Glow Wild
Welcome to Glow Wild. I’m Nicole, mother to two and mother to a stage four cancer warrior, and this is the space where we talk honestly about pain, transformation, and the joy waiting on the other side. Through this podcast, I’m sharing my own story—what it means to keep going when life knocks you down and how hope can rise from the darkest times. If you’re hurting, grieving, or searching for light, you’re in the right place.
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Nicole
Glow Wild
What if Today Was Your Last Day? How to Live More Fully in the Time We Have Left
Bronnie Ware, a palliative care nurse, deeply impacted by her patients’ last reflections, identified five regrets common at life’s end. These include:
- “I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.”
- “I wish I hadn’t worked so hard.”
- “I wish I’d had the courage to express my feelings.”
- “I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends.”
- “I wish that I had let myself be happier.”
Link for listeners: You can read the original article, Regrets of the Dying, by Bronnie Ware here: [Regrets of the Dying – Bronnie Ware]
bronnieware.com
3. Research & Psychology Insights
Living Intentionally Enhances Well-Being
- Setting Intentions = Better Health & Happiness
A 2021 study by Eric S. Kim and colleagues finds that people with clear intentions or a “micro purpose” experience longer life, better sleep, more happiness, and less loneliness
Psychology Today. - Intentional Kindness Amplifies Joy
A 2023 study in the Journal of Experimental Psychology: General by Kumar and Epley showed that performing small acts of kindness brings more happiness to recipients than givers expect
Psychology Today.
Paths to a Good Life
- Three Dimensions of Well-Being
Contemporary research by Oishi and colleagues outlines three major paths to a “good life”:- Happy Life: marked by joy and comfort
- Meaningful Life: rooted in purpose and connection
- Psychologically Rich Life: built on novelty, transformation, and managing discomfort
- A psychologically rich life, though sometimes disquieting, can be deeply rewarding.
The Washington Post
Your Citations in Summary
- Bronnie Ware’s regrets:
Wikipedia
bronnieware.com - Link to her article:
bronnieware.com - Intentional living benefits:
Psychology Today - Good life dimensions:
The Washington Post - PERMA model:
Wikipedia - Broaden-and-build theory:
Wikipedia - Gratitude and joy research:
Verywell Mind
SELF
The Washington Po