Dealing With Death inspired by Mitch Albom's
...ays, “Everyone knows they’re going to die…but nobody believes it. If we did we would do things differently”(Albom81). We as a society are too consumed by material possessions, money, and status and the way in which these ends are met leaves little time for people and the development of relationships--which is the key to leading a meaningful life. In fact, if our culture was not so caught up in these petty worries, people would care more about how others would like to be treated. The sense of common courtesy and decency that has evaporated from our selfish society would replace the constantly critical, mean, and rude attitudes that prevail in our communities, therefore making our world a kinder place to live in. After the conscious comprehension that life will end, there must exist some element of becoming at peace with the world and accepting the inevitable. Just knowing for certain that no miracle of everlasting youth will be blessed upon one’s soul would lead to an overall acceptance of the way our world functions and one’s dynamic role in it. Then, through reflection and philosophizing change can occur. The metamorphosis that takes place seems as if it would be so consuming that no area of one’s life would be left untouched by this newfound perspective on life. Petty concerns and worries are probably replaced by an overwhelming need to understand what happens after death has conquered the physical form. A sense of deep enlightenment would seem to fill the body and soul as one realizes the truly important things in life: God, family, friends, and emotions of love, happiness, and the sort. And then the actualization of this knowledge would create a need to apply such a perfect philosophy to one’s way of life before it is too late in order to better the world and develop a more perfect environment for others to enjoy. All these realizations would be so strong that they would not even be in the same league as the type that may seem monumental at the time, but just wear off in a few weeks. “No way I could go back. I am a different self now…in terms of trying to grapple with…the ultimate questions, the ones that won’t go away” to put it in Morrie’s words (174-175). This would be permanent change. After someone has experienced such a near death encounter and value shift, a sense of wanting to help others see this light at the end of the tunnel must overwhelm the soul. This is achieved in the fashion by which Morrie conveyed his deep sense of knowledge and wisdom gained in the midst of death to his friend Mitch. It takes conversations and bonding experiences between close friends to transfer this enlightenment. And if one person can help change another, and then another, and another after that, soon a domino effect will occur, and a greater number of people will live their lives as if they have their priorities straight according to a true consciousness of death, thus making our world a better place. Imagine how everyone would treat each other if all of humanity existed in a state that was fully aware that death could consume them at any moment. Do you think that people might treat each other with a little more love and compassion? Do you think someone might actually help that starving homeless person on the street corner instead of just tossing him a quarter out of guilt? This world might be a nicer place to live in if that were the case. But, of course, it is not, nor will it ever be, because it is easier for the masses to ignore that truth and just continue with their petty, selfish lives, only bothering to worry about day-to-day concerns instead of lifetime goals. Not to say that anyone is perfect or that all people are bad, this is just how individuals and societies function. But death helps one become free from societies vice of pain and anguish. By experiencing a near death realization people can change and create a more perfect way of life in this world. While it is true that people change every day, and at the same time life goes on seemingly as normal as ever d...