Motivation logo

Pondering Existence

Thoughts of Our Own Mortality

By Kip GarmanPublished 6 years ago 4 min read
1
Enjoy the beauty in your surroundings and you ponder the changes you make in your life

Recently, I have faced death. Not only in my family with the death of my beloved Nanna and then Aunt two weeks later, but also within friends’ lives as well—not necessarily being human; family can also be your pets or those close to you that you consider family. I have witnessed the death of two of my friends’ very loved and faithful companions this week. It appears death has begun to rampage our world. The pain I have felt in the last month, and the pain that I have seen in my friends’ lives has left me pondering how fleeting life really is. How short our life is in the span of the age of time itself. When a loved one passes, in our pain we begin to question life itself. What are we here for? What is the point of our existence if life itself is so very fleeting? As someone who suffers with PTSD and depression, these questions, and many similar, flow through my mind consistently. I remember quite recently toward the beginning of this year, I penned the following paragraph. I was in a dark place, having recently had a medical scare.

“I am not afraid of death. I’m not afraid to die. In a way, death is like an old friend to me. Someone I’m well acquainted with. I used to have long talks with Death. We used to dance in the dark, play games together, sit in silence with each other. I clung to death, when it was morning and time to part ways, begging to be taken along. Death was the only friend I had, always eager to listen when I needed to confide my every pain, sadness, anger and hurt. Even when I begged to go, Death was kind, but firm. Not yet. Over the years, Death and I grew apart. I suppose our paths simply veered away from each other and, at some point, we lost contact. Many people are afraid of death. But I am not. Because even now, sitting as I journal this, with Death gently placing a hand on my shoulder and watching me pen this entry, there is nothing to be afraid of. How did J.K. put it? Ah, ‘And then he greeted death as an old friend, and went with him gladly, as, as equals, they departed this life.’ So no, I am not afraid. And when the time comes, I will take Death by the hand and will take my place with my ancestors and loved ones, watching over those I love still here. When the time comes, I will welcome Death. My oldest friend.”

While this may seem overly morbid, yet comforting to me at the same time, I look back on this with pride. I believe it not only relates to those of us suffering with mental anguish, but those suffering from the loss of a loved one as well. We should not be afraid of death. It is always said that what you do with the time in between your birth and death is what matters. So why be afraid of the inevitable? Rejoice in the time we have been granted, for however long it may be. In the grander scheme of reality, our life is but a fraction of eternity. A finger snap in the existence of time. What you choose to do with the time you have been given really is up to you!

Think for a moment. When a loved one passes on, we attend a “ceremony” where people talk about your life, your hopes and dreams, your accomplishments. What will you want to be said about you? Was it that you cared too little, or loved too greatly? Was it that you gave up when life became hard—or that you persevered and didn’t allow the tribulations you faced to turn you bitter? What will be said about you? I believe it is time to start thinking more about our own mortality and less about our present wants and desires. If we begin living this way, maybe our world will begin to turn a bit brighter. Less hate, less anger, less pain and sorrow. If we all began living as though we were attending our own funeral and listening to what was being said about us, maybe we would change the course of our own fleeting existence. We have the power to change. To change ourselves, to change our surroundings, to change the world. So let’s start today.

Take some time today to go outside, look around, and breathe deeply. Enjoy the nature in your surroundings. START LIVING YOUR CHANGE <3

healing
1

About the Creator

Kip Garman

Independant journalist, Activist, Human

Reader insights

Be the first to share your insights about this piece.

How does it work?

Add your insights

Comments

There are no comments for this story

Be the first to respond and start the conversation.

Sign in to comment

    Find us on social media

    Miscellaneous links

    • Explore
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use
    • Support

    © 2024 Creatd, Inc. All Rights Reserved.