TABOO TOPICS: Are some things too scary to contemplate? Two techniques to ensure death is not too scary to contemplate for you

DEATHLY TABOOS
We live, we die. That is a fact of life. People worldwide refuse to talk about it, refuse to think about it and refuse to do anything about it. They brush it under the carpet. Do they think it will not happen to them! Wrong! We all die at some time and it is ostrich behavior not to make plans. Ostrich behavior: A person who refuses to face reality. There is a notion that ostriches hide from danger by burying their head in the sand.

LIFE AND DEATH
Some of us live as if there is no tomorrow! Mere mortals we are, and just as we should prepare for life, we should also have an eye on death and make sure, for example, that our loved ones are taken care of. Do you have life insurance? If you have a spouse, children and dependent parents then you really should have some coverage. It is only fair.

WHEN YOU KNOW HOW TO LIVE YOU KNOW HOW TO DIE
Death can take us by surprise: natural or manmade disasters kill. Natural calamities hit rapidly, from earthquakes and volcanic eruptions to sudden floods, while wars and accidents take their toll too. Even when it comes to our bodily functions, death can swiftly come almost without warning from heart attacks and fatal strokes. However, death may come more slowly and there is time to make more plans.

TWO TECHNIQUES FOR A BETTER LIFE
1. A technique for a better life is to write your obituary. An obituary is a statement that is published after your death and talks about your contributions to life. If you were to write one now, what would it contain? If the answer is not much, then you know you should live more and contribute more to making this a better world.
2. Eulogies are spoken at funerals. Usually people attempt to say something nice about you, your life, your achievements and how good people thought you were. Will they be lost for words? Make a good eulogy a reality now.

DO YOU WANT PEOPLE TO CRY OR CELEBRATE?
It’s your funeral so how do you want it to be? In Singapore, the Lien Foundation and the St Joseph’s Home and Hospice want to change the mindset of people towards death. These organizations have initiated the Happy Coffins project in an attempt to overtu
the stigma of death and transform fear with a more positive approach to death. Colorful coffins with words such as DO NOT CRY. I HAD A GOOD LIFE are examples of an upbeat reminder that we should celebrate and honour a person’s life be glad that they had a good life. So let us celebrate both life and death.

BLESSING FOR A GOOD LIFE
B: Better worlds are created by better contributions. Think about your contribution and how the world benefits from you being here and now.
L: Living life to the fullest is so important. Lost for words about death. Do not be. It is a fact of life.
E: Endings should be sweet. The Chinese have a proverb that the banquet always ends at some stage. Make sure it was a good banquet and that the ending is always good.
S: Savor your life and make it as sweet as possible.
S: Savor and enjoy the journey.
Y: You should throw aside your fears. Face your fears and conquer them about death. You have had a good life. That is what you should be able to say when the end comes.
O: Ostrich behavior may work for the ostrich but not for humans. Think about what people would say about you in an obituary. Write a brilliant one now and work to make that a reality.
U: Ultimately, no one gets out alive. So make the living the best that you can.

BLESSING FOR A GOOD LIFE FOR YOU
B: Bless my life. I bless my life every day by living the best I can.
L: Living it up. Every day I live it up.
E: Embrace life. I embrace and enjoy my life.
S: Smile on your life. I smile as much as possible on my life.
S: Sweet thoughts about life and death make both life and death more palatable. Sweet thoughts are mine always.

Y: You have a great life. I have a great life too.
O: Our lives matter. My life matters too.
U: Understanding brings wisdom. I am wise too.