what.is.death.

What, is death?

Is it the end of life, or the beginning of the afterlife?

How many people, how many groups have actually questioned the existence of the afterlife and the significance of death?

To many, talking about death could be considered unlucky, for death spells the end of one’s short life. They try not to think about it, and go ahead with their lives like there’s no tomorrow. Indeed, in years to come, there will come a day where there will be ‘no tomorrow’. But until then, are we to fear its approach, and rush like a mad bull to fulfill our goals and dreams while we're still alive?

After pondering for a long, long while, I have (sort of) found out the explanation behind people’s fear of death. In truth, people do not fear death, at least not to a great extent. They fear mainly two things – pain, and the abandoning of dreams or loved ones. If one’s death comes without any pain, quick and peaceful, what then is there to fear? For the next moment, you are dead!

That explains the ‘pain’ side of the fear of death. As for the abandoning of dreams or loved ones, this explanation comes more common and important to people. How would one feel when he/she knows that when they die, there would be so many things left unfulfilled, so many desires left unsatisfied, so many wonders left unexplored? That helpless feeling of ultimate loss, and the regret overwhelms everyone. Perhaps it is greed, but then again, not something that extreme to greed, but plain desires.

That feeling of unfinished business and abandoned loved ones is indeed powerful, too powerful for people not to fear its coming, and hence, the ‘fear of death’.

How then, are we to not fear it?

I’d say, that to be completely devoid of fear, is near to impossible. Only when one has truly fulfilled all his wishes and dreams, cared enough for loved ones, and perhaps they would no longer be around to mourn his/her loss, would he/she be free of fear, having lived a fulfilling and complete life. Until then, we would always be fearful of that day, when death would come upon us when we least expect it, ending everything in that instant.

What then, is afterlife? Is there truly a second life after this one? How can anyone prove such a theory if they can never return to this existence to tell us about it? If it can't be proven, how are we to believe its authenticity? Perhaps it is just a theory created by some to paint a beautiful picture of a life after death, to make people believe that perhaps by doing good deeds, having fulfilled their 'actual purpose' in this life, they would be rewarded with a good afterlife, perhaps with their 'god'?

It appears to me to be many things. Firstly, it appears to be a goal, a reward to people who devote their lives to doing good. Perhaps an ultimate prize? Or could it be a consolation for people who are unsuccessful in this life? That perhaps a better life awaits them beyond the doorway of death? Or is it an encouragement to others to live on, to not fear death, to spur them on, telling them that a new, better life awaits them after this one?

Truly, such a theory has so many functions and effects on different people. To the existence of such a theory, surely many lives are saves, many people are happier, more at peace with themselves, less fearful of death. But what would the consequence be if it all turns out to be a lie?

I guess it would be too late then to even lament or be angry at this fake theory? Because they would be non-existent by then.

As I have read in a novel, there is a short paragraph describing humans and their short lives but extremely long lists of ambitions and dreams. I have changed it a bit to fit this current context.

Here it goes:

In our surprisingly short life spans, we as humans try to grasp as many things with our small hands, small mouths and short life spans. Ultimately, when we overdo it, we end up being over-encumbered, our mouths stuffed and our hands sore. When that happens, do you end up gaining anything? Or would you have lost everything?

Perhaps it is time we learned some ways of ‘etiquette’, ‘table manners’, and some ‘stretching exercises’ to aid our lives. Taking time to actually taste, savor and digest everything you see and absorb, enjoying each and every bit of life. Perhaps then, you would be able to leave this existence knowing that despite all those unfulfilled wishes, those loved ones who would be left behind, we have at least tasted the sweet and bitter, smelt the fragrant and foul, and thoroughly lived our lives to the fullest.

To end this off, I have a saying (which sounds corny, but I’ve created it nonetheless):

“Death is like a full stop, which fate can place anywhere in our statement of life. The only way is to make sure that no matter where the full stop drops, our statement, no matter how long or short, is perfect and beautiful.”