Mortality is a fascinating topic, as most people are pretty desperate to avoid the idea that one day we’ll be no more. However, intriguingly, if you can embrace the inevitable it’ll allow you to live a fuller life. Death is essentially just the final part of life. It would appear most people have a variety of fears around death, be it not seeing life carry on when they’re gone or potential incapacity and pain before they go.
Lots of people manage to either waste time worrying about death or just ignore it entirely. In ignoring it though, they don’t put things in place to assist them when the time comes. The bottom line, like any attempt to predict the future, is it’s futile and a waste of precious time. We really can’t know what’s going to happen at our end. None of us know if it’ll be an accident, disease or “old age”. Although even old age, isn’t really an actual cause of death. It’s just when the bodies worn out somewhat and we’re more vulnerable to infection or organs giving out.
Even as I type this I can imagine people being turned off and wondering why someone who’s normally so positive is going on about such morbid things. However, following Atul Gawande’s book, “Mortality”, it’s really key that we all think about it. To put things in place, especially as our life marches on, to take care of ourselves and loved ones at the ends of our lives. That way we get to have the fullest life we can, right up to the end. I really encourage you to read Atul’s book, it’s very gently done and is a much needed eye opener.
Anyone that’s read more than a few of my posts will be aware that I’m all about getting the most from the precious little amount of time we get on this glorious planet. To find ways to make the most of what we have around us. This topic is just a natural follow on to that. Because if we don’t even think about how our lives might end, how do we do justice to our lives now? If we put things off, to do later, well, that might be an error of judgement. Why not just get on with what you’d like to do and will bring fulfilment to you and those around you?
If you’re lucky enough to get a while to contemplate the end of your life, make sure you put plans in place to maximise your quality of life. Think what’s actually important to you. I suspect you’ll find it’s time spent with friends and family. Then make lots of time for that, let it boost you and make the time you have left as fruitful as possible. Make sure when caring for others you listen to what they’d like to make the end of their life feel fulfilling for them. Do you best not to be scared of asking what seem tricky questions. Once you start talking about stuff, you’ll find it’s not too bad after all. People really do like getting things off their chests.
If you can learn to live with the reality that one day you’ll be no more, it really can allow you to make even more of the time you have now. You’ll find you waste even less of this most precious of our resources. Do your best not to be afraid, confront reality, accepted and work with it. That way you’ll feel you have a level of control over what your life looks like, right up to the end. It really isn’t morbid, it’s prudent and actually oddly life affirming…
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