Friday, June 13, 2008

Time Marches On....

Well in less than a week, I will add one more click to my life counter. Yep, its time for another birthday. This one will make it 41 years on this rock, 20 more than I ever planned on. But anyways, I am still here...



Most people say that's a good thing. I take it that they are looking at it from their point of view in that being alive is better than the alternative. To each their own I guess. To me it doesn't really make that big of difference. Now don't get me wrong, I am not looking to "check out" anytime soon, but I am not afraid of it either.



Which is one thing that has always struck me funny about some people. They are afraid of dying. Why? For the religious people, dying brings you to your eternal reward. Where there is no pain. Where the is no suffering. When you would be filled by the loving light/spirit of 'insert you deity'. You would have eternal joy and happiness. You would be with your loved ones that have gone before and patiently wait to greet those you left behind. Sounds good to me, but most people are still afraid.



Maybe its the thought of missing things. Missing your children growing up, missing family and friends. Missing all the life events that bring us all joy. I can understand this, but it only partially applies to me, I like things that bring me joy. I am single and have no children by choice. My "family" ceased to exist when my dad died in 1987. I have a mother, brother, aunts and uncles but they are just people. There is no "family" with them. And my friends,'your deity' bless my friends. They have been with me in good times and bad, through thick and thin. I would miss them. I would probably even miss some of my relatives, but I am not afraid to die.



Could it be that people just feel like they haven't accomplished everything they wanted to do in this life and that this "incomplete" feeling is why they fear death. You have probably heard them. "I wish I would have traveled more", "... seen the pyramids in Egypt", "... gone to Europe", etc. etc. Are maybe they just wanted to accomplish something; "I wish I would have learned to snow ski", "... climbed a mountain", "... learned to skydive". For those of you this applies to, time is wasting away. If you want to do something, do it. It may not be the "responsible" thing to do. It may seem selfish. Others may or may not understand. It doesn't matter. What matters is that you want to do something and there isn't a "earth shattering" reason why you shouldn't do it. For me, I never want to look back on life and say "You know I wish I would have done/seen/experienced . I have my list. And I am checking things off. There are still a lot of things on my list but I am still not afraid to die.



Then again, maybe it is just something as simple as things left unsaid. I have noticed this seems to be a big concern for those who are dying. They will go around and bare their soul, clear their conscience or tell their true feelings. They will ask for forgiveness, forgive an old wrong, "mend fences" and wipe the slate clean. This is important to them... when they know they are going to die. My question is, "If it is so important, why wait?" I mean, you are not guaranteed you will know you are dying, you may just die. It happens all the time. All I can say is, "Don't wait." Tell that person you love them, tell this one he is forgiven. And if required, tell them every time you see them, call them up if you haven't seen them in awhile and tell them. Don't be afraid that you sound silly or sappy. Don't be afraid that you will look foolish. You have time now, use it. Because no one knows how much time is left on the clock.



Well it less than a week till the next big click on the clock. Where does the time go.....



I love you guys and take care....