterness and
resentment they carried as a result".

4. I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends.

"Often they would not truly realise 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".

5. I wish that I had let myself be happier.

"This is a surprisingly common one. Many did not realise 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".

What's your greatest regret so far, and what will you set out to achieve or change
before you die?

Questions:

1. What is one of the most common regrets dying people, particularly men, have?

2. When dying people are asked about their regrets, what are the most common themes
they mention?

3. In the article they mentioned that happiness is a choice. What do you think this
means?
 Answers:

1.. the most common regrets of the dying from men was: they wish they
hadn't worked so hard'

2. the most common themes they mention are:

 They wish they would have had the courage to live a life true
to themselves, not the life others
expected of them.

 They wish they hadn't worked so hard.

 They wish They’d had the courage to express their feelings.

 They wish They’d stayed in touch with their friends.

 They wish They’d had let themselves be happier.

3. I think that phrase means that you choose to be happy, nobody else
can make you happy you are the only one that makes you happy.

B. Using the answers from part A question 2, describe how things would have been
different if they had changed their actions in each situation. Read the example below:

Example:

Regret: They wish they hadn’t wasted time on silly arguments.

Reflection: If they hadn’t wasted time on silly arguments, they would have enjoyed the
company of others more.
Answer:

 They wish they would have had the courage to live a life true to themselves,
not the life others
expected of them.

If they had lived a life true to themselves they would have been happier .

 They wish they hadn't worked so hard.

If they hadn't worked so hard they would have enjoyed more the life

 They wish They’d had the courage to express their feelings.

If They’d had the courage to express their feelings They would have felt in peace.

 They wish They’d stayed in touch with their friends.

If They’d stayed in touch with their friends they would have shared great
moments of their life

 They wish They’d had let themselves be happier.

If They’d had let themselves be happier they would not have regretted what they
could or could not do in life-

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Note: This evidence is an individual activity. Remember to check the learning guide in
order to know if you have done all the assigned activities, know how to develop them and
deliver them correctly.

Criterios de evaluación
 Enuncia remordimientos en el contexto requerido.

 Formula consecuencias hipotéticas a cursos de acción distintos en el

pasado en el contexto requerido.