Death Puts Everything into Perspective

Gaining Perspective through Death

Yesterday, my husband and one of my kids were a little sad because the All Blacks didn’t win the rugby world cup (my other son was wanting South Africa to win, so at least he was happy). One of my friends told me her husband goes into depression for at least 3 days after any game that the All Blacks lose. I was trying to shake off the sadness I felt, and saw the news about Matthew Perry’s death, and how the creators of “Friends” felt his death was “impossible.” It made me reflect on how, much like the friends and family of the approximate 150,000 other people who die each day would also feel the profound sense of contemplation. Awareness of death has the power to shift our priorities. In its presence, even the most seemingly insurmountable problems suddenly appear insignificant.

This picture I took reminds me of how, even in the depths of death’s shadow, one can discover light, deep peace, and even joy.

Supporting a Dying Loved One

Recently I had the honor of meeting with someone who who shares the same mission of assisting people in conquering their fear of death. For now I will just briefly touch on her story, and in the (hopefully near) future, I’ll request her to share her story with you directly. She shared with me her very touching, raw, but deeply profound experience of guiding one of her children through his final journey- the death of his material body- after being in a car accident. She described how she faced a pivotal choice to either succumb to her emotions or provide the support that her son needed.

Indeed, this mother, like so many others who have the honor to support their dying loved ones often say the same thing– how the experience of being able to be there to help their loved ones rest and find deep peace in the transcendental sound of the Supreme Being’s names has been utterly life changing. This is just one other reason why it’s so important to talk to your loved ones- family and friends, and anyone who will listen, about the need to prepare for death. Talking about death opens the way to helping people prepare for death. Accepting death and preparing for death allows us to actually live. It’s all about perspective.