[cal823]

Each day, so many people die.
Hundreds suicide
Many overdose
Some are murdered
There are fatal accidents
Great atrocities
Some are worked to death
Some are killed for what they believe
Some are martyrs
Some fade, quitly, in a bed.
Lest we forget these anomonous millions who have passed away.
We see stuff on the news, like "100 dead in bombing" or "boy dies in car crash" and it seems like its business as usual... we never met them, so we don't really feel much for them, its all so cold and impersonal, ITS NOT FAIR THAT WE FEEL BARELY ANYTHING FOR THE LIFE OF THE PERSON WE NEVER MET OR SPOKE TO.
We mourn and mourn and mourn when someone we love dies, but are they any more precious than the cold and dead millions in holes and pits in the ground? The ashen clouds of smoke rising from the crematory and the funeral pyres? The forgotten body underneath the waves or in the brush?

[firmbeliever]

A very thought provoking
True account of our normal everyday life.

"100 dies in a bomb blast"
And our response is "Oh my God!", then change the channel!

How numbed have we become to the world as a whole and humanity in general.

I think the main reason is that our daily lives are a struggle in itself and the other thing is that we feel really helpless not being able to do anything for those in such far off places and some of us hope that it will go away if we don't acknwledge it.

[magprob]

You never hear anyone complain about being dead.

[Clough]

Pretty heavy thoughts, cal823.

Death is a part of life. In my opinion, when a person dies, that is not the end of their life, but only another beginning. What type of beginning can depend on many things, like what the person believed in and where, if anywhere, they believe what they truly are as persons will go when they die. If we were to keep track of every person who died and also be mindful of their passing, then we would be consumed with such a thing. I think that it would make up most of what we would do everyday.

I believe in remembering those who have died, for whatever reason, in the form of prayer devoted to such a thing.

I am sure that others will come along to contribute their opinions also in addition to the ones above.

[startover22]

So much death that is meaningless is hard to live with for me. I can deal with my grandmother dying, at least I think I can, we will see when the time comes, on the other hand the little child being tortured in all sorts of ways then murdered is something I cannot conect with. There are a lot of us pushing it to the way side, I think about it daily... May peace be with the dead! Thank you Cal, I like this post very much...

[Chery]

Personally it makes me sad for a few minutes. But with all the other negative things going on in the world around me, I have to make it short and sweet and then go on or I would seriously go crazy. Sometimes I have to look at it this way - at least those souls don't have to face pain, hunger, misery, or any other bad things. And then I hope that they each had at least a little joy while on this planet.

Sometimes, that's all we can hope for.

[cal823]

Thanks guys, I needed to have that little rant :)
It sucks, I think lately death and morbid thoughts have been creeping back into my mind again.

[Clough]

thanks guys, i needed to have that little rant :)
it sucks, i think lately death and morbid thoughts have been creeping back into my mind again.

You are welcome for the thoughts! Thoughts of death and morbidity creep into my mind fairly frequently. I think that it is not a good thing to worry about things about which we have no control. If we do have control or are capable of having control over them, then I would worry about them.

None of us dies with another person. It is very much an individual, personal thing. I think that the best thing that we can do is move ever onward and upward in the life that each of us has to live. This taking into account what we believe about life and what will happen when when and after we die. These are thoughts that we all must live with. It is a matter of choice as to what we think about them. We must live with the choices that we make.

[startover22]

Clough, your second paragraph hit home with me, it is what matters most! Cal, your thoughts are right on, and if we remember the fallen everyonce in a while, it may bring a little peace for you... say something sweet and then move about your day, no dwelling. Sad but true sweet..

[cal823]

Hmmm mite be a good idea startover, you guys are awesome by the way.
I'm lucky that yesterday I listened to happy music, I've been in a bit of a sad mood lately, but I'm sort of happier now.

