Wait Death or Ride Life

When we talk about death and life side by side, it seems easy to say to value the latter because of the former. Why can’t we value life without opposing it to death? People always say, “You only live once.” What’s that even supposed to mean? Make the best out of my life because I only got one life to live, is that it? Sure, I only have one life in this lifetime but aren’t we living every single day? We are living in time, in space, in this world of the living. 

This is not the world of the dead, is it? 

You deny and accept life and death at the same time in the same way only because you have no choice. 

But what is death? Sure, it’s the end of life. 

But what is it about death that makes your life so significant all suddenly? 

Was it significant though? 

Are you living now so essentially that you would not have any regrets when you die…anytime? 

I realized life needs death but I don’t recognize the value of any means to live knowing what would be the end. 

What’s the point of living if all that there is does not mean anything once death takes in? You once feared dying; now you fear living. You fear that you aren’t making the best out of your life; you fear that your life is not as important as others because you feel you aren’t doing enough as them; you fear that you won’t matter once you’re gone because even now that you’re here, you do not matter at all, do you? 

But is it life you fear, my dear, or has it always been death that terrifies you of living the life you have in mind? 

The wisest people must also fear death as you do; they are just like you – you have the same ending. But do you know what separates them from us? It is the manner of life they have lived. They have lived knowing that there’s an end and there’s nothing to do but accept it as it is. Whereas, you, as a person as you can be, still fear the end – so you try to live a life you think worth living and worth leaving. 

Although I know an old man, who was no philosopher but turned out to be, got afraid of death too. He has regrets and with regrets came his lessons. He feared it was too late because time was up for him until he learned to forgive himself. Despite being afraid of his end, he knew too well he should accept it and I think that’s how you ought to live your life too, my friend. Nothing is ever too late when you still have time. You can either wait death or ride life before you realize whether there is a point in doing anything – you may not understand it, but know that your life means something.

Tuesdays with Morrie (1999), Reflection paper

PHILO 1 (Introduction to Philosophy)

7 October 2018

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