How often do you think about you own death?

Question

And what do you feel about it? Angry, sad, cheated? And do your own belief systems help you to cope?

Answer 1

I rarely think about my own death, but when I do it is usually brought on by some act of stupidity of my own doing. Something like a bit of bad driving or being unkind or rude to someone for no reason.

I don't want to die for selfish reasons, but also because it would devestate my wife who loves me. Much as her death would devestate me. So I try and be careful in my life so I don;t put myself in dangerous situations.

If I were to die, I don't know how I'd feel. If young (I'm 31) I'd feel cheated, but as I have no idea what happens when you die, I can't really be sad/angry about it because it is just one of those things that happens to everyone.

My belief system is routed in the here and now, not in any deity or organised religion as I know there is no way to prove/disprove any of it, so I believe in none of it. Therefore I go into death with an open mind, I will deal with whatever happens 'after' when it happens. I hope the life I have lived here is/was good enough to justify another go if reincarnation exists, of a little spell in heaven if that does, but as I don;t know and don't worship anything, I'll just have to take my chances.

Answer 2

Every day but then I think about life everyday as well.
I would like to live a very long time but it is very unliikely especially as I have an illness.
I find that the more I understand the universes system, the why's, the easier it is to live with crap.
It seems to me that everything that exists, exists within a universal holistic system.
This actually means something but I'm still working on what exactly.
There are works on this subject but I find books can help but they can also mislead.
The key is finding people who understand and live the basic holistic philosophy (even if they themselves do not call it that) as they are honest and truthful and that has been a big help for me.

Answer 3

Id say i think about it 2 or more times a week weather for 1 minute or 20 minutes varies.
Usually I think what if that truck hit me or how my life could end so quickly with no warning.
My feelings are fear, not accomplishing enough to feel satisfied that I lived my life well, and fear of judgment for all the wrongs I made.
coping the only thing that helps me even though I am not religious is to pray and then I feel my soul will be safe when this life does end.

Answer 4

I think most people are reminded of their mortality on a daily basis and I guess I probably think about my death daily in some form or another. I don't really feel anything about it, it's the one certainty in life. If anything I feel sad about having to leave my friends and family, all that you can hope is that they're all there for each other and the bonds remain strong and true.

Answer 5

I work in an undertakers, so death is is around me all day. We have many people of all ages from the very,very young to those who've had telegrams from the Queen. Seeing things as I do,I never think of my own death as such. I just think how lucky I am and how good it is to be alive. Best not to think about it too much until the time comes.

Answer 6

I'm hoping death is a process. Something I can learn to understand. I have experienced death, and lived. I think it's not the same for everyone. For me it is something to be avoided. If I die it will be through no fault of mine. The wages of sin is death and I do not sin. I am the poor, the hungry, the needy-but I have hope that I will heal

Answer 7

I have a recurring dream that I die in a car crash when I'm 62 (23 years to go) I'm ok with my own demise. If that is what God wants who am I to argue. I have no major regrets with my life. So when the end comes I just hope it is a quick, so not to suffer or put my family through lasting heartache.

Answer 8

Belief systems are reduntant,take every second on its own unique merit be objective and open to every thought and experience. True sadness cleanses the soul and is most enriching of all your gods emotions,death is your morning shadow its effect is unquestionable never over-intellectualize the end my friend.

Answer 9

Good Curious Question!
My 34 y/o twin brother Dan Belda a Police Officer in Oklahoma, recently died Christmas 2004. He hung himself at a facility only 2 days before Christmas. One day before I KNEW I would see him again.
Every since Christmas 2004 I have thought about my own death daily. I spent 34 years with someone who is now gone, and I don't understand the meaning of life anymore. It seems utterly stupid to me know.
When I was told he had died, I was telling them he was dead...They had to literally sit on me to calm me down, I didn't believe them...And AT THAT MOMENT I REMEMBER SEEING in my head:
Me and my brother and normal life as we knew it on one side of a curtain, and then all of the sudden these Deputy's confirm my Worst Fear Ever, and The Curtains ARE RIPPED DOWN and Wizard of OZ is on the other side operating everything. I was never so crushed.
I believe that there is NO WAY that ONE CANNOT GET TO HEAVEN. I BELIEVE THAT ALL ROADS LEAD HOME. I BELIEVE THAT IT MATTERS NOT HOW QUICKLY OR SLOWLY YOU DIE EVERYONE GOES. THERE IS NOTHING THAT IS DAMAGING TO GOD. GOD LOVES US UNCONDITIONALLY. I believe he is no longer in pain, but I want to be with him, I feel selfish for not wanting to stay here with my own family. They all need me, but I just want to leave. My mother does my checking, my husband has to help my with my meds everyday, I have issues that keep me from working, my husband is working 2 jobs, I willed myself to shut down once. I did NOT want be here. It seemed like people just didn't understand the bond we had. I'm sorry I am rambling... Thank you Godspeed..twin sister

Answer 10

All the time, subconsciously. A portion of our primal instincts are designed to help us survive. Fear, pain are some of these instincts to help us survive. Say you burnt yourself, your reflexes pull your hand away and you realise that yo don't want to do that again as it may injure and hence kill you. In the same way, if somebody threatens you with a weapon you are afraid, because that person could kill you. Instincts are ever constantly reminding us of our own mortality,