[shatteredsoul]

Maybe there is something in the air because I too, have been feeling sad, sappy, moody, I don't know what the heck it is. I think most people have to compartmentalize all the feelings they have to be able to manage everyday life and everyone in it. Yes, so many things in the world happen everyday that we turn a blind eye to, or we harden our hearts because it is too painful to think about all the time. HOWEVER, you have to realize that what you pay attention to, and focus on, will become your perception and your reality of you aren't careful. It is dangerous for our minds to only think about death, or killing, or violence, or all the mindless hunger and devastation in the world. What we can do, is focus on how to be an instrument of peace, how to live in awareness and be helpful, affect change in the world and notice the miracles and the goodness that surrounds us. IT is a matter of perception. The news doesn't focus on all the positive in the world, that honestly doesn't make ratings or sell newspapers or magazines. What sells is drama and violence and devastation. Sad as it may be, that is the truth. WE can choose to not pay attention to those things and we can get ourselves motivated to be the driving force behind the change we so desire in the world. IT begins with us. You can notice the blue sky and the birds circling above your head, and the colors in the flowers you pass by everyday, or you can notice the car accident, the rudeness or people, the traffic you are in, or whatever brings you down. WE have everything we need, we are socialized to think we need more. If we do small things everyday that help save animals, or Mother Nature, or to conserve water, or to raise awareness in others to have compassion for these things, it will help us to see the good in things. WE will feel for those that have passed, and we will know they are where they are supposed to be. The pain and agony people suffer here, doesn't go with them. Yes, tragedies happen everyday, but so do miracles. Love and goodness is everywhere, we just need to readjust our focus and quiet or busy minds to see and feel it. Your ability to feel and analyze shows you have amazing insight and awareness, use it in a way we can all benefit from.

[startover22]

Shattered, readjusting our focus to the good things is a wonderful idea. I just loved your post. We can still mourne the fallen and still look on the bright side. There is nothing wrong with that. My only thing is that we seem to overlook the dead or forget too quickly. Look around us, we really do have what we need, if you have something you don't need, give it to someone. Say these things out loud you guys, someone will hear you. Hugs, Start

[shatteredsoul]

Yes, yes start. WE NEVER SHould forget. I live my life with a constant memory and reminder of who I have lost. IT stays with me, it hurts, but I know they are part of this infinite existence that I cannot even comprehend. They still love me and I still love them. As for all the others that have passed and suffered, I love them and I pray for all the families that are left to deal with the heartbreak. I think you are right, we do have to give to someone else and something good comes back. Yes, we shouldn't forget, we should live our lives in their honor and make it better for those that are here. We have a personal responsibility to be loving and kind. Imagine if everyone took heed and actually was. What a wonderful world this would be. So, today, I start with me.

Love to you all, and all that have gone before us.

[cal823]

Shattered... beautiful post. Hugs all around :)
I guess the best memorial you can create for the dead is a better world for the living.

[startover22]

shattered...beautiful post. hugs all around :)
i guess the best memorial you can create for the dead is a better world for the living.

Perfectly said. Cal, you have so many great questions and answers. Y:p ou seem to amaze me at times.

[Clough]

Yes, yes start. WE NEVER SHould forget. I live my life with a constant memory and reminder of who I have lost. IT stays with me, it hurts, but I know they are part of this infinite existence that I cannot even comprehend. They still love me and I still love them. As for all the others that have passed and suffered, I love them and I pray for all the families that are left to deal with the heartbreak. I think you are right, we do have to give to someone else and something good comes back. Yes, we shouldn't forget, we should live our lives in their honor and make it better for those that are here. We have a personal responsibility to be loving and kind. Imagine if everyone took heed and actually was. What a wonderful world this would be. So, today, I start with me.

Love to you all, and all that have gone before us.

Wonderful post!

[Clough]

i guess the best memorial you can create for the dead is a better world for the living.

If we make a cycle of this, then it should continue for generations to come.

[cal823]

Thanks everyone, thanks start, your all such amazing people.

[iAMfromHuntersBar]

Hey, I've just found out my Grandad died this morning then spotted this post! Lol! How strange!

[cal823]

Aaaaaaw are you okay hunters?
You want to talk about it?
Wow, I was talking about my grandads death a year or two ago with one of my friends just a moment ago!