The Rising Value of Time
Just as
market principles dictate that scarcity increases value, the psychological
worth of time rises sharply as we age and recognize how little of it remains.
With this in mind, building a life free of regrets requires us to listen to our
inner voice, identify what truly matters, and act on those desires while we
still can. Surveys of elderly individuals consistently highlight common
regrets: "I should have followed the path I believed in," "I
should have pursued what I truly wanted," and "I should have taken
more risks—failures would have been insignificant in the grand scheme of
life." While following our dreams involves risk, older people often
realize that mistakes made in youth are easier to correct, making reasonable
risks worthwhile. If we suppress our deepest aspirations out of excessive
caution, those buried feelings may resurface later, triggering regret. At the
same time, many come to accept that dwelling on the past is futile. By
fostering self-esteem, they ultimately find peace, recognizing that regrets
need not define the present.