Episode 032: Embrace Life, Acknowledge Death
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Hey there, friends! Welcome back to another episode of Live Your Truth Love Your Life. Keeping in spirit of the Thursday format, this is going to be a shorter episode, but one that I believe will give you something to think about. Today, we're reflecting on a profound quote from Elisabeth Kubler Ross's book, "Death: The Final Stage of Growth." The quote goes, "It is the denial of death that is partially responsible for people living empty, purposeless lives; for when you live as if you'll live forever, it becomes too easy to postpone the things you know that you must do."
I want to give you a quick backstory. I was doing the #Gratitude30 challenge, and I wrote a post about quotes. One of the quotes I included was from the poet Atticus, “Time is all we have and don’t.” I didn’t look ahead in the challenge so I didn’t realize the next day was about gratitude for time. The Elisabeth Kubler Ross quote felt appropriate, because I think we can only appreciate time when we understand that we don’t have forever. So all this to say, I’ve been thinking about this for several days, so I wanted to share it with you.
I know talking about death can be uncomfortable, and I know this might sound a bit intense, but stay with me. There's something liberating and life-affirming in acknowledging our mortality. In our culture, we're so often taught to shy away from discussing or even thinking about death. But Elisabeth Kubler Ross challenges us to do the exact opposite.
When we live in denial of death, we tend to fall into complacency. We put off our dreams, delay our goals, and sometimes, we stop living authentically. We tell ourselves, "There's always tomorrow." But the truth is, life is finite. Each day is a precious opportunity that we can't afford to waste.
I want to invite you, in this moment, to think about what you might be postponing in your own life. What dreams or goals are you putting on the back burner? What conversations are you avoiding? What experiences are you delaying? And most importantly, what changes can you make to start living more fully, right now? 2024 is quickly approaching, so I know most of us are starting to reflect on this year and think about what we want for next year.
This quote reminds us to embrace the life we have, to cherish every moment, and to make the most out of our time. It’s not about being morbid; it’s about being present and intentional. It's about recognizing that by accepting the inevitability of death, we can actually learn to live more fully, more purposefully, and with greater authenticity.
So, as we wrap up today's episode, I encourage you to take a moment to reflect on your life. Are you living in alignment with your deepest values and desires? Are you making the most of every day? Let's not wait for a wakeup call to start living the life we truly want.
Thank you for joining me! I hope this inspires you to at least think about how you could live today more fully, how you can pursue your passions, and to embrace the beautiful, finite nature of life. Until next time, live your truth, love your life.
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Reflect on the quote by Elisabeth Kubler Ross, 'It is the denial of death that is partially responsible for people living empty, purposeless lives; for when you live as if you'll live forever, it becomes too easy to postpone the things you know that you must do.'
How does this perspective influence the way you view your life goals, daily actions, and overall purpose?
Consider areas of your life where you might be postponing important actions or decisions due to a lack of urgency or a sense of infinite time.
Write about steps you can take to live more intentionally and fully, starting today.
Take your time with these questions. Sit with them, revisit them, and most importantly, act on them. It’s time to turn your insight into action.
There are no limits to this exercise - let your mind roam free, and be as detailed and creative as you can. The more vivid your visualization, the more tangible your dream will feel.
This is your time, your moment, your opportunity to make magic. Believe in your own potential, and let's see where this journey can take us. Happy journaling!
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