Comments on: How to handle this mortality business

By: Jessa Hart

Jessa Hart — Thu, 19 May 2011 17:14:55 +0000

Thank you for this Ella, a lot of the things you have said really hit home for me, death is something I spend much of my time contemplating, and I always end up feeling helpless in a pit of my own despair. I am taunted with thoughts of ‘what is the point in any of this if at the end of it we all end up dead anyway’. I know it’s a very negative outlook to have on life, but when you have come to the realisation that no-one can escape our mortality, I find it difficult to think of anything else. I have grown up in a very religious family, and was happy in the beilef that when I died my soul would live on in another plane of existence, I supposed I called it heaven. But over recent years I have turned away from all the old belief systems, and searched for the answers I am looking for from other faiths. Unfortuantely I’ve yet to find anything that I really believe in, there’s things I’d like to believe in, but I can never seem to throw off that cold underlying feeling of doubt that lingers in my heart. However, despite my cynisism, I still hold onto the hope that there is more beyond this mortal realm, that death is just another passage into the next chapter of my existence. Whether it is the Buddihst view of reincarnation, or the Christian view of everlasting life in the presence of the great creator, I have no answers; I am not a person of religion, but I am a person of spirit, and believe that, despite my preoccupation with the physical death, there is still some essence of consciousness that will go on when my body has ceased to function. However, right now, all can do is live this moment and be grateful for the next, if life is not to be enjoyed then what is the purpose of it?

By: James

James — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 05:15:15 +0000

The worst part about dying is you won’t know when you’re dead or when you have died because you cease to exist at point of death.

As for funeral plans, my mum has been briefed that there is to be no funeral, wake, memorial service etc. If anyone in my will attends one (even if not organised by them) they are automatically out of the will. As for body disposal, the body is to be donated to science (but explicitly not medical transplants) to see if they can use the body to find a cure for whatever killed it. Any remains after that are to be disposed of on unconsecrated ground (hey I’m a devout practising atheist, and when forced to go to church as a child, instead of reading the day’s lesson etc I was reciting the rite of excommunication, given the number of times I’ve done it I’m pretty sure the message got through) at an undisclosed location (if there are any remains – our family tends to burn ours, so probably won’t be any left, but after I’m dead there’s fuck all I can do about what is done with my body) in an unmarked grave. That should take care of it.

Can I get an iPhone?

By: Jeb

Jeb — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 13:38:30 +0000

Living in the moment is key – for me, anyway. It’s something that can be tricky to learn to do, but when you can… it’s brilliant. Half the trick is being ready to let go of a moment and embracing the next one – but what better way to breathe in life around you?

I’m pretty sure people still think I’m a loon for grinning like a dork on public transport and walking down the street in bad weather, but I can’t help it! Life’s too awesome to walk around grumbling.

By: Mitch Hell

Mitch Hell — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 02:58:38 +0000

Good advice.

Death is an oppressive and unavoidable whore. We all get consumed by thoughts of her at times and it’s inevitable that we’ll bed with her. But that’s far from being a bad thing. Sure it’s daunting, but when she comes the experience can’t be too different from the time before we were born.

My dad always said that life is about distractions. You build up distractions in your life – whether it be a job, hobby or friendships – so you avoid the issue of mortality and the futility of life. Kind of depressing but it works for him and I recognise the reasoning in it.

Continuing on the theme of others’ advice but somewhat more upbeat than my dad’s – Kurt Vonnegut’s uncle Alex used to say that when things were really going well we should be sure to notice it. But not just the triumphs in our lives – simple occasions like enjoying a cool glass on lemonade on a hot day or fishing with friends.

He urged to say out loud: “If this isn’t nice, what is?”.

Why not?

By: Ella

Ella — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 20:36:28 +0000

Busted! Multitasking is hard to give up — I only stopped doing the “read messages while walking down the street” thing when I was almost wiped out by a giant car.

Good call on making positive changes as well. That should definitely be on the list.

By: Jessie

Jessie — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 20:04:47 +0000

Great advice, Ella. I kinda felt bad I was actually holding my iPhone when I read this … but I’ve put it down now. Another suggestion I want to make is ‘try to do the best you can to make a positive change, as what is success truly measured in if not how many other lives we touch?’ Thanks Ella, keep up the great work!