As I woke up today, my mind seems to ruminate upon the subject of death. Now, from my personal experiences, I know that quite a number of people are not very comfortable about this subject. I have watched people react in ways that demonstrate clearly that death is not only a repugnant subject of discussion but a terrible enemy.
Sometimes ago, I suggested to my mother the need to write her will. Our family was actually concerned about the lifestyle of one of ours whom we felt was banking on my mum's little inheritance and was not putting his neck to the yoke of labor while he has the energy and the time. My suggestion was based on the idea that if my mum would draft a copy of her will as she want it, and show every member of her family his or her lots with explanation, that might motivate the young man to embrace a change of lifestyle.
Besides, I have watched many families split hairs over the properties of a deceased parent. As a matter of fact, when my dad died, my uncles robbed his widow and children of his properties. We were too young to protest as children, and mum was helpless against a culture that was biased against her just like many others in her shoes.
I think it was Mark Twain who was credited with the saying: A rat that has been burnt once, will never step on any stove whether hot or cold! That is just an artful way of saying once bitten, twice shy. Nevertheless, my mum backed away from the idea of drafting her will on the ground that it was too early.
There is a popular belief in this part of the world that once you have written your will, then you are on your way out. A belief that buttressed the fear people have for death.
Death is inevitable yet many people will rather be kept in the dark about it for as long as possible. Why are so many people uncomfortable with the subject of death?
I do not presume to know it all, and I will be glad to learn from you if you will share your perspective on the subject in the comment session. Here are my thoughts:
Death connote irreparable lost to many
Is death the end of life or not? This is a question that humanity have struggle to answer for ages. Science is disturbingly silent about it. There are too many conflicting and confusing religious and cultural ideologies about death so that people are left to speculation where the subject is concerned.
The true be said, death connote irreparable lost for many. Have you not heard it said over and over again at the demise of a loved one: Sorry about your lost!
Mankind however wished either consciously or unconsciously that there is a hereafter. A fact that is expressed by beliefs such as reincarnation and resurrection that is widely held by many in every corner of the earth.
Can you imagine what this world will look like without death?
Try if you can, to imagine our world as it is without death! Consider the many sufferings in our world without a way of escape. A world where suicide is not an option. A world where you could be sick but you couldn't die. What might such a world look like? Hell? I don't presume to know.
Maybe death is not altogether as bad as we think. Oh yes! not sweet, death is not sweet however we may paint it. Perhaps, not bad either in a world of pain and suffering.
Your belief about death can be a game changer
When it comes to the matter of death, what you choose to belief about it is the determinant factor of your happiness here or hereafter(I do belief there is a hereafter. No worries, you have a right to your belief as well)
Definitely, life is meaningful when you have a future to look forward to. Viktor Frank in his book titled Man's search for meaning, tell of how he survived the Nazi concentration camp because he imagined and looked forward to a time when he will tell his students his survival story.
For those who belief that there is a world where peace, prosperity and justice reign, conflict, pain and injustice here can only intensify their desire for the best that is to come.