3 Things to do before your die
Tuesday, July 24, 2007 at 6:25PM A new Australian television show examines weird and wonderful things individuals aspire to experience before they die. Many of these ideas involve adventure sports or pushing themselves mentally or physically to their perceived limits. What about intangibles like experiencing true love, success and fulfillment? What do these options say to you? Do you have other ideas?
1) Make a pilgrimage. The destination might be a traditional one such as Jerusalem or Rome or Mecca. It might be a site of prehistoric rituals, like Stonehenge, Tibet or Machu Picchu. Nature-lovers may head to the African savanna, Alaska, the Canadian Rockies, Victoria Falls, Amazonian rain forest or Antarctica. Music-lovers may dream of Athens or Bayreuth. Find yourself. Do what comes naturally.
2) Feel like part of something bigger, something that touches your soul. The reward will be a precious, immeasurable moment, whether it's hearing the "Gloria" at St. Peter's or watching a penguin take its first step in the Southern Hemisphere. Explore those things that make you feel truly alive. Dabble in creative pursuits or follow your spirit. Where you choose to go and what you choose to do are guided by how you feel.
3) Eat a memorable meal. When the end comes for you, there is a distinct possibility that you will be in no position to enjoy your preferred foods. Yet, if you plan ahead, you will not pass on wondering what certain things would taste like. Where will this meal be served? Who would prepare it? Perhaps you desire to learn to prepare it yourself? Go that extra mile and then some.
Reader Comments (7)
These are absolutely great suggestions. I'm going to make it a point to add them to the list of things I'd like to do before I die. Although truth be told I'm already doing a pretty dang good on the eating of memorable meals! :) I love cooking for and eating with friends and love it all the more when great care has gone into food choice and preparation.
The prospect of dying causes some people to reflect on things they do already. If you feel you live life to the fullest, that's great. Not everyone focuses on what they truly love. Not everyone knows themselves so well or what their passions are.
For people who are content, doing what they love is like deja-vu. Yet, if re-living certain experiences is desirable and possible, then you can still evolve within yourself and get more meaning and enjoyment out of life. Whenever you do anything, you have the possibility of learning and perceiving differently than the last time. If you hear someone express the goal of returning to a place of special significance, of cooking a favorite meal, of being honest and true in self-expression, each exertion can still seem new and more rewarding because of what it symbolizes.
I've taken some fantastic trips, but nothing I would consider a pilgrimage. What would you say constitutes a pilgrimage?
A pilgrimage can mean different things to each person.
In my mind, it would be a long or challenging journey undertaken as a quest or for a votive purpose. For example, you might desire to pay homage to a tomb of admired writers or entertainers. You might visit the home of Anne Frank before she was found by Nazis or a place where an admired musician regularly composed. You might also travel to some sacred place as an act of religious or spiritual devotion, as where a supposed miracle has taken place or where you hope for one to happen. Whatever your view, a pilgrimage can be part of your own personal transformation.
I think the real value of your post is to let people prepare in mind for death. For a moment they stop and think about it, without fear, as a normal practical task.
Great! I learn from you.
Thanks for your views. To open the mind is to realize life is full of infinite possibilties.
You might ask yourself why people choose to believe death is something to fear. External influences tend to bombard us with opinions. Yet, how many of them have had first-hand experience 'in death & back?' It makes sense to to learn to reflect in your own mind. After all, fear may be seen as an illusion we create to avoid underlying truth.
One alternative is to assume that you have nothing to fear. Some people believe they are energy beings that never die, but rather, simply change form when their time comes to move on. Whatever your view, the willingness to remain open to new ideas is the key to discovering new kinds of joy in the here and now.