Why are we so afraid of death?

Death,

Why are we so afraid of it?

It is always present yet never in our conversations. It reminds us of life's finality, yet we live as if it didn't exist. We are afraid of uttering the word or thinking about what happens next. We are scared of losing someone to it, of becoming nothing.

Most importantly: why do we feel threatened by something inevitable?

We know it's the circle of life; we know that one day this life we are living will end. And yes, that concept is terrifying, intimidating, and for most: irrational. Which is why we don't know how to deal with it. We don't know how to approach death when it comes knocking and taking someone we love, someone young, someone by force or violence.

I recently encountered death, which made me realize so much. 

For starters: what if death stops being a silent "threat," the boogie man, horrifying? What if we stopped seeing it as that dark abyss of nothingness? And start thinking of it in a different, more positive way.

Death. Why is there so much anxiety about a word and concept that we yet not fully comprehend? We cannot do it because we have not experienced it. We have experienced people close to us dying, which is inexplicably painful. But does it have to be? 

Why don't we start celebrating life?

Think about it. Maybe life would be a little more enjoyable if we welcomed death as a process, not a threat. Then, every day, every moment, every little emotion and experience would be lived to the fullest. Not because we are afraid of dying or have to experience every sensation, but because we genuinely want to enjoy life.

The beautiful moments. Moments so small and genuine, that you forget they even happened. Moments like the first time you experienced rain; the first time you sat on the grass and felt it tickle your skin; the first time you listened to the sea and felt at peace; the smell of coffee in the morning, or the joy of crying of laughter. 

Life is full of those little moments: like the first time your lips softly touched the ones of the person you desired so much that your whole body was trembling. Those little experiences like foolish young love or the endorphins that come rushing when a friend hugs you with so much love that you forget that death exists.

We shouldn't spend life fearing something we will not feel or experience. Yes, it is terrifying, I know. When my grandfather died, I felt like a part of my soul died too. But ever since, I've realized how glorious he was, how he experienced life, and how he would disapprove of me fearing death.

Not all of us fear death for the same reason. Some are anxious about not leaving a legacy, others about the pain of the moment, and other people fear not making it to their paradise.

All of which are entirely valid.

Most Western society has been brought up to think like that: to fear death and see it as the end. But why?

Why fear death at the peak of your life? When you are the happiest? Or when you are discovering who you are? 

You never know when it will come, so you cannot live being terrified of it or hiding it in a little black box as if it didn't exist.

It is real, it happens every day, and most of us have witnessed it.

It is up to us to decide how to shift that focus. Do you want to live a life afraid of dying?

Or a life celebrating all the beautiful moments, the tiny ones, the normal ones, the sad ones, and especially the life-changing moments.

I invite you to stop your fear of death and celebrate your love for the magnificent, wonderful, challenging, and unique life you have.

With all my love,

L