Emotional Intimacy Question: Sudden Death

[ysabetwordsmith]

Folks have mentioned an interest in questions and conversations that make them think. So I've decided to offer more of those. I'm starting with this list.

19. If you knew that in one year you would die suddenly, would you change anything about the way you are now living? Why?

These two concepts -- knowing in advance and dying suddenly -- are generally opposed.  However, some insights may be obtained.  If I knew that I had a limited time left, I could budget that time more efficiently.  For example, I'd lean toward working on current projects rather than starting new ones, and I'd make sure to spend plenty of time with family.  I don't like to leave too many things unfinished, but then again, it sucks to run out of things to do before running out of life.  On the bright side, I would be free of many long-term worries like "What am I going to do 30 years down the road when climate change has made America an even worse shithole country than it already is?"  It'd be fantastic to know that I wouldn't be stuck dying of something horrible and lengthy.  A quick, clean death is something to be appreciated.  (I once really flabbergasted a doctor who mentioned heart disease as a "silent killer" and I said, "What's not to like?")  And of course, being somewhat of a lama, I'd want to think about what to pack into my next life.

Comments

[fyreharper]

Quit my job - I could get through a year without the income - and do all the other things. Spend more time with family, making music, dancing, hiking, traveling...

Yes ...

[ysabetwordsmith]

Those are good ways to spend time.

[zeeth_kyrah]

If I knew I were going to die suddenly in one year, I think what I'd do right now would be to focus more on comfort instead of lots of spirit work, and on getting the One Important Thing done that I need to do. Once it's sufficiently accomplished, I'd worry more about having a reasonably good end of life than I would about lots of awful things that need rectifying -- but I'd definitely address at least one more thing that I need fixed.

Then after death I'd get to all the crap work I need to accomplish. Sure, lots can change in a year, but holy shit I normally think in terms of generations rather than days.

Yes ...

[ysabetwordsmith]

>>but holy shit I normally think in terms of generations rather than days.<<

I know that feel.