The man who was afraid to die
Aren't we all? Truth be told, it isn't death that I fear but what leads up to it. If it was an instant death, what is there to fear in that split second? Perhaps just see your life flash before you and regret the things you didn't do (or did), could have or should have done. But fear? Instantaneous death wouldn't have any room for it. And why die and be the last thing you feel is fear?
Now, imagine if you are given a prognosis of few year or months or even weeks left. Any sane person would cherish the remainder of their lives and try to live it to the fullest, doing the things they never could due to work commitments, fear among others. Knowing that they may never be able to fulfill those if not now, they take the plunge. Quite like the heroine in the book, Veronika Decides to Die. In that way, at least, you are given (some) notice before the end. This would probably be the best way to die.
The last would be the worst. Or at least that's what my pretty little head could think of for now. You don't know how long you have got. But from now until then, your every moment will be filled with pain. So much so that you wish that you are dead yet death is the furthest thing that you'll get. Each breath that you take fills you with much dread. Each step that you walk hurts your feet. Each bite that you eat hurts like hell. Each sip that you drink scorches your throat. And there is nothing you can do for relief.
Wouldn't that be a sad way to go? Given our country's (and most parts of the worlds') stand on euthanasia, there is no way to end your misery but to wait in pain.
Though come to think of it, that isn't really so bad either. What would be really bad if you actually live a long life like that. Somehow, this is how we sometimes choose to live our lives. In fear. In shame. In negativity. In sorrow. In depression. If you could do something about it, why don't you? If you can't, why not change your perspective and accept that your life is nothing but misery? Once you get past the depression stage and into the acceptance stage of the Kübler-Ross model, your quality of life will be better. Or at least you'll accept that the pain is part and parcel of your day.
Maybe it's just in our DNA that death is something we know is imminent but still fear at the end of the day. I don't know what I could say or tell him that death isn't such a big thing especially when we all know from the beginning, every living thing must die in the end. Perhaps it's because he's nearer to death than me that it scares him so. He tries to prolong it that sometimes it is a little painful to watch.
To say that I am entirely comfortable with dying is a lie. Part of me is afraid of the unknown. What happens when my heart stops beating? Do I go towards the bright light? Would I be looking down onto the world as it continues like it did before sans me? Or is there just nothing? For all one knows, the fear may just dawn on me... one day.
Now, imagine if you are given a prognosis of few year or months or even weeks left. Any sane person would cherish the remainder of their lives and try to live it to the fullest, doing the things they never could due to work commitments, fear among others. Knowing that they may never be able to fulfill those if not now, they take the plunge. Quite like the heroine in the book, Veronika Decides to Die. In that way, at least, you are given (some) notice before the end. This would probably be the best way to die.
The last would be the worst. Or at least that's what my pretty little head could think of for now. You don't know how long you have got. But from now until then, your every moment will be filled with pain. So much so that you wish that you are dead yet death is the furthest thing that you'll get. Each breath that you take fills you with much dread. Each step that you walk hurts your feet. Each bite that you eat hurts like hell. Each sip that you drink scorches your throat. And there is nothing you can do for relief.
Wouldn't that be a sad way to go? Given our country's (and most parts of the worlds') stand on euthanasia, there is no way to end your misery but to wait in pain.
Though come to think of it, that isn't really so bad either. What would be really bad if you actually live a long life like that. Somehow, this is how we sometimes choose to live our lives. In fear. In shame. In negativity. In sorrow. In depression. If you could do something about it, why don't you? If you can't, why not change your perspective and accept that your life is nothing but misery? Once you get past the depression stage and into the acceptance stage of the Kübler-Ross model, your quality of life will be better. Or at least you'll accept that the pain is part and parcel of your day.
Maybe it's just in our DNA that death is something we know is imminent but still fear at the end of the day. I don't know what I could say or tell him that death isn't such a big thing especially when we all know from the beginning, every living thing must die in the end. Perhaps it's because he's nearer to death than me that it scares him so. He tries to prolong it that sometimes it is a little painful to watch.
To say that I am entirely comfortable with dying is a lie. Part of me is afraid of the unknown. What happens when my heart stops beating? Do I go towards the bright light? Would I be looking down onto the world as it continues like it did before sans me? Or is there just nothing? For all one knows, the fear may just dawn on me... one day.
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