I regretted the time I wasted on things that did not matter with people that [do] matter.

Source: "3 Things I Learned While My Plane Crashed." TED2011. Mar. 2011. Conference Presentation. Additional Information: This quote describes one of Ric Elias' thoughts as the plane he was on was about to crash into the Hudson River. Elias is saying that he felt disappointed in himself for the ways he had squandered his time with the important people in his life. Elias goes on to explain that he realized he had often let trivial things like his ego and need to be right get in the way of his relationships with his wife and friends, causing arguments. Since this near-death experience, says Elias, he has let go of such negative energy in regards to his important relationships. The quote is from Elias' 2011 TED Talk on his experience. Watch the full TED Talk here: Ric Elias - 3 Things I Learned While My Plane Crashed