Accepting Death
Seems there's never a dull moment in my life.
A few days ago, I was bitten by a yellow Scorpion. Lucky, the venom wasn't too poisonous. Its effects were mild and the numbness and tingling went away eventually.
Compared to my last year snakebite experience which nearly cost me my life, this time there was no drama, no panic, and no pain. Just me and my thoughts... - Thoughts about life's impermanence, about the fear of death, and about what it truly means to be fully alive.
In those moments of silence, when the poison had started to take effect, I was reminded of how impermanent life is, and that no matter how well I take care of my body, sooner or later death will knock on my door.
What I had also come to realize during those moment was that my life is more precious, more valuable, more meaningful... because of death.
In society, we tend to pretend death does not exist, like it won’t ever happen to us. We avoid discussing it, thinking about it, reflecting on it. We do that — not because we don't care about death, but because we're scared shitless of it.
But here's the thing:
The more afraid we are of death, the less we’ll live.
Truly live.
In fact, The more we deny death, the more we deny life. If we’re afraid of death, we will be afraid of life also, because life brings death.
Death is not something that can be avoided. It is always there, standing patiently by our side, accompanying us in every step, every breath, and every heartbeat since the first day we were born. With enough time everything on this planet gets dissolved.. everything dies.
With that acceptance, I grew calmer. The venom was still circulating through my veins but I felt peaceful within.
Then, out of nowhere, a word popped into my head. The word was “Faster.”
I knew it meant.
There was a big decision I was scared to make.
The next morning, I woke up with renewed energy and determination to follow my heart and take the risk of losing a decade-long income source.
As soon as I made the decision, I felt different in my skin. I felt space open up in my heart. I felt free... I was so attached to that income source that I clinged to it like my life depended on it.
It's easy to forget that life involves taking risks, to get out there and live the life we're called to live.
When we don’t dare to take risks and accept the transitory nature of our existence, we only make the fear of death bigger and more entrenched. It is always underneath the cover.
On the other hand, when we take risks, when we live our deepest callings, when we live each moment to its totality, then time disappears and with it, fear disappears.
And when death eventually comes, we can look her in the eye... more accepting… because we have the assurance of knowing we had a life fully lived.
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Writer
Tal Gur is a location independent entrepreneur, author, and impact investor. After trading his daily grind for a life of his own daring design, he spent a decade pursuing 100 major life goals around the globe. His most recent book and bestseller, The Art of Fully Living - 1 Man, 10 Years, 100 Life Goals Around the World, has set the stage for his new mission: elevating society to its abundance potential.
