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How do you prepare to meet death? This author believes it has something to do with the kind of life you have lived all along.
It all has to do with how heavy the baggage is when you are waiting in the departure lounge of life!
I know of two such people in my life who suddenly turned religious in their last days.
Mr.Warner lived a very irresponsible life and brought a lot of misery to his family. His alcoholism, debauchery, his selfish and abusive nature helped him enjoy all the pleasures of life, always at someone’s cost. Just when the doctor told him that he had only a few months to live, he started living a very frenzied religious life which was surprising, because not only was he an atheist, he had never even worshipped God, which his religion was extremely particular about.
He was a completely changed man in the last six months of life. Busy with rituals, visits to religious places and trying all methods to expiate his sins, he was now dependent on the very people whom he had exploited. At every interaction, he came across as a very confused terrified person which was so unlike his normal persona. He was scared of his final moments and constantly asked “Will God forgive me’?
Mrs.Smith was a very typical family person when she was young. When she turned 75, she, voluntarily got herself admitted in an old age home as she didn’t want to be a burden to her children. She did a few chores at the old age home and spent her days quietly and peacefully with the most minimal possessions.
On the ‘D’ day, she just finished her lunch, told everyone that she just wanted to rest and went to her bed. Within an hour she passed away. Her face was serenity personified. I was there witnessing those final moments. She truly radiated peace.
Mr. Warner and Mrs. Smith are perhaps at the extreme ends. Fear of death and conversely, the love of life is common to most living beings. The fear of death is because of the fear of losing your body. A constant craving and feeling of dissatisfaction is the manifestation of such an identification and they tend to seek religion.
As one grows old and believes that one is in the departure lounge, (in an unguarded moment), most people take stock of all that has happened in their lives. For people who then realise that they have harmed people in some way or that they have done evil, the burden of guilt and regret gets heavier. Unable to bear that, they seek refuge in religion. All things like karma, rebirth, Hell etc. which they had wilfully ignored, suddenly start making sense. For people who believed that they have led a reasonably virtuous life, they start looking forward to the end of life and in fact have a ‘liberated’ look on their faces.
So, in the end it all depends how one lived life ! The moment they realise they have to be ready to meet their Maker, their approach to God changes! The manner in which Socrates died is a lesson for all of us. He was sentenced to death for corrupting the youth. Just before his death he was asked, “Master, you are dying, are you not afraid of death?” To which Socrates said: “Afraid of what? I have lived my life. It was beautiful. I would like to see what death is now.”
Socrates did not weaken in the face of death, but was cheerful in meeting death as well. Accepting the news with grace, he drank the hemlock and died in the company of friends and disciples. Life is all about being kind. Because everyone wants to die without any regrets and fears. Those who have brought others pain and tears will be punished, if not now then later after they meet their maker. And all their questions will finally be answered like “ Will god ever forgive me?”.
As for those who have always just given and given and have never hurt anyone intentionally, I believe that they will be resting in peace, literally! That’s why what matters is now, because now is in your hands but nothing will be after THE END.
I'm 34, an ex-flight attendant, an extrovert and a happy soul.I just want to write for all the women out there who don't know what to do when life throws fireballs read more...
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Neena was the sole caregiver of Amma and though one would think that Amma was dependent on her, Neena felt otherwise.
Neena inhaled the aroma that emanated from the pan and took a deep breath. The aroma of cumin interspersed with butter transported her back to the modest kitchen in her native village. She could picture her father standing in the kitchen wearing his white crisp kurta as he made delectable concoctions for his only daughter.
Neena grew up in a home where both her parents worked together in tandem to keep the house up and running. She had a blissful childhood in her modest two-room house. The house was small but every nook and cranny gave her memories of a lifetime. Neena’s young heart imagined that her life would follow the same cheerful course. But how wrong she was!
When she was sixteen, the catastrophic clutches of destiny snatched away her parents. They passed away in a road accident and Neena was devastated. Relatives thronged her now gloomy house and soon it was decided that she should be married off.
Menopause is a reality in women's lives, so Indian workplaces need to gear up and address women's menopausal needs.
Picture this: A seasoned executive at the peak of her career suddenly grapples with hot flashes and sleep disturbances during important meetings. She also battles mood swings and cognitive changes, affecting her productivity and confidence. Eventually, she resigns from her job.
Fiction? Not really. The scenario above is a reality many women face as they navigate menopause while meeting their work responsibilities.
Menopause is the time when a woman stops menstruating. This natural condition marks the end of a woman’s reproductive years. The transition brings unique physical, emotional, and psychological changes for women.
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