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. One of the most common regrets especially of men is to have spent a lot
of time in life working for which they regret not having spent more time with
their children and their partners.

2. One of the most common regrets of people who are about to die is to
realize the dreams they have to fulfill

3. As mentioned in the article and in my opinion happiness is an option

because many times we get upset about things that we should not do and it
is in ourselves to define what affects us and what not, if we realized how
short life is would be happier and enjoy it every day.

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:

1. Regret: They wish they had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the lives
of others.

Reflection: If they had not cared what they would say or the opinion of others they
would have enjoyed their own life more.

2. Regret: They wish they hadn't worked so much.

Reflection: If they had not spent so much time working they could have enjoyed
more of their relatives as children and partners.

3. Regret: They wish they had the courage to express their feelings.

Reflection: If they had always expressed their feelings they would have no
outstanding accounts with anyone and would have suffered less.

4. Regret: They wish they had kept in touch with their friends.

Reflection: If they had a constant relationship with friends and had not neglected
them for everyday issues they would not regret having abandoned their friends.

5. Regret: They wish they had been happier.

Reflection: If they had realized that happiness depends on each one and that
external factors we can control each one would have been happier.
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.

R. En 2012, Bronnie Ware, una enfermera paliativa australiana, escribió un libro

titulado "Los cinco arrepentimientos principales de los moribundos". Lea el
siguiente artículo sobre ese libro y responda las preguntas a continuación.

Para responder las preguntas 1 y 2, siga la estructura gramatical en el ejemplo:

Ejemplo: desearían no haber perdido el tiempo en argumentos tontos.

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