With as much unpredictability and excitement that comes at the birth of a life, so comes death, except with feelings of angst and worry rather than excitement.
As the reality of life becomes more clear as we age, we look for ways to avoid our ultimate fate. We control what we eat, exercise, and ask our doctor if there is anything we can do to be healthier. Often times, not for the right reasons.
We don’t make this investment into our health to reap the rewards on a day-to-day basis (at least not as our primary intent); we do this to delay the imminent reality of death, often without knowing why.
Over time and across many different cultures, the human race has looked to extend life as long as possible, even going so far as to explore the possibility of immortality.
The stark truth, however, is that death will come for us all. Time holds no record of desire or right and wrong, and without a doubt, we will succumb at some point.
As beautiful and natural is the birth of a child, so should be the passing of one spirit into a different, unknown form.
Perhaps what scares people the most is not knowing when this day will come. In worrying about death, people walk through life asleep, and die never having really lived. Could there be a greater tragedy than this?
Knowing that death will take us away as birth brought us in, the seemingly only reasonable solution is to live each day as our last. To interact with the world in a carefree, reckless sense, holding back nothing from the mortal human experience. When we do just this, we find the purpose to life. A purpose of love, compassion, and experience.
“So live your life that the fear of death can never enter your heart. Trouble no one about their religion; respect others in their view, and demand that they respect yours. Love your life, perfect your life, beautify all things in your life. Seek to make your life long and its purpose in the service of your people.Prepare a noble death song for the day when you go over the great divide. Always give a word or a sign of salute when meeting or passing a friend, even a stranger, when in a lonely place. Show respect to all people and grovel to none. When you arise in the morning give thanks for the food and for the joy of living. If you see no reason for giving thanks, the fault lies only in yourself. Abuse no one and no thing, for abuse turns the wise ones to fools and robs the spirit of its vision. When it comes your time to die, be not like those whose hearts are filled with the fear of death, so that when their time comes they weep and pray for a little more time to live their lives over again in a different way. Sing your death song and die like a hero going home.” ― Chief Tecumseh