Do you ever think about how you’re going to get old and die one day? Does it scare you?
The idea that I am going to get old and die one day helps me find pleasure, motivation, and meaning in my life.It enhances pleasure, because I am reminded to enjoy what I am granted in life today. I try to savor and be grateful for my current experience of life, including the insights and ideas I am given, my body’s capabilities, the wonderful people around me, and the opportunities that are put in front of me. I expect all these things to change as I age, and end when I die, so I try to really enjoy them while I have them. Even if I like what comes tomorrow better, I still want to savor today.Similarly, I am motivated to make the most out of what I have today because it will change and end. If youth and life were endless, my procrastination might become endless as well. While the idea of limitless opportunities to try again might sound tempting, I work harder knowing there is a buzzer at the end of the game.Finally, meaning. Given the limitations of my capabilities and the endpoint of my death, life becomes more than simply its pleasures and accomplishments. It becomes a story with a beginning, middle, and end. This is where I find meaning, because I want to create the best story I can within the limitations I have been given. What lives have I touched within the time and space allowed? Where have I managed kindness and mercy while there was still time? How have I used the gifts I’ve been given?Do I ever feel fear around aging and death? Certainly, at times. I fear I may not age gracefully. I fear I may suffer. I fear that I will end, although I suspect this is just a biological impulse. When I feel these fears, I let them remind me to enjoy, accomplish, and create meaning in what I have today.
Have you thought about the day you die?
No, I assume it will happen. However, I am pretty certain know how it will end. I possess two transplanted organs (kidney/pancreas) and was a diabetic for 30+ years before the transplant. I have been advised that most transplant patients don’t die of old age, but instead die of un-natural causes. In my cases, that means: heart attack, stroke, a return of diabetes, or cancer from the immuno drugs I take twice a day.Most of the deaths aren’t too sudden nor painful. Most resemble sickness with hospital stays. Not too appealing, so I am trying to build a work around plan for that outcome. I am hoping that this might not occur for another 30 years, but I will be ready when it comes.I have packed a bunch of living into one life. Even if I don’t wake up for breakfast. But, if that happens, I would love one last breakfast at Charlie’s Chili next to the Newport Beach Pier, where the fishing fleet comes in. It’s across the street from my other favorite restaurant, “The Crab Cooker.” I’ve been going there since 1965. So, if the doctors can’t find my body - it means I found my way to Newport for a day’s worth of great food and a good ride at the Wedge on a gigantic day.I try to pack in as much living in one day as I can. I don’t ever recall being bored with life. My only complaint is that I have to stop for sleep. There’s so much to learn and so much to do. I find myself working on the computer when its nice and quiet. I want to finish my 5 current projects, and get 5 more so I stick to five and make them finish up right.So, I am guessing I will finish up one night next to my Macbook Pro with a half completed project that is starting to look real good. And, I want that to happen on a brand new Mac OS 25 v.7.Good luck, Mac
How to tell a 5 year old about death?
Yesterday I had to tell my daughter her great grandma passed away. I started by telling her something she could relate to by talking about our dog that had passed away a year ago and went to heaven. (My daughter had known my grandma was in the hospital sick for a couple weeks and praying for her). I had explained that great grandma passed away and was in heaven. We talked about how she was reunited with all her family, our dog, and Jesus. Unfortunately today her aunt that she lives with when at her dads (on the weekends, her father and I are not together) passed away this morning. She was 25 and this was sudden. She is very close with her aunt. I am not sure how to explain to her someone else has died that she loves. She seemed to understand and was okay about her great grandma after our conversation. I m afraid telling her another person has died will be too hard on her. I am looking for some advice if anyone has gone through this (if you have i am very sorry) or has any ideals.
كُلُّ نَفْسٍ ذَائِقَةُ الْمَوْتِ : Every soul shall have a taste of death. Muslims please reply?
Asalaam Alaikum brother, I am a muslim revert. 4 months now :) so here it goes Unfortunatly you are right, we do not remember everyday that we may go at anytime, may Allah forgive us and grant us a peaceful death when it comes. The best way you can go about trying to remember is by doing good. remember that every small thing you do, you will be held accountable for on the day of judgement. Alhumdulilah. Allah will forgive you when you ask him, make dua to remind you he is there, look at the world every day in a different light, Allah has made this world perfect for life and growth. if it turned by 2 degrees.. even one degrees, my brother, we'd perish. How is it that this world can be so perfect, the only things on this earth that are not perfect, is us. May Allah protect us. We do wrong to this beautiful earth that has been GIVEN to us, we do wrong to the people that have been put here. Remember brother, being mindful and god fearing is the only way to be certain that you will live a life that when you leave, it will be the opposite of when you were born. Instead of people smiling and you crying, you will be smiling and everyone else will be crying. Imgine the day you pass someone says ah he had it coming. No.. not a nice thought. You'd want people to say he will be missed, he tried hard to please Allah, he was a lovely man and may Allah grant him Jannah. Another way is remember that Jannah will come to those who earn it. I'm sure you will want to earn Jannah, only by doing good will Jannah be given, and remember, the most beautiful place you can think of, does not even begin to start to compare to Jannah, it is and will be better of anything you can think of.May we be granted Jannah.Insha'Allah This is how I want to live my live. Remembering every thing I do will affect my passage to Jannah. Why would i want to jepordize that.. I hope this has helped my brother Jaza kAllah for asking this. I have been struggling lately. Salaam
This one is for the Seniors who know a lot of old wives tales?
Old wives tales are best ignored. I had a neighbour who had been brought up on old wives tales to the extent that she dare not do certain things for fear of losing someone in her family. She was actually told that doing the washing on that day would 'bring someone new into the family and wash someone out' - in other words a birth and a death. She was extremely careful how she ironed bed sheets and table cloths. She had to ensure that, when opened, there was not a 'diamond' in the middle. This diamond is formed if the fourfold piece of cloth becomes bent over at the 'centre' corner (hope that makes sense). If you iron over that badly folded centre then open up the material you will have ironed in a diamond shape and that is 'supposed' to be very bad luck when you shake the sheet or cloth open. She used to spend ages ironing these items to perfection, checking and rechecking that there would be no 'diamond' there next time she used the item. Her life revolved around old wives tales and superstitions and she was one of the most miserable and anxious people I have ever met. If these silly predictions were true then everyone who washed on New Years Day would lose a loved one, not just one here and there around the world. Our lives are in the hands of our Creator, not the washing machine, the iron or any other man made 'power'.