It is difficult to dwell on our own demise! We know we won’t live forever even as we strive to create permanence in most everything we do. Perhaps this is how we deal with the idea of our own death. If we create all this structure – our homes, our family, our work, our friends, our legacy – we will live on in some form.
I don’t like the idea of my death for a few good reasons…I don’t like the idea of what I may have to go through before I actually die, but more to the point I don’t want to miss out on any of the fun that will happen even after I am no longer around and I don’t want to be forgotten.
My family and friends who have died are often in my thoughts, some on a daily basis so it is a bit silly to think that there won’t be people thinking about me when I’m dead. We do live forever in the hearts of those who remember us. Do I think that I am so insignificant as to be forgettable? Am I any more significant than the oak tree, the daffodil, or butterfly, or mother bear? We humans put great stock in our own importance. We do think we are more significant than lesser creatures. This coupled with the knowledge of our eventual death can manifests itself in many curious ways.
Perhaps if we accepted our impermanence we would be happier, calmer, more loving, more productive, more in tune with the beautiful, impermanent world around us. It might lead to acceptance of our impermanence, but I still don’t want to miss out on any of the fun!