They say we should live each day as if it's our last one on this earth. But suppose it is your last day? Are you really ready to face that? Plenty of people aren't. Perhaps that's why a lot of people find solace in religion. It's a way to come to terms with their own mortality. But there are also others out there who don't fear death or dying at all, and their reasoning seems pretty sound.
Here's what others had to say after Redditor danisomi asked the online community,
"Those who do not fear death, why?"
"When my wife had cancer..."
"Death is peace. What I fear is chronic illness, unbearable pain, being elderly and alone, but not death.
When my wife had cancer, she didn't fear dying. She feared losing her ability to function, and being dependent on others to feed her and bathe her. I think she saw death as a better alternative."
That's fair. A loss of independence is scarier to me than dying. Feeling trapped, not being able-bodied? That's scarier.
"Because it's coming..."
"Because it's coming whether I like it not so might as well accept it and try and get something out of my remaining years. The act of dying on the other hand - that I'm not much a fan of, given the number of unpleasant options available."
"I'm not scared..."
"Because I'm not facing it. I'm not scared of rabid bears right now either."
Okay, but what if YOU SHOULD BE?
Are you ignoring the rabid bears the way humanity is ignoring the realities of climate change?
You think about that.
"I don't know..."
"I don't know what happened before i was born. I also have no idea what happens after death. Why would I be worried?"
Scientific American had a very interesting article a while back about what near-death experiences do to the brain. Worth a read.
"Death is..."
"I work in palliative care and hospice. Death is the one truth we share as humans. None of us get out of here alive. I've worked with patients from one day old to people into their 100s. We don't get to pick our time. Sure, we can speed it up with the choices we make, but it eventually gets us."
"I read once..."
"I won't be asked to do any more public speaking.
I read once that more people fear public speaking than death. At least death just happens once a lifetime."
Okay, maybe not, but perhaps if we try really hard...
"Why fear the end..."
"Life is an adventure with the final destination being the same for everyone. How you reach that end is different for everyone. Why fear the end when you can embrace that it will come and all the time before it is yours to do as you choose.
I'm not afraid of death, but am afraid of wasting my time before death."
We are all on this trip called life and the freakiest thing about it is that none of us is in control... no matter how much we may believe that.
Have some thoughts of your own? Feel free to tell us in the comments below!
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Jane Rosenberg
Jane Rosenberg
@arianagrande/Instagram
@arianagrande/Instagram