On Death

A brief thought on Death, something we all experience but still fear. We face it when another dies, and we experience loss. Is it right to fear something that you have already signed up for anyway?

Trigger Warning: This practice includes references to death, dying, and the departed.

Transcript

This is a brief thought on death.

Death is a subject most people are not at all comfortable talking about,

Even though it is the one thing we all have in common.

Everyone that is born will one day die.

It is a mathematical certainty.

But the subject of death ranks right up there with mental health,

Religion,

And politics on the list of things we just don't want to talk about.

I think there's a great fear about dying.

But what would make you afraid to die?

Is it a fear of how it will feel?

A fear of the unknown?

Regret over things left undone or unsaid?

Or is it just that when the time comes,

However soon or long that is,

That you won't be ready?

In 2009,

US Airways Flight 1549 crash landed in New York City.

The flight is now famously referred to as Miracle on the Hudson.

After experiencing a bird strike,

Everyone on the plane knew something was wrong.

Then over the loudspeaker came the worst three words,

Brace for impact.

Truly miraculously,

The pilot skillfully landed the plane on the Hudson River in New York City.

Everyone on board survived.

Rick Elias was a passenger on that flight and speaks about his experience and what he learned in the aftermath in his TED Talk.

He had a chance to look at the end of his life,

Realize his regrets,

And then live it backwards.

But most of us aren't given that hard reset opportunity.

Lifus interruptus.

Instead,

We overthink anger,

Hold grudges,

Chase money,

And recognition,

Argue,

Resent,

Regret,

And do nothing.

But the clock continues to wind down.

You are still going to die.

So what do you think about this as a change of mindset?

What if you knew when your life would end,

How much time you had left?

Would you then behave differently in these days leading up to it?

Would you use your time differently to travel,

Make love,

Reconnect with old friends or family members,

Donate your time or money to the less fortunate,

Go to church,

Reach out to your kids,

Tell someone you love to them,

And forgive everything?

Well,

If this would help to know in advance when your life will end,

Then I'm telling you now,

It's coming.

Your life is going to end.

The clock is ticking.

So do those things.

Starting now.

Reviews

As my father faced death he had so many regrets of the things he didn’t do. That was my lesson to start now. Thank you for the poignant reminder!

Love this!

Great reminder of what are some of the most important things to do other than worrying about death. There are many positive and constructive things you can do. Thank you for gifting this to us!

I actually am always interested in the subject of death
As you say no one ever cares to speak of it
As if it may trigger the inevitable. I very much enjoyed the info that you shared. So much food for thought and action. Thank you for changing the course of my life to appreciate and do more.
Namaste

I love a good chat about death and dying. It fascinates me how people are in such denial about the inevitable.

Indeed! Thank you

🙏🙏🙏 as a hospital chaplain I see this every day. Death is my greatest teacher

Important message!

The right message at exactly the right time. Thank you

Thank you 🙏

Excellent mind-shifting words. Thank you!

So true.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts 💭 on death 💀

Excellent

I love this!!!

So sweet and heart felt 💓 Great insights about living a fulfilling life.

Very good. I can control how I live up to when I die. So knowing the outcome in living my life I should get on with the positive actions needed more earnestly and avoid doing my downside stuff and especially as these relate to other people.

i appreciate you talking about the subject of death. the grief is hard enough when you lose someone but the stigma and fear of no one wanting to talk about death is just as hard.

Wise words. Thank You.