If you have to keep reminding yourself that you don't fear death, is it true?
Everyone who is not already dead is dying. We are all going to die, and that really sucks. I mean, population overloading also sucks, but I don't want to die. I don't deserve to die; I am a good person. There are people who do deserve death, I think... Maybe... How bad is death, really?
If it is coming anyway, surely it is worse to suffer a life of harm first, as the death is always there. But if we adhere to the notion that being alive is worthless until our inevitable end, what is the problem with it ending now instead? I mean, apart from all of the good that will come of my life deserving to happen and the potential ripples of negativity that my death will bring, and the loss of potential positive influence I can bring to others... how much is that worth?
...Guns scare me. There are many people who should not be allowed guns, and I am probably one of them. That terrifying and simple notion that one twitch of a finger could turn everything from me being 'someone who is' to me being 'someone who was'.
Someone who was? Who used to be, but how long does that last? Any belief in an after-life is simply people avoiding their own fear of the void, but what of legacy? The legacy I leave can extend my life, can't it? I can never be immortal, but to every person who utters my name or makes a decision due to my influence... then I'm still alive.
To lengthen my duration to the longest I can within my control, that's what drives me to live. But that's just me, I think anyone who fears death can find it to be their biggest driving force to live - because if this is all there is, then it's the most important thing possible.
I do believe life is good. I probably believe if you're going to live a full life of harm, then death is better, but if there is any notion of pleasure in your life, then the pains are not worth avoiding. Experience is something we thrive on, we are built upon our experiences and use them for learning, and it's the bad experiences that emphasise the good. Aim to increase the good - something to focus on when times are unkind to you.
Here's something to ponder... What do you call the time before you were born? To me, that is death, too. This death isn't upsetting, though, it's just a thing that was, something scarcely considered - so why do we worry about the death yet to come? It isn't a problem, it's just a thing that explains the time when you are not. But you are, so be! Right?
I think of it like this... when I see a shooting star, do I get upset that it's gone - or do I marvel at it's flash? Quite simply, I am excited that I saw it, not upset that is was so short. The brightest of shines with an awe inspiring impact in the space of a breath. Before the experience I knew nothing, but after I am the better for it... And I want to be that. I don't want to fear death, I simply want my shine to have meant something.
So, I don't fear death... Constantly, and specifically.
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