Hit by a Bus

What if you were hit by a bus tomorrow?

Recently I posed this question to myself: If I was to be hit by the proverbial bus tomorrow what would I regret not having done, or done more of? I admit the question isn’t a very original one and the answer came to me quickly: reading more books for pleasure.  I used to be a voracious reader of novels. Nothing gave me greater pleasure than sitting in a cozy nook reading a good book. So what happened to this simple pleasure? How did it go by the wayside?

About 15 years ago I switched my reading from fiction to nonfiction. I read just as much now as I ever have, but the books I read are self-development or professional development books. They reflect my commitment to personal growth, continual learning and evolving to be the best version of me. With that simple hit-by-a-bus question I wondered how I could accommodate this past passion of mine and avoid a deathbed regret.

Thankfully, I got some good tips from my Forever Fit and Fun Facebook group.

I also received some advice from a book I was reading at the time called Tiny Habits by BJ Fogg, (insert ironic laugh). A few Forever Fit and Fun members advised that they read at the end of the day, in bed, before they turn the lights out. While I have always like this idea in theory, the lighting in my bedroom is not conducive to reading in bed at night. This is where the Tiny Habits suggestion comes in. If you want to create a new habit, one of the best ways of doing this is to design it in. So I thought, “Okay Jill, how about creating better lighting in your bedroom for reading at night?”

As it turned out that was a simple fix! Now I take myself to bed half an hour earlier than usual and spend 30 glorious minutes reading a book for the pure pleasure of it. If I’m lucky, my husband will join me with whatever book he is reading. Double bliss!

So I pose the question to you: If you were to be hit by a bus tomorrow what would you regret not having done, or done more of it?

I have no doubt you can come up with at least one thing. Whether that be calling a friend for a chat, learning a particular skill you’ve been meaning to learn, going on a particular holiday, visiting a particular destination, reading a particular book. The bottom line is this: we may indeed live to 100 years old and there may be plenty of time to do all the things we want to do, but what if there isn’t? What can you action today, so that if you kicked the bucket tomorrow it would be a happy kick?

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