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people seek to let others know they are forgiven. Others seek forgiveness for past wrongs.
Some find that the physical world itself doesn't matter as much as spiritual development, and hence, they lose much of their attachment to this world. Death standing very close to you makes much of the physical world and its activities seem very temporary and trivial, while some of the trivial now seem much more important. Unexpectedly, you may want to take the time to see a sunrise and experience other simple pleasures.

I believe death has been my teacher in showing me what is really important. I am young, so as my peers are trying to make a name for themselves, accumulating money and possessions and working 50+ hours a week, I find that the extra money and other dangling carrots do not appeal to me. For me, time to do the things I now see as important is more valuable than money. I try to spend time wisely instead of squandering it and wasting it.
I am living my life to the fullest. I try to squeeze every ounce of life form each second from each day. Regrets have become a thing of the past with death as my teacher. If only I did this instead of chickening out, death tells me "carpe diem, my friend." With death at my shoulder, I tend to seize the day more often, for I am willing to take that chance because this may be my last chance. This is not to say I have become reckless, but the risks and costs appear differently. Procrastination diminishes for the same reason. What needs to get done is done because I may not have another chance.

In living this way, I foresee that when my time comes, I will not leave as much to be done as I would have. And in all likelihood, I will not hesitate to accept death's hand when he gestures that it is my time.

Death, for me, is not to be feared. It is a teacher and companion. In the end, death will release me from a frail body, a painful injury, or however I leave this world, and usher me to a new beginning. In the meantime, I live life to the fullest.

Learn more about this author, Eric Putkonen.
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