A few years ago, I developed a cancer that should have killed me. A very aggressive from of lymphoma that was in stage four when discovered. As you can imagine, I did a lot of thinking about death and found it did not scare me. The process of dying did scare me but not death itself. I spoke to several people who were in similar circumstances. I found that the people who were most terrified of dying were Christians. I spent time with one woman who was genuinely terrified because she felt that she was just not "good enough" to avoid hell. In spite of being an atheist, I took on my old pastoral role, in an attempt to reduce her fear. I did not even mention my unbelief, as it was about her and her fears, not about me. I heard many tearful confessions of many very small very normal failings of the sort that the very best of people have. Yet, the fear remained. I do believe I helped some and at least distracted her from the terror. She was a heart patient who died on the operating table. I was deemed an unusually positive patient, in spite of the seriousness of what was happening. I am not a positive person but I am a no quit fighter. What CS Lewis referred to as a "good man in a losing fight". Obviously I did survive. I could not help but notice that those who were most afraid died Fear or lack of it will not cure you of anything but the lack of fear makes it easier to really fight and to refuse to accept what looks like "fate". I think it is very useful to talk about and think about the end of life and to reduce one's fear of it. I believe that can make death easier for both the one dying and for loved ones. I believe that being able to control that fear gives one a slightly better chance at surviving some things. A very informative and useful video here.
When we shy away from death, " the ever changing nature of things", we inevitably shy away from life. Death is not about dying well; it is about living well. Death is not morbid, fear is morbid. Death slices through every lie, ridicules every belief, mocks every vanity and reduces ego to absurdity. All we ever really have is this moment here and now. Enjoy every breath.
I've been putting off watching this story for a while, it hit too close to home. Thank you for sharing so much of yourself Carlos, your dad would be proud of the man you are today. I know I feel fortunate to have meet such an amazing person. Now, I need to go find out who is chopping onions in here.
Moving. Made me think of my dad, and, my son too. Thank you for this.
Thank you, J D
I will always miss my dad.
A few years ago, I developed a cancer that should have killed me. A very aggressive from of lymphoma that was in stage four when discovered. As you can imagine, I did a lot of thinking about death and found it did not scare me. The process of dying did scare me but not death itself.
I spoke to several people who were in similar circumstances. I found that the people who were most terrified of dying were Christians. I spent time with one woman who was genuinely terrified because she felt that she was just not "good enough" to avoid hell. In spite of being an atheist, I took on my old pastoral role, in an attempt to reduce her fear. I did not even mention my unbelief, as it was about her and her fears, not about me. I heard many tearful confessions of many very small very normal failings of the sort that the very best of people have. Yet, the fear remained. I do believe I helped some and at least distracted her from the terror. She was a heart patient who died on the operating table.
I was deemed an unusually positive patient, in spite of the seriousness of what was happening. I am not a positive person but I am a no quit fighter. What CS Lewis referred to as a "good man in a losing fight". Obviously I did survive.
I could not help but notice that those who were most afraid died
Fear or lack of it will not cure you of anything but the lack of fear makes it easier to really fight and to refuse to accept what looks like "fate".
I think it is very useful to talk about and think about the end of life and to reduce one's fear of it. I believe that can make death easier for both the one dying and for loved ones. I believe that being able to control that fear gives one a slightly better chance at surviving some things.
A very informative and useful video here.
When we shy away from death, " the ever changing nature of things", we inevitably shy away from life. Death is not about dying well; it is about living well. Death is not morbid, fear is morbid. Death slices through every lie, ridicules every belief, mocks every vanity and reduces ego to absurdity. All we ever really have is this moment here and now. Enjoy every breath.
1:45- Hey! It's me! Thank you NBC for spreading this important message!
Thanks for including my live illustrations for Death Salon!
I've been putting off watching this story for a while, it hit too close to home. Thank you for sharing so much of yourself Carlos, your dad would be proud of the man you are today. I know I feel fortunate to have meet such an amazing person. Now, I need to go find out who is chopping onions in here.
Thank you for the kind words, Shaminder!
Beautifully made and shot
Thank you so much for watching.
The book Stay Tuned For Heaven has a great plot line with regard to the after life.