The Awareness of Death Influences Lives

"I am not afraid of dying because I already know that the most amazing peace encompasses us as our spirits leave our physical bodies," said my grandmother after she described her experience when she died 68 years before.  Floating above the scene where the physician was covering her body and her four year old son was praying, "God, please don't take my Mommy away", she felt that amazing peace.  After his prayer, she said her spirit instantly returned to the body which covered it.  (Note: God must answer the prayers of children quickly.)

Grandmother's experience with death, and even her son's fearful experience facing death, made a difference in their lives. Now, almost 90, he faces his impending death without regret. Perhaps there is no aspect of life that is feared more, hated more and dreaded more than death.  To live is to be aware of death.  The awareness of death changes our lives and the essence of who we are.

Even when we are unaware of it, our behavior, character, reputation, beliefs and other aspects of 'being' are shaped by our awareness of death. Every life experience has an impact on who we are and the quality of our life, but nothing seems to have as great an impact as death.  A child who experiences the death of a parent or of a beloved pet can never be the same as before such a significant loss.  It seems such a cruel trick that small children must ever feel the painful sorrow of death.  Even so, the awareness of death may give them a greater sensitivity toward people and a determination to live each day more fully and with greater appreciation. 

That early knowledge can teach the importance of cherishing each day and each person as if there will be no 'tomorrow' and it may strengthen one's character and lead to a greater mission in life than could have ever been realized if death had not intervined so early.

Family, friends and beloved pets have died all around me while my life has not been threatened with death through accident or illness.  Even so, just the awareness that the only time I have to live is this moment, this NOW.  With that in mind, I find that I cannot hold onto anger or bitterness toward another person, that all of us have faults or contradictions in our lives. 

As I begin to reach the age that my parents died, I find it more important to cherish the present moment.  That active determination makes a big difference in my relationships with family or strangers whether their need is for a simple reassurance and kindness or an action on their behalf that may cost me a greater gift of assistance.  Should I turn away from people less fortunate that I or shall I find a way to help them on their way?  Whatever I decide to do is definitely affected by my awareness of death...theirs or my own.

True, there are know villans and treacherous people such as Adolph Hitler who have thrived on death, not their own but thousands or millions of other beings and fellow humans.  Even with them, their awareness of death clearly has a profound effect on their behaviors, beliefs and chosen mission for their lives. 

Death is perhaps the most powerful influence on the way human beings live their lives. The way of love among us is profoundly influenced by our awareness of death.