Death - Is it Necessarily Negative?

Death is a word that strikes fear into everyone's minds. Or at least generates spooky feelings in relevance to ghosts - spirits who roam after death. Death is a macabre word that most people would want to avoid uttering. Death conjures up images of sadness, despair and doom. Why can't it conjure images of happiness, hope and bloom instead? What is it that prevents us from thinking positively about death? Should death be such a good thought, that everyone would rush to be on the bandwagon? Why should anyone avoid death like the plague? Why go to great lengths to prevent people from uttering the death word? Is it such a bad thing to think of death once a while?

Why is death always a negative thing? Of course, death separates us from our loved ones. But isn't it something good for them, that they're able to leave this world of suffering and cross over to the next world? Should we instead be happy for them, for they're crossing over earlier than us? It's like saying goodbye when the bus leaves. But then, the bus in the real world, will return. In the ethereal world, spirits of the dead will return. Physically, no but spiritually, yes. Death is like a journey. It's up to us to ensure that it's a pleasurable one. Your imagination will ascertain what to expect ahead.

Should we be happy for those who manage to leave earlier than us? Why not? Nobody thinks of separation in good terms. It's always thought of in negative terms. When the time comes for them to leave, it's more often a 'no choice' thing. Unless they committed suicide thing, of course. But then, suicide is a choice, no? Put that aside. Back to 'no choice' death. When the Reaper comes calling, it's time to go. Sometimes, there's no time to say goodbye. Maybe it's best that way, sometimes?

So, if you have to go, you have to go. We should be happy for them but the burden is on us to let go. Humans are a sentimental lot in nature and will run through a quick re-collection of the past and present when a loved one is about to leave this mortal world. While the loved one fades into unconsciousness, the one who's leaving will also experience quick flashes of their own past and present. It's normally during the point of death, that humans go through this stage. It's like a video recorder being made to run on excessive speed till its end of the tape reel.

Before dying, most probably there'll be regrets. Regrets of not saying what you wanted to say when the person was still alive, which makes you think why you didn't want to say it at all? Regrets of not doing something that you've wanted to do all this while, but procastinated till the last moment and having realised that you're no longer in a position to perform the tasks? It's not a good feeling to have regrets on your deathbed. During that time, there's more turning back. The bus has arrived and the door is open, waiting for you to board. No, there's no chance of throwing the ticket away. A helpless feeling isn't exactly a good feeling.

On some occassions, when there's instant death, there's no opportunity for reminiscing the past or even having regrets. Bang! You're dead. That would probably be the best way to go? If it's an accident, having the thought of being maimed for life or even having an arm or leg amputated would most probably be an unbearable thought for some. So, for these people, a quick launch into the ethereal world is the best way. No time to even think of loved ones they'd be leaving behind or even to consider whether the world awaiting them will be a good one, like what they've dreamed about all this while. Or like what their religion has preached to them, heaven is awaiting if you've done good. And when you reach the Gates, the Gatekeeper apologises and informs regretfully that you're not allowed into Heaven...but leave this for another blog, ok?

So, think of it. There's only 2 things certain in life - death and taxes. Why not relish death? I'm also reminding myself that death of loved ones is inevitable. As you age, you biologically slow down to a standstill (freeze). I've gone through 5 passings, I guess. Fortunately, nothing happened to my immediate family members...yet. I know I will have to face it one day. So fearful am I of this thought that I always think it's best for me to 'go' first. Then I won't have to shed tears for them. It's a painful event, I can imagine. I can also empathise with those who have lost their loved ones.

So, is death a negative thing? We should look at it positively. It will help us to overcome the doom and gloom. Thinking that the dead would be on their way to a better future, will enable us to overcome our grief faster than moaning over the death. The emotional suffering would be short. After the burial, we look at the gravestone and think of the legacy that was left behind and hope that the dearly departed would continue to think of us and drop hints of their visit every once a while. The Chinese will wait for the Hell Gates to open in the 7th Month whilst other cultures would have their own unique way to deal with the dead. Therefore, death is a good thing and we should be envious of those who have managed to leave early. For those who've left, please wait for us to come, ok?