There are some times in life when it seems like events happen in groups or phases. Everyone gets married. Everyone has babies. And the more unfortunate, everyone dies. Okay, may that's a bit morbid. But there have definitely been periods when it seems like everyone is going to funerals.
Recently, during one of those periods, I was talking to a friend about her uncle passing away. He was much older, had lived a long, healthy life, and his health had been deteriorating for a while. So, when he passed away, it wasn't much of a shock to her family. Ultimately, they knew the last few years of his life had been uncomfortable and as a family of faith, that he was relaxing in heaven.
Like a good (socially acceptable) friend, I consoled her, told her I would keep her family in my prayers, asked if there was anything I could do for her...the usual. Suddenly, a thought struck me. Why do we have to pretend to be sad? Maybe it's just me (actually it's quite possible that it's just me), but death doesn't really make me sad. I know everyone says we partially mourn for the people left behind. But I've been one of the people left behind, and I still wasn't sad.
Somehow, I think we've forgotten that the one inescapable part of our life - is that it will end. Everyone. Every time. There are literally no guarantees in our life, except that. It is the one common thread in all human existence. Yet it seems to shock and sadden us every time it happens! Which is every half second. Seriously. Two people die every single second. That means, while you were reading this over 100 people have left this world! (Pause while I go find the nearest job opening at a funeral home...)
Seriously, think about it. Unless you know someone that has discovered immortality, in 80 years or so, every person you know will be gone. Parents, siblings, husbands, wives, friends, celebrities, you name it. Gone.
Some may pass away from cancer or disease, some from tragedies or accidents, some will linger on the edge of death, some will be ripped suddenly from this world. No matter how, where, or when. It will happen to all of us. Okay, enough with the morbidity. I'm not normally this depressing, but I'm setting the stage for a new perspective here....
What if...we stop thinking about death?
At all.
We stop worrying about it, we stop mourning it, we stop prolonging it, we stop paying for it, we stop living for it.
What if we embrace the Truth that at some point we will cease to exist in this world. Everyone (yes you). What if, instead...we start thinking about life? We start taking risks, we start loving people unconditionally, we start sharing, we start forgiving, we start living.
Society tells us to go through life earning beauty, money, fame, and power. For what? So we can pay for medicine, treatments, and influence to keep ourselves alive just a little longer? We live our lives so focused on the ends that we forget that life happens in the means. If you have some miracle way to predict your death, please feel free to share that with the world. Otherwise, hate to break it to you, but you're as clueless as the rest of us.
"Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour." - Matthew 25:13
While you're living for the end result (money, success, etc.) your time here on earth could be over before you even reach your goal! And then what would have been the point?
Instead, imagine if we treated each day as if it was the only day that mattered.
I know that is cliche, but truly, think about it. Instead of being shocked when someone dies, we should be shocked each morning we wake up and get to LIVE. Another breath. Another gift. Another chance to impact the world, or change lives, or just be happy. (Someone should create a greeting card for that..."Congrats, you're alive! Here's your present - another day! Enjoy! Love, God")
If you live like that, how can you not try to live every single day with as much gratitude and happiness as possible? To make the most out of each day?!
Side Note: If any of you are fans of The Walking Dead, or any other show in a chaotic world, you'll notice that the characters eventually stop focusing on death. Death happens so suddenly and frequently, and their situation is so high-risk, that they don't even have time to waste precious minutes grieving. Instead, they spend their (possibly) short time focusing on life and seeking love, happiness, adventure, etc. They wake up each day grateful just to be alive. I would never wish that type of environment on our society (I love living in a wealthy, peaceful, structured nation as much as you!) but I still think there are lessons we can learn from them. Let's be wise enough to learn them without having to experience them ourselves, eh? ;)
Basically, what I'm trying to say - to you and to myself - is that we need a greater appreciation for the life we've been given. We could have five minutes left on this planet or five decades, so why not spend our time focused on Here. Now. Today. That way, the next time someone passes on we don't have to be sad they died, we can be happy they lived!
