Can Reflecting On Death Lead to a Better Life?
WHILE WE ALL KNOW that we cannot live forever, our departure from the world still remains a taboo subject for many. Such a shame, because contemplating death can shed much needed light upon the human experience and gives us a more accurate depiction of reality.
How so, you ask? As we habitually become mired in the minutia of daily life, an honest, thoughtful inquiry into death often facilitates a sobering examination of human existence itself, thus shifting our attention back to life's fundamental issues, including our own mortality and the purpose of our being. As a result, one comes to realize that without death life would be much less meaningful, as we would be able to put off our duties indefinitely.
Not surprisingly, people who have yet to conduct such an inquiry wind up doing just that—failing to recognize that the heart and mind are not the body's permanent employees. They are simply temps whose work will someday be complete.
Although it is understandable why these individuals would want to avoid conversations regarding death, they may experience some difficulty in living a productive life until they come to terms with the fact that each of us has an expiration date and that the stopwatch is ticking.
But nobody should ever fear their ultimate fate because accepting it encourages one to place greater emphasis on quality of life and the legacy he or she wants to leave for posterity, where it is often beneficial to sacrifice short-term pleasure for long-term satisfaction.
Wherever you happen to be in your lifelong journey, please don't ignore death, for it may help you find the road to a happier life.
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