5 Ways to think about death that aren’t scary at all.
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Have you ever met someone with zero fear of death? Neither have I. A person with no fear of death might be the definition of a fool.
But I’ve met too many people who are paralyzed at the thought of death. What about you? Does the thought of death keep you from living a full life? If you are so afraid of the Grim Reaper you cower in fear then you are dead already because you will never live a full life.
Death is not a unique path trod by only a few. It is the path everyone takes.
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50 years ago my teacher forced me to memorize this line of poetry; “I have a rendezvous with death, when spring comes back with rustling shade and apple blossoms fill the air…but I have miles to go before I sleep.” But now, there aren’t as many miles to travel. The end of the journey is much closer than when I learned those lines.
The older you get, the more you think about the end of life. When the Grim Reaper gets closer most people start to panic. But wouldn’t you like to spit in the Grim Reaper’s face? Imagine the scene. The big scary black hooded monster gets so close you can see his leering gaze. He expects you to shiver or panic. But as he draws near you hit him right between the eyes with a big wad of spit; followed up with a big grin.
Is it possible? I’m not sure. I’ve never been that close to death. But I’m working on how to minimize my fear of the Grim Reaper.
There is the reality part.
When I die I’m doing what billions of others have already done. Death is not a unique path trod by only a few. It is the path everyone takes. Death gives me something in common with Winston Churchill, C. S. Lewis, Jesus Christ, Genghis Kahn, and Bozo the Clown. It is a door through which everyone must travel. Why should I be exempt from this path?
There is the medical part.
Medical science has progressed to the place where death can be better managed. Medications can be given to diminish or even extinguish pain. Many years ago people with certain diseases knew they were in for an agonizing death. This reality is not as great. Improvements in this area continue. This helps lessen the fear of an agonizing death.
There is the religious part.
There are many different religions in the world which have something to say about the afterlife. Whatever religion you are aligned with there is often comfort in contemplating death. Even the atheist can say death brings the end of suffering. As a Christian I believe the afterlife is not a scary proposition. Your chosen religious path can help with the fear of death.
There is the legacy part.
I’m working to leave behind a positive legacy. For those who take legacy building serious there is comfort in knowing part of them will live on. A life well lived, in some ways, is never over. The acts of love, the lives impacted, the small or big ways in which you made the world a better place do not die.
There is the value part.
Light only has meaning in the context of darkness. A flashlight in the noon day sun means nothing. Life is similar. In this world life is made more precious by death. Death is what makes life precious. Talk to someone who is told he has only one month to live. Ask him if those 30 days are more precious than ever. Death, in a strange sort of way, gives life meaning.
There is the adventure part.
I want someone to put this on my tombstone; “Good thing I like to travel.” Death is the last great adventure. It is traveling to parts unknown. No one knows what death is like. I reject the baloney stories told by people who “died” and came back to life and made big bucks telling their story. Death remains a mystery which can only be revealed when we take part in the great adventure.
I’m not planning on dying any time soon. But I’m getting ready for when the Grim Reaper comes knocking on the door. If he thinks I’m going to whimper and cower when he shows up he’s in for a surprise. Until then, I’m going to practice my spewing accuracy. Bullseye. Right between the eyes.
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Photo: Pixabay