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What’s Worse Than Dying? Reaching the End Without Really Living
Why and how to use the fear of death to get more out of life.
Ask most people if they fear death and they will say yes. But I think they’re wrong. What they should fear is failing to live.
As a physician, I’ve witnessed many deaths. I’ve seen people with Bibles and prayers at the bedside, people whose stated beliefs should see them walking into a better world. Yet, they often seem the most reluctant to let go.
Without that faith in what comes next, I’ve seen others take the final step more peacefully.
I don’t think the difference here is religion, it’s something more profound than that. I’ve learned a good death is the end product of a well-lived life.
The Tale of Two Deaths
I’ve been preoccupied with this idea since I watched a patient in his late fifties succumb to aggressive cancer. He was a hardworking community member who had followed all the rules. A deeply religious man, he had ascended to the position of Deacon in his local church. His hospital room was filled with well-wishers from the congregation, Bibles, and prayers. I expected his faith and community would ease his transition and enable him to welcome the end with peace. But that was not the…
