Death Is NOT The Enemy

Many people are preoccupied with staying young, avoiding the appearance of getting older, and doing everything possible to avoid end-of-life (EOL) and EOL conversations. 

I've always been interested in death, and eventually began pursuing education and gaining knowledge to help others navigate this journey.  In the beginning of my process to become a Death Doula, someone asked me "Why are you so preoccupied with death? Im all about living, not dying!"   I wasn't surprised or offended by this comment because I do not feel that talking about death, dying and grief is a negative thing, but  more of an honor to be able to look at all aspects of living, which happens to include death.

Death is:
Inescapable.
A natural occurrence.
100% guaranteed event.

So why:
Do we ignore it?
Don't we talk about it?
Don't we take time to explore it?
Don't we honor it as an integral part of life?

To me, death is not the enemy! It is my thinking about death, dying and grief that are the enemy!

I have:
Chosen to dig deep into my own history of experiences with death (and how I have reacted to it).

Gained knowledge about the many end-of-life options that I, and my loved ones, have.

The willingness of understanding that death is a teacher for what is important in life, and this gives me the ability to live my life differently.

And finally, because of my beliefs, I am able to helps others in their final journey.  What a gift.

Death Is NOT The Enemy