Listen, time is precious and life is tenuous....?

Question

I have had several people in my life die in the past 5 yrs, including my father--of a massive heart attack, a coworker who also died of heart attack, one who died saturday of a brain anuerism, a co-worker who died of cancer and all in their 40's. I am 40-- will turn 41 soon, and suddenly I am aware of my mortality...In my 20's I felt invincible, and even in my 30's I felt as though I had many yrs left, but now, I am not so sure...I guess I ask, "why not me?'' Is it just me or are those of you in your 40's feel this way. Now I feel I want to hurry up and accomplish what has been left for "another day," and certianly I want to be around for my children. It's just that the care free sense is gone. Don't get me wrong, i'm not running scared, but every now & then, it hits me, that i'm privileged to be alive, to live in the united states, to not be in a daily struggle for survival and I am humbled...and greatful. Do you ever ponder this???? what will the eulogy be...

Answer 1

Death, the unknown frontier.We eventually all meet up with our mortality and realize death escapes no one. Some of us learn it very early in life. And then, I have friends that are in their 40 and 50's who has yet, had to deal with lossing a family member or friend. So until this happens, they don't understand what I call, the "reality check." I am no stranger to the rain. Among my first memories are me going to funerals for loved ones. I remember finding out, when someone died, you will never see them again. It set in on me, how final death was. I was scared for years. I finally was able to make peace with death realizing its not a ending, but a new beginning. I have had a couple of surgeries in the last couple of years, and I always make arrangement for things, in case I never get to return home. The older I get, the stronger I sense deaths presences. I, too, feel privileged for my life. I also feel fortunate that my life has been easier than most. Being tuned in to death we have a opportunity, that most don't because of dying young or being in denial, to get our affairs in order. We also have to be sure that the remainder of our life is eventful. Don't waste any of our moments and never take things for granted. Always, end battles, regardless of pride. Make sure when someone leaves your home, you hug them like you may never see them again. Always end a conversation with something meaningful and uplifting. Make sure we are proud of the things we do. This is the best, we can do. I don't think this awareness that happens to everyone eventually, is suppose to weigh us down with worry or avoid living life, in hopes to secure a longer journey. I think the conciousness is to mentally prepare for the inevitable, and have the opportunity that those taken young don't. Which is to be more in tune, that death can come at any time, any where at any moment. I was told a long time ago that as far as funerals goes, they are not for the deceased. But for the loved ones left behind,... to help ease their pain. So, I don't even think about a eulogy. I just concentrate on the way I live life, and hopefully loved ones will have good things to say about me.

Answer 2

Certainly, as I get closer to an age that friends or family have transitioned, I could start to think about death. As I have people around me expire, I could be drawn to conversations about "achieving" something or leaving a "legacy". Here are a few thoughts for you to ponder:

1) There is no death. Certainly, the physical body can "wear out" and cease to function. However, the thing that is "you" doesn't. You are energy, expressed as a physical being. Your consciousness is energy. You can't "kill" energy. It carries on. The "energy" that is "you" has always been and will always be. "You" won't die.

2) The life as you know it will cease to be. Yes, you will survive some and you will leave some behind you So, MAKE THE MOST OF EVERY MOMENT YOU HAVE. You never know when it may be the LAST moment this version of you will have with this version of them.

3) Someone once asked Jesus what the biggest difference would be in heaven. His reply was not recorded in the "official version" of the bible. It does survive in other texts. He said, "there will be no time". The concept of "time" is a man-made invention. If you think about it, the only time you EVER HAVE... is NOW. So, what is the best use of your energy...NOW? Be fully present with whomever you're with. Enjoy the moments you have. Learn what you came to learn. Shed what you came to shed. Give what you came to give. "Transition" with no regrets.

I wish you Peace.

Answer 3

Humbled and grateful. I share this same sentiment. Life is a gift, and you never know what day or hour your soul will be required of you. I have pondered my own existence many times, as well as my death. It is certainly inescapable.
This also fills me with an anxiousness to achieve my goals. I have had several relatives and friends who've passed away, also in the past 5-7 years. It has always heightened my sense of mortality, watching them covered in dirt. Time is not our friend.
Do you believe in heaven and hell? God and the devil? When you die, will you feel ready to meet God and be welcomed in to heaven? I don't think death is painful, just merely the process of your consciousness leaving your body and mind. Maybe that energy is eternal? Maybe that is where the soul is?
We're all privileged to be alive, to be able to experience this life and all that is available to our senses. Everyday above ground is a good day. Your eulogy will be a reflection of the thoughts and emotions you have inspired in others. How will you be remembered?

Answer 4

So I am not alone. 1st husband age 33 gone in '90, Mom '94, Dad '05. Now 49 and recovering from my second back surgery facing a possible end to a 32 year career - mortality been on my mind recently. Momentarily let us put away the "you should be grateful for..." and discuss what exactly it is we fear? In my case death is not to be feared but the end of the journey. Serious illness is another story altogether. Scares the hell out of me beyond belief. Since my career has been spent in hospitals dealing with the worst of the worst my personal mortality journey is starting to resemble "Let's Make A Deal". Like you I have no intention of throwing in the towel but it appears that our "magic mirror" starts to show its cracks at 40+ and we have to take a good long look at our lives and the decisions we have made. Good Luck Honey - you are not alone.

Answer 5

properly, i ought to probable merely kill myself if i ought to easily pay interest to 5 albums for something of my existence yet i will do a itemizing besides "Nocturnal" with suggestions from The Black Dahlia homicide "outer side ll" with suggestions from outer side "Leprosy" with suggestions from lack of existence "journey The Lightning" with suggestions from Metallica "Born this way" with suggestions from lady Gaga so that you've some somewhat heavy present day metal, some better melodic present day metal, and then some classic somewhat heavy metal, some classic better melodic metal, and then a pop album to make sure i do not easily lose my ideas after I get metal-ed out BQ : Metallica BQ2 : i don't think of so BQ3 : properly, i'm a drummer, no longer a guitarist. So i will't somewhat say what's maximum technical without speaking out of my at the back of. yet a number of my well known guitar solos off the proper of my head are from : "Scream Bloody Gore" with suggestions from lack of existence "tornado Of Souls" with suggestions from Megadeth "Caustic are the binds that bind" with suggestions from Trivium "What a terrible evening To Have A Curse" with suggestions from The Black Dahlia homicide "Fade To Black" with suggestions from Metallica