Death, as I define it, signifies the end. Often, we associate it with the end of life, manifesting in permanent exits like funerals. However, it can also represent the demise of an era, friendships, relationships, or even shedding old skin and embracing a new, profound purpose that sets us apart from conventional customs and beliefs.
Regrettably, I’ve personally experienced all of these aspects. Farewells to loved ones, the closure of life chapters, and lingering ponderings about the reasons behind these experiences—bad decisions, life’s natural cycle, or coping mechanisms—have all shaped my journey.
Ultimately, the choice between understanding and suppression, discipline and weakness, or acceptance and resignation lies within us. Perhaps, it’s simply the harsh reality of life—the call for extreme experiences that evoke both pain and happiness—that dictates the course of action and the coping mechanisms we adopt. Maturity, in some cases, may play a role in navigating these challenges.
They say, “It’s only an ‘L’ if there’s no lesson.” Death can evoke intense emotions like hate, anger, sadness, or even a sudden desire to embrace happiness, love more deeply, and pursue it relentlessly. By pursuing happiness, we can live and thrive in environments where we openly accept death and the emotions that accompany it. Perhaps, beyond the end of life, we can wildly pursue death by shedding our skin, chasing experiences, and being grateful for all the emotions we endure that ultimately shape our identity. I want to train my heart to stop compartmentalizing death and open my mind to the possibility that most of the deaths we experience in life can, in a way, give God his way of making “all things new.” In early 2025, I died. As I face rebirth, I have a decision to make: who do I want to be born again as?
What are your thoughts?
All I Need is One Mike 