Everyone’s life is different — yet most people still utter one of four common phrases on their deathbeds, according to Pulitzer Prize-winning author and oncologist Siddhartha Mukherjee.
Each of the phrases offers an important lesson for leading a fulfilling and successful life, Mukherjee said during a commencement speech at the University of Pennsylvania last week. “Every person that I’ve met in this moment of transition wanted to make four offerings,” he added.
The phrases are:
- I want to tell you that I love you.
- I want to tell you that I forgive you.
- Would you tell me that you love me?
- Would you give me your forgiveness?
People who know they’re dying often express some variation of one of those four themes — indicating that they…
