Jorge Luis Borges was an 85-year-old man who had just learned that he had only a few days left to live. I first heard of him a few years ago at a conference on lifestyle financial planning and I still remember the power of his words today:
“If I had my life to live over again, I’d try to make more mistakes next time.
I wouldn’t be so perfect. I would relax more. I’d limber up.
I’d be sillier than I’ve been on this trip.
In fact, I know very few things that I would take seriously.
I’d be crazier. I’d be less hygienic.
I’d take more chances.
I’d take more trips, I’d climb more mountains, I’d sail more seas.
I’d swim more rivers, I’d go to more places I’ve never been to.
I’d eat more ice cream and fewer beans.
I’d have more actual troubles and fewer imaginary ones!
You see, I was one of those people who lived sanely and sensibly hour after hour, day after day, year after year.
Oh, I’ve had my moments, and if I had it to do over again, I’d have more of those moments – moment by moment by moment.
I’ve been one of those people who never went anywhere without a thermometer, a hot water bottle, a raincoat and a parachute.
If I had it to do all over again, I’d travel lighter next time.
If I had it to do all over again, I’d start out earlier in the spring and stay away later in the fall.
I’d ride more merry-go-rounds,
I’d watch more sunrises,
I’d play with more children,
If I had my life to live all over again…
But you see…
I don’t.”
Jorge Luis Borges
Given the choice, would you want a chance to reflect on what could have been? The ironic thing is that, when considering the answer to that, we often fail to see the obvious – we already have it! Every single waking second is an opportunity to live life with no regrets. Tell the people you care about that you love them. Visit the city you always dreamed about. Buy the shoes that you will probably never wear again. Eat the cake.
Stop thinking about how you will feel if you reach the end of your life and start living it today.
How to die with no regrets
Life is fragile and it can end at any moment. Death doesn’t discriminate and in the end, it’s a fate destined for all of us. Sometimes, like Jorge Luis Borges, we know it’s coming. We get chance to make peace with it and prepare ourselves, and those around us, for the inevitable. For many though, we will simply stop being here.
After a challenging few years unlike anything we have experience before, make this the year you start living with no regrets so that when the time comes, you will die with no regrets too. It’s a sensitive subject but it’s also one that can liberate you. To speak about how you can plan your finances to live your life with no regrets, or about inheritance tax and estate planning so you don’t have to worry about those you leave behind, please get in touch.
This article does not constitute financial advice and should not be construed as such.