Biggest regrets in life

Let's take a look at 2 possible titles of an article:

The 25 biggest accomplishments in life. What are yours?
vs
The 25 biggest regrets in life. What are yours?

Which title will you most likely read? I guess you will probably read the latter which contains the negative word 'regrets' instead of the former which contains the positive word 'accomplishments'. Somehow, the first title suggests a self-centred person trying to flaunt his success story. However, that's not what is suggested in the article, else I won't be sharing it here.

The article is actually about what are the biggest regrets at the death beds. So perhaps, if the author had chosen "The 25 biggest accomplishments spoken at the death beds" would also be a good title?

1. Working so much at the expense of family and friendships
This is pretty much said but very little practiced. People are going to retort you by saying that there's no choice, you have a family to feed. If you don't work, then who is going to feed them? Well, your work is never finished. New work comes to you everyday. You have to prioritize the work into important and not so important. Important work definitely have to be completed on time to keep you in your job, I guess there is no choice for this type. However, on the less important and mundane type, what is the minimum level of work that you can accept. If you can only accept 'perfect' work, then I guess you have chosen that work is more important than your family and friends and that the promise you make about "making up to the family during the weekend" as suggested in the article will never come to fruition.

2. Standing up to bullies in school and in life
Either my school is kind, or I wasn't too bothered by bullies so I can't really think of anything here. There's no need to feel regretful about them unless they really made you lost a whole lot. 

3. Stayed in touch with some good friends from my childhood and youth
Childhood friends are good memories. I don't think it really matter if you have stayed in touch with those from childhood as long as you have true buddies in the here and now that you stay in touch with.

4. Turned off my phone more/Left my phone at home
If you use your phone during your own alone time, it sounds quite reasonable. If you are dining with someone, and you keep typing away on your phone, it shows how much important the person is to you. 

5. Breaking up with my true love/Getting dumped by them
I was a little puzzled by this heading, but by reading the article, I think it roughly means if you have someone you love now, don't keep thinking back to the past lovers that you once had. Something on the line of don't compare them. People are different and they love in different ways. I don't think you can say that one way is more noble than another way. I have read many other articles about what are the type of boyfriends girl should look out for and frankly, those articles are describing a very idealistic person. You can probably find that person in Utopia. I won't be sharing those articles unless you are interested in reading for amusement. 

6. Worrying about what others thought about me so much
This must really be a great regret since it has appeared in all my 3 recent posts (including this). Yet, it's difficult to let go of this perception.

7. Not having enough confidence in myself
I think I have confidence problem, but I do try to improve. I am very sure I am more confident as compared to my secondary school days or even my uni days. Being a volunteer does help a lot on this.

8. Living the life that my parents wanted me to live instead of the one I wanted to
I guessed I let go of this notion during my junior year in uni, the year I started volunteering.

9. Applying for that “dream job” I always wanted
I think I'm in the job I want. But that does not exclude the possibility that I could take on another job in future. 

10. Been happier more. Not taken life so seriously
"笑也是一天，哭也是一天。" is a very cliche sentence that people who take life too seriously never like to hear. Laughing doesn't mean that you are not serious, talking solemnly doesn't mean that you are dead serious since you can always eat your words later. I see no wrong laughing while doing family planning, it's a joy to begin with. I see no wrong in laughing while discussing serious subjects such as the uncertain future. Who knows, by being humourous about the matter, it may lead you to some unexpected outcomes that are even better than those that are discussed solemnly over a meeting table. Power of humour has long been suppressed. However, I do not approve of people who go to funerals tell jokes and laugh out loud.
 http://hqasia.org/article/no-laughing-matter-humour-innovation-and-effectiveness

11. Gone on more trips with the family/friends
It's kind of tough to organize trips for my family. 

12. Letting my marriage break down
I don't know about this.

13. Taught my kids to do stuff more
It's difficult when both parents have to work and have no time for their children, but it's no excuse that you can't teach them and have to send them to all the different courses available commercially.

14. Burying the hatchet with a family member or old friend
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15. Trusting that voice in the back of my head more
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16. Not asking that girl/boy out
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17. Getting involved with the wrong group of friends when I was younger
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18. Not getting that degree (high school or college)
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19. Choosing the practical job over the one I really wanted
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20. Spending more time with the kids
It's the order of your priority list. 

21. Not taking care of my health when I had the chance
Health is important. Eat in moderation, exercise regularly.

22. Not having the courage to get up and talk at a funeral or important event
I'm glad I can safely say that I am able to deliver a speech more fluently than on my very first try as a secondary 1 boy. 

23. Not visiting a dying friend before he died
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24. Learning another language
Not a problem here, everyone is bilingual. Oops, I forgot about those who didn't go through the education here.

25. Being a better father or mother
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When you attend talks about how to strike a work-life balance, the speaker might tell you to go exercise, spend time with family and friends, go do something you like etc. Then there will always be people who say that these of course they know, what a waste of time attending that talk. I will have to agree on that part on the waste of time. People know they have to do all those things. What they have to know is that they need to change their mindset and set their priorities. My thoughts of that is already written in point 1.

Leave you with this ad of McDonalds.

If your child says "See you on Saturday." on a Monday, it is quite serious. Glad this dad made it a point to have breakfast with him. Hope it's not a once off thing though.