I’m going to start with a sad story — but I promise, there’s a silver lining.
A friend’s father was recently told he has terminal cancer, with only weeks to live. The news was a shock to him and the entire family. Do you think he continued life as usual — pub meet-ups, checking in with family, getting lost in business deals?
Not at all. His priorities shifted overnight.
We all know life is finite, but most of us live as though it’s endless. “Someday” we’ll take that trip. “Someday” we’ll mend that relationship. “Someday” we’ll get our affairs in order.
But what if today is that day?
If you could count the days left, what would change? What promises to yourself — or others — would suddenly feel urgent and essential?
That’s exactly what happened to my friend’s father. He’s made peace where it was needed. He’s had heartfelt conversations with the people he loves. He’s even planned a family holiday — something he never would have considered before. He realised that what matters most isn’t routine or business. It’s love. It’s connection. It’s letting people know how much they mean to you.
There’s a brilliant book on this called The Top Five Regrets of the Dying. The most common regret?
“I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.”
Watch this video
After losing a close relative, I covered the 5 regrets in more detail. It felt very poignant at the time, knowing someone I loved had passed with many many regrets.
So here’s my question to you:
If you knew your time was limited — a year, two, maybe three — what would you change?
How would you start living a life that’s truly aligned with who you are?
Our legacy isn’t just in what we do — it’s in the love we give to others and to ourselves. That love becomes a beacon for others, showing them how to live with depth and meaning.
What would you change today, to start living more truthfully and fully?