Mystery of the Death and Human Behavior

Life may well be celebrated, but death by the word itself brings uncomfortable feelings, anxiety, sad and awkwardness. This word alone holds so much power over human consciousness.

When people talk about life, birth, existence, they emphasize a new beginning and how they feel about it. In contrast, talking about death evokes fear, painful experiences, and forethought on how it would feel to be there or have someone close die. Death brings pain, especially to people who lost their loved ones, and fear in those afraid of losing those close to them.

Fear of death has given immense power to humans. That fear may drive humans towards all the advancements in medicine and technology as far as exploring space. If you look at it carefully, everything humans do is all to avoid death one way or another.

But one ultimate truth is. Death is Unavoidable. It’s only one thing we are certain about. Whether we like it or not, eventually, we will meet our time when it comes—knowing that all too well, talking about death is still taboo.

Why are people so afraid to talk about death?

The fear of death is anguish and loneliness. This fear is too personal, and sharing this fear strips so much confidence in life that everything done in waking moments feels small. People don’t want to imagine themselves as non- existent. It feels uncomfortable to imagine the world in their absence. There is another truth if that’s of any comfort. This world way you see and feel is as real as your life is. It ceases to exist with you.

Another fear is the process. Death is not as painful as anyone imagines it to be. If there is any pain at all, that is the process. If there is any choice in the face of death, people will choose quick death. The fear of prolonged suffering, anticipation is excruciating even to imagine. Sickness, old age, dependence, and powerlessness, everything people abhor is the experience of the process. It is irony in itself as much as young people fear death, older people become braver. They shoulder it with courage and welcome it. It may be because they dread the process more than death itself.

People don’t want to talk about something else associated with death. Purpose of life. It’s another curious thing, how the belief that they had been alive for a reason grips so hard for some people. They fear the end of their lives because they haven’t found that purpose and think they have wasted their lives.

Being alive alone does not satisfy humans. Staying physically healthy is another matter of deep concern. Fear of death has its power, but fear of being alive in a painfully mundane routine of utmost dependence is another dread. People fear a life of disability, hospital confinement, financial constraints in receiving medical support, and top it off, poverty. People fear death, but they fear a life of deprivation more. They value freedom, independence, quality of life, and comfort. In the absence of this, you may be baffled by how brave they look to say, “death is better than this!”.

How much the loss of self-esteem and self-worth strips the people’s will to live has often been something mysterious, and they are the most curious people who are fascinated by the idea of death.

Fear of death doesn’t have power over some other people. They call themselves fearless adventurers. They laugh at it, tease it, and make fun of it as if they don’t see it as something dreadful and terrifying. Fear of death doesn’t seem to scare them, but the idea of dying in the process of doing excites them, and when they don’t die, they celebrate life. It’s interesting to note how many people participate in deadly ‘adventure sports.’

Here’s one interesting article on how thinking about death itself may change how you generally think of life.

I will add another great article on death and curiosity; I found myself immensely enjoying while reading. You will probably too.

Whats the point of talking about the death?

If you haven’t yet decided about talking about death, you should.

Our personal experiences, religious or spiritual beliefs, culture, family background, and present life situations impact our attitudes toward death. We all have in common that death and dying will play an essential role in our lives, we want it or not. The plain, ultimate truth is that we will all die, and all of us will lose people we love and care about during our lives. Or let the truth be told, we may be the one they will lose first.

When persons who haven’t had dialogues about death and dying get extremely ill or injured, their families are frequently forced to make medical decisions on their behalf. This can be unpleasant if they aren’t convinced they’re making the best decisions for their loved ones, and it may result in the person receiving therapies they wouldn’t choose for themselves.

Older people hate having to start the talk, and they need initiatives for their children. Their will, their last wishes, their death rites, etc. There is so much to discuss, put across, and so many elderly people pass away without telling how they feel about it the whole time they knew they were dying. It’s sad! So having that ‘talk’ is of extreme importance.

If you haven’t left halfway and you ended up reading the whole post, what do you think about dying? What is one thing that you absolutely want to do before dying? And yes, what would be quoted on your gravestone? Thought about it yet?