Tuesday 9 October 2012

Death- A Sabbatical Lifestyle


Perfectionism as we know it has always been an abomination that people look up to in their lives. The moments since they are born they start planning their futures, the cars they would drive, the houses they would own and all the luxuries of the world. But often at certain places inadvertently we lose to do the things we love in our life. Just because that we are so constantly planning for our future, the present seems to be of the minimal concern for us. Reading once an excerpt by Helen Keller made me arouse just one question “what would you do if you are going to die the next day?”
How is it going to affect you? All the planning you did for your future will work out? There is this human nature that is always prepared of everything life, friends, spouses, children, divorces, or the children’s future plan. But when it comes to death people are not. There is still a part of them that would do different things if they knew that the present day was their last day! How the human mind starts paying attention to small subtleties and silhouettes in our life and we start doing the things that we wanted to do before lying down lifeless. And through this that people start paying attention to the manifolds of gift bestowed to them. People start understanding the nature and hence this brings a different coolness in their virtue and their behaviour. But certainly People at times have done things that they don’t love but yet there have been many who have defied the laws of nature just to do what they want. For example Elvis Presley sang, though he died young but atlas he did what he wanted in his life and so did Marilyn Monroe or some cricketers, footballers or artistes.
Why is it that people often attach a tag of “IF ONLY” in their lives. If only they could fulfil this or if only they could have that. Why is it that people are not prepared when their doomsday comes? And yes the word “If Only” has amused a lot of people in past, present and eras to come. And the questions arising out start that “if only the got a second chance they could have started their life all over again” or for that matter “if only had their son been alive they could have let him do things differently”. And that’s what people regret at the end of their life. So why is it that instead of making amendments in the future or the past they should change the present. Many people die with just a wish in their heart that they didn’t fulfil it. So hence whenever you start your day start it with an ideology that it is your last day. And that will make a considerable impact in your life. Because at times

A Psalm of Life
Tell me not in mournful numbers,
Life is but an empty dream!
For the soul is dead that slumbers,
And things are not what they seem.

Life is real! Life is earnest!
And the grave is not its goal;
Dust thou are, to dust thou returnest,
Was not spoken of the soul.

Not enjoyment, and not sorrow,
Is our destined end or way;
But to act, that each tomorrow
Find us farther than today.

Art is long, and Time is fleeting,
And our hearts, though stout and brave,
Still, like muffled drums, are beating
Funeral marches to the grave.

In the world's broad field of battle,
In the bivouac of Life,
Be not like dumb, driven cattle!
Be a hero in the strife!

Trust no Future, howe'er pleasant!
Let the dead Past bury its dead!
Act, - act in the living Present!
Heart within, and God o'erhead!
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow