How often Do You Think About Death or Dying?

[Ari]

Not to sound morbid, but I was wondering how often people in the forum think about these subjects, either in relation to themselves or in regard for a loved one?  I must admit I ponder these issues quite regularly, more than I would like to in fact, but I can't seem to help it.  Yes, I do believe in G-d and heaven, and the fact that we're going to a better place, but still life seems so short and the tinge of uncertainty in what comes next is an issue for me.  Anyone else think about such things?

[Sarah]

Whenever I cross the road......and practically everyday. Usually regarding myself, because i get freaked out when thinking bad things could happen to loved ones. Every now and again, It suddenly hits me that i could die at any time, but that kind of draws me back from reality instead of pushing myself to live every minute to its best.


Very interesting question btw, Ari. Thank Yor for posting these threads.

[Trumpeldor]

I just want to live a long happy life. I don't want to leave before my time.

[Ari]

No problem, Sarah.  I appreciate the feedback.

[Lubab]

Some of my thoughts about this question:

Every night when we say Kriya Shema before bed we are supposed to think about it.

Each sleep is like a mini-death and each morning is like a mini-resurrection. So you need to live that day to the fullest, it's like a whole mini-life.

My Rabbi always says "if you're not willing to die for something..you're not really living".

Rabbi Akiva was actually happy when they killed him for sticking to his Judaism because he had always wondered if his Jewishness was important enough to him that he would withstand such a test.

But the main thing is to live like a Jew, not just to die like a Jew.

[nopeaceforland]

Some of my thoughts about this question:

Every night when we say Kriya Shema before bed we are supposed to think about it.

Each sleep is like a mini-death and each morning is like a mini-resurrection. So you need to live that day to the fullest, it's like a whole mini-life.

My Rabbi always says "if you're not willing to die for something..you're not really living".

Rabbi Akiva was actually happy when they killed him for sticking to his Judaism because he had always wondered if his Jewishness was important enough to him that he would withstand such a test.

But the main thing is to live like a Jew, not just to die like a Jew.

Interesting thoughts!

[dejavu]

ah now for the atheists perspective...

Why think about death?  Dwelling on something will only make it come faster.  Am i saying that I am afraid of death and prefer not to think about it... definitely not death happens every day so liberate yourself from the fear of it and live your life in peace.

If you live in constant fear of death you will spend all of your time wondering if you should get in your car and drive to the store or if you could go without whatever you wanted. 

Enjoy the time you have before you become worm food.  The ability of humans to reason gets in the way of being happy... its as simple as that for me.

[White Israelite]

I don't think about it, it's not like you can stop death, it's natural and therefore you should not fear it. We all have to face it sooner or later, enjoy life.

[Tzvi Ben Roshel1]

I don't think about it, it's not like you can stop death, it's natural and therefore you should not fear it. We all have to face it sooner or later, enjoy life.

Death itself isn't scary, but what is scary is the fact that one will be judged. In truth everyone is judged every moment (or hour), but in this case, I can only imagine that its much more direct.

[ramen]

depends where i am really.

[Dr. Dan]

A lot...and then i tell myself to live..

[MasterWolf1]

No, I just rather live my life to the fullest.

[Boeregeneraal]

Death itself isn't scary, but what is scary is the fact that one will be judged.

Im not scared so much of Death. It is something that's going to happen-that's what makes us human. But also, it would be the will of G-D. What does scare me, is judgement...shall i be sentenced to hell, or live with My Father in Heaven. The thought of forever burning in Hell (Gehenom), by far outweighs the fear of death.

Thinking of death now and then is a good thing. It makes you respect live, and be more respective to others, but also...it can prevent you from dying.

I guess, when you grow up with death around you, you get sort of desensitisd to it?

[CorrieDeservedIt]

Everytime i walk past a group of  blacks or see a muslim on the bus or subway.

[Tzvi Ben Roshel1]

Everytime i walk past a group of  blacks or see a muslim on the bus or subway.

 

[MasterWolf1]

Everytime i walk past a group of  blacks or see a muslim on the bus or subway.

To me its not death but more of nearly throwing up.  Muslims are not the most cleanest people in the world.

[Boeregeneraal]

Everytime i walk past a group of  blacks or see a muslim on the bus or subway.

i don't blame you!

[Joe Schmo]

Not to sound morbid, but I was wondering how often people in the forum think about these subjects, either in relation to themselves or in regard for a loved one?  I must admit I ponder these issues quite regularly, more than I would like to in fact, but I can't seem to help it.  Yes, I do believe in G-d and heaven, and the fact that we're going to a better place, but still life seems so short and the tinge of uncertainty in what comes next is an issue for me.  Anyone else think about such things?

You sound like me.

In this day and age, life is easy.  We all have time to sit around and pontificate about death and other depressing topics.  The old-timers had no time to sit and worry about 'me, me, me'.  They busted their arses because they had to.

(I'm not criticizing Ari so much as myself in the above post.)

[Joe Schmo]

ah now for the atheists perspective...

Why think about death?  Dwelling on something will only make it come faster.  Am i saying that I am afraid of death and prefer not to think about it... definitely not death happens every day so liberate yourself from the fear of it and live your life in peace.

If you live in constant fear of death you will spend all of your time wondering if you should get in your car and drive to the store or if you could go without whatever you wanted. 

Enjoy the time you have before you become worm food.  The ability of humans to reason gets in the way of being happy... its as simple as that for me.

Of course this is true.

Thinking is overrated and can make a person extremely ill.

As far as thinking goes, a little dab'll do ya'.

[Tzvi Ben Roshel1]

ah now for the atheists perspective...

Why think about death?  Dwelling on something will only make it come faster.  Am i saying that I am afraid of death and prefer not to think about it... definitely not death happens every day so liberate yourself from the fear of it and live your life in peace.

If you live in constant fear of death you will spend all of your time wondering if you should get in your car and drive to the store or if you could go without whatever you wanted. 

Enjoy the time you have before you become worm food.  The ability of humans to reason gets in the way of being happy... its as simple as that for me.

Of course this is true.

Thinking is overrated and can make a person extremely ill.

As far as thinking goes, a little dab'll do ya'.

This is the thinking and philosophy of Esav. Pour me some of that Red stuff, now. Not thinking and wanting to think about consequences of action. Of course life and death for an athiest is hell, thats why a society driven by denial of G-d needs drugs, alcohol any excape because they dont want to deal with reality (which is everlasting).

[Mishmaat]

I always conjure up depressing thoughts whenever I'm on a long train ride. Occassionally I think about death, but I really tend to dwell on negative past experiences a lot.

[Dr. Dan]

I always conjure up depressing thoughts whenever I'm on a long train ride. Occassionally I think about death, but I really tend to dwell on negative past experiences a lot.

eh! couple it with a few good 80's songs and then whenever you listen to those songs, it will remind you of these beautiful memories.

[Kiwi]

Death and dying never once worries me, its been apart of my life for so long now. I don't fear it at all, sometimes I welcome it openly for others.

I strongly feel when you die, since you have been true to G-d what is there to fear? I never feared my earthly father, why should I ever fear my heavenly one?

[KansasJew]

Honestly Death is not something you really think about when you are younger but as you age. Death  is always around you and you realize that and you accept and you live life to its fullest.

I see death on a daily basis so Death is not something scary or morbid to me. It is a part of Ha Shem's Plan. Accept it and go on with life until your last breath.

[Dr. Dan]

I dont' think about death as much about myself as I do with family members I care about.