How to Live a Life Without Regrets

Australian nurse Bronnie Ware, who cared for the dying, often heard a common regret from her patients: "I wish I'd had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me." This insight offers a powerful lesson for those of us in the middle of life's journey.

To avoid similar regrets, it's crucial to create our own moral code. This personal set of principles may differ from societal, peer, or family expectations. It's about doing the work to find and follow our own path, rather than simply walking the one laid out by others.

Mahatma Gandhi exemplified the power of living by one's own moral code. Despite facing immense pressure and opposition, he steadfastly adhered to his moral code of nonviolent resistance and simple living. Gandhi's commitment to his principles, even when they diverged sharply from societal norms and colonial expectations, played a pivotal role in India's independence movement and inspired civil rights leaders worldwide.

Developing your own moral code involves three key elements, exemplified by Gandhi's life:

1. Awareness: Gandhi's experiences with racial discrimination in South Africa created a profound tension between the prevailing colonial norms and his own sense of justice. His awareness of the difference between accepted societal practices and what he believed to be morally right set him on his journey towards civil rights activism.

2. Self-examination: Through his practice of daily prayer and meditation, Gandhi consistently reflected on his actions and motivations. His autobiographical work, "The Story of My Experiments with Truth," captures his ongoing self-examination and personal growth.

3. Courage: Gandhi's decision to adopt non-violent civil disobedience, despite facing imprisonment and violent opposition, showcased immense courage. His famous Salt March, defying the British salt monopoly, was a bold act that aligned with his principles but defied societal norms and legal expectations.

We can't control others' expectations, but we can control our response. Whether our actions influence millions or those closest to us, by staying true to our moral code we’ll live authentically, and we can reach the end of our lives with fewer regrets and a deeper sense of fulfillment.

What’s your moral code? How did you develop it? Did it evolve over time? Does it need updating?

Leave a comment below. We’ll share a few responses in the next issue of The Blueprint.

Insights

8 Rules to Do Everything Better. Principles are fundamental truths that can serve as the foundation for a meaningful life. Here are eight that show up time and time again. The Growth Equation (4 minutes)

How to Take the Perfect Nap. Naps can boost memory and learning, no matter how often you take them. With more people working from home, it's easier to fit naps into your day. Here's how to nap effectively. TIME (6 minutes)

Dad’s Essential Role in Making Kids Awesome. Anna Machin is an evolutionary anthropologist, a pioneer of fatherhood science, and the author of The Life of Dad. In this podcast she discusses the role of fathers in human history and how their main role continues to be teaching kids the skills they need to take risks, become independent, and navigate the world beyond their family. Art of Manliness (47 minutes). Shout out to our friends at Art of Manliness!

Take Action

Man Memes

edsbritton

View more on Instagram