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

2. “I wish I'd had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of
me” and “I wish that I had let myself be happier”.

3. I think it's true, because everyone can choose in life whatever they want, including
happiness.

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:

Regret: They wish they'd had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others
expected of me

Reflection: If he hadn't waited for time to pass, they would have been able to fulfill
everyone's dreams.

When you finish your work, send the file to your instructor through the platform as follows:
1. Click on the title of this evidence.
2. Click on Examinar mi equipo and look for the file in your computer. Make sure the file is
attached.
3. Leave a comment for the instructor (optional).
4. Click Enviar.

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.