In the midst of life we are in death.

by worrylessjourney, posted in answers, anxiety, balance, death, fear, Live!, sadness, viewpoint

In the midst of life we are in death. This phrase is often heard at funerals. What does this mean? It is a reminder that life and death are linked. From the moment we are born we are dying. That is not morbid it is just the truth. In fact, from the moment we are conceived we are dying. We are set into motion like the winding of a clock. At some point it will wear down and stop. In our world it can be snuffed out by an illness, accident or crime but nevertheless we each have an expiration date.

laotzu1-2x

Some cultures accept this fact easier than those of us in the western world. We worry about death. We can feel fear and panic just thinking about it.

Before I was a nurse I had ideas about death. I never wanted to think about it or be with someone at their death.  After being at many deaths I have changed my feelings. I have seen people in so much distress that death is a friend.

Most of the people I have been with just slipped quietly away. No anxiety, no visible fear. Some spoke to relatives on the other side. Whether they really saw them I don’t know but I would like to think they did. Some expressed peace.

A long time ago I complained to a minister friend that I was upset about the death of a child in an accident. I fumed that her life had been cut short. He said he had a different perspective. He viewed each person’s life as a candle that burned until it went out. That could be when the candle is completely burned or just after it is lit. Each person has a life span that is different. This view was a comfort to me and still is.

einstein3

Death is not something to fear. When we remove that from our minds life becomes brighter. It is not easy to do and we may waver from time to time. It is difficult to imagine not being alive and can produce sadness when we wish we would still be around to see grandchildren or great grandchildren marry and have children of their own.

 

No matter our age and the length of life no one wants to be gone. Life is beautiful in spite of any trials we face. The important thing is to treasure each moment and when we come to the end say “I have lived!”

lama.jpg

 

5 thoughts on “In the midst of life we are in death.”

  1. The Bible calls death an enemy – a defeated enemy. (I Corinthians 15:26) In His resurrection Jesus proved that He had conquered death, and if we place our faith in His sacrifice to pay for our sins, we don’t need to fear death and judgment. I wouldn’t necessarily apply that statement to everyone. Life is flying by so quickly, and if I didn’t know Jesus, the thought of death would terrify me, for good reason.

    Like

  2. Phenomenal post! From a young age my mother instilled in us that life is but short lived and death was inevitable. Yes, I knew I wasn’t meant to be here and love forever.
    However after my diagnosis and then having to go through multiple, multiple surgeries, one being brain surgery. Yes, I can see, that this is truly inevitable – death. Whether it comes tonight, tomorrow, etc. truth is that it will come.
    I try to live for today and not plan for tomorrow, as my diagnosis also taught me as it came out of left field – you don’t know what tomorrow will bring. I also try to surround myself with positive people, it’s hard but the stress people can bring onto you, I think isn’t worth having in your life.
    Love what the Dalai Lama has to say, he’s absolutely right. 😊🙏🏽

    Like

Comments are closed.