Of all the things to learn about in life, perhaps the one that people may overlook is death. While facing this fact may be hard and tough to swallow, it is an opportunity to rediscover some truths. There are certain life lessons that we only get to learn when death occurs. In this article, we will explore some of the positive lessons that death can teach us about life.
1. Our life should be carefully planned from birth till after death
For the majority of people, what’s difficult about growing up and being an adult is finding a purpose in life. Some people just exist, and eventually, end up dying without having truly lived. But the sad reality of death reminds us that we don’t have forever.
Young and healthy people have this notion that they still have time, but in fact, this is something that may not be a certainty. For instance, we shouldn’t waste time in toxic relationships, jobs we don’t like, or being in situations that mentally drain us. Instead, we should carefully plan out what we should do with our lives when we are still alive.
Planning also doesn’t stop there; it should be extended to the inevitable time when we face death. We should also take the time to plan our funeral so that we can get the final send-off that we want. Especially for religious funerals like a Buddhist funeral, pre-planning funeral arrangements also ensures that you get to convey how to incorporate all the necessary Buddhist funeral customs and rites.
2. Follow your heart into doing what is right
For the tech enthusiasts, perhaps one of the most popular phrases is that of Steve Jobs when he said, “Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose.” Quite often, we miss on opportunities that could have otherwise made our lives better just because we cling to the very things that frustrate us in life. Getting the strength to follow what you truly desire is the ultimate goal for a life well-lived. After all, it is better than living a life with several uncertainties and what-ifs.
3. Don’t trivialize the power of second chances
Despite the many times you falter, stumble, or fall, the sun will always rise in the next day, and you will try again. There is never a wrong time to begin, and neither is it too late to start all over again. There are quite a number of people who have achieved their dreams in their 50s and 60s. And others have actualized in their teens. The right question is to ask if you are truly living the life that you want. If not, you should figure out what you can do to change it.
4. The present counts too – don’t focus solely on the future
There’s a famous phrase among religious people: “Don’t be clouded by thoughts of the future while forgetting that you currently enjoy what you prayed for yesterday.” The future is quite uncertain for everyone. The only sure thing we have is the present, and we should enjoy each moment available to us as though they were our last.
Conclusion
There are quite a number of lessons that only make sense to us when we suffer loss and during trying moments, especially when we attend funeral services. But it is not wise for us to wait until a close loved one dies for us to learn, yet we are fully conscious about our impending death.
However fit and youthful you are, death needs to be talked about with those closest to you so they can understand more about your thoughts, hopes and fears and know what your final wishes are.
