4DBP= 4 Death Bed Principles

My name is Mike. For eleven years I was a Hospice Chaplain. During my time as a Chaplain I met many amazing and wonderful people. They shared with me their insights on what mattered most to them looking back on the life they lived. I took the truths they shared and narrowed it down to 4 consistent principles. Those 4 principles became what I call the 4 Death Bed Principles, or 4DBP.

Here are the 4 principles with explanations following: 

The 4 principles (most) every man wants to people to remember they exhibited during their life.

1. I was honorable

2. I was accountable

3. I was respectful

4. I was dependable

Honor: when I had to deal with people I treated them fair and square and expected the same.

Accountability: whatever I did or didn't do, I own up to, I take responsibility. I did the best I could with how I understood the world. I accept whatever fate or judgement is given me. 

Respect: everyone believes whatever what they need to believe to make it in the world. I did the same. I did not preach, condemn or condescend. I never told people they were wrong or tried to convince them I was right. I lived and let live. 

Dependability: I did an honest days work for an honest days pay. I carried my weight. When there was work to be done I showed up and did my share. I worked as hard and as long as it took to get the job done and I did it without complaint. 

These are the 4 Death Bed Religion Principles. Written and revised today in my apartment in Dana Point, California.