How We Live is How We Die

The way we deal with minor changes in our lives now shows us how we'll deal with the significant changes we'll experience later.

We can choose to adapt, have a positive mindset, and accept change, or we can resist and suffer. This choice includes how we face the ultimate challenge - our mortality.

When things start to crumble around us (which they inevitably do), we can let it break or strengthen us. Trying to hold onto something that's falling apart is futile. Instead, we can muster the strength to rebuild from the ashes. Our ability to adapt and cope with change makes us resilient. Similarly, building our resilience during difficult times can help us embrace letting go and accepting death as a natural part of life.

Also, our mindset plays a crucial role in approaching life and death. A negative attitude can lead to frustration, hopelessness, and even despair when things are going as we would like. However, cultivating a positive mindset can help us find gifts under challenging circumstances - including the eventual exit of the life force from our bodies.

One such mindset is called "acceptance." Acceptance is about acknowledging things the way they are and that we cannot change and control everything. That includes accepting our mortality. It doesn't mean giving up or letting go of your values, beliefs, or relationships. Instead, it means realizing that everything changes, and eventually, we all die. It's about living in the present and accepting life as it comes.

Gratitude is another powerful mindset that calms fear and anxiety. Learning to be thankful for what we have instead of being frustrated by what we lack goes a long way in cultivating happiness, and being grateful for little things like a warm meal, a roof over our heads, or a kind word can lift our spirits. When we cultivate gratitude, we shift our focus from fear to love. It helps us appreciate life as it is, instead of worrying about what might happen. Practicing gratitude can also help us find peace when dealing with the inevitable reality of death.

Ultimately, living and dying are two sides of the same coin. How we approach life reflects how we're going to deal with death. The way we deal with minor changes in our lives shows us how we'll deal with the significant changes we'll experience later. If we can learn to adapt, have a positive mindset, accept change, and cultivate gratitude, we can live our lives to the fullest and face death gracefully.

David Langiulli?is an Executive Coach, Jiu-Jitsu Practitioner, and Author. This essay is an excerpt from his forthcoming book,?Bringing the Human Back into Being.