Death in View

It's one thing to understand, in the abstract, that you will die. It's another to be able to see your own death.

Elizabeth Kubler Ross mentioned often in her writings that children knew when they were going to die. Dying adults were also reported as knowing the day and helping friends and family to accept it.

This is what makes those arbitrary decades uncomfortable, i.e., 30, 40, 50. Because suddenly you understand that one day you will die and you can see it. Not only is death real and you have no say in the matter but you begin to get a sense of the length of your life. A feel for the end.

The cult of youth makes death much more frightening than it needs to be. For some time I felt it was my fault that I was aging. That I had missed some critical exercise and had allowed myself to age. All this emphasis on staying young makes death a personal failure. Stupid. When accepting your death is really the smartest thing you can do.

If you ignore the popular culture, it is possible to follow the natural path to death. From fear to acceptance to embracing the change. Taking the path is inevitable, so you may as well make a good job of it and do yourself a favor by going clear eyed into that good sunrise.

Written in 2013. Belatedly published. 

For the light

To be open and aware. To accept the light and be the light and welcome the light at all times.