Saturday, 11 December 2010
Requiem in Retrospect
As a precursor, I would like to mention that this post is inspired by the recent episode of Bones. An amazing episode indeed. As a matter of fact, this episode managed to visualise two or more concepts I had in my drafts that I have yet able to vocalise satisfactorily. And it hit home splendidly. That's why I decided to take a little time out from my schedule to try to do a little writing. The end product may not be anywhere near my best works, but I feel that it sufficiently captures the essence of the message. I however reserve the write to edit or delete this post should I deem it unsatisfactory at a later stage.
Death & Dying
In this world, there is one thing that binds every one of us. One thing that makes kings and peasants equal. That one certainty that must be faced by all, willing or otherwise. Death.
Some deaths occur at the most unexpected of times, some come with prior notice, and some come when life hasn’t even begun. However, one thing is certain; it does come, and when it does, it leaves behind scars no amount of time can fully heal.
The after effect of death may not seep in instantly as we remain unable to accept the fact that someone is gone, and will never again be there as they were just the day before. Sometimes we will never register that fact. But make no mistake; it came and there is no turning back. We can never undo a life taken away.
I find the only consolation to the event is that it forces us to reflect and re-evaluate ourselves. Our life choices. Our habits. Our quirks. Our entire existence. You wonder how and why Death has taken that person. What makes the deceased different from ourselves? Could I have been the one lying there instead?
If that were to be me, what impact would it have on the lives of those around us? Will our presence merely be forgotten like a speck of dust in the history of humankind, or will our memories live on in the hearts and minds of those we cherish? Who will be at my funeral? Will there be someone to cry at my grave, or will I even get a grave? Seemingly easy questions to answer, but fresh of a recent exposure to death, one is forced to look for the answers with a, if not crude, overtly-realistic and unforgiving set of eyes. The answers we come up with may not be what we expect, or even what we always thought to be true. T.S. Eliot's quote rings true here more than ever:"I will show you fear in a handful of dust".
After nursing our ego's, we then might question our life thus far. What would have been our biggest regrets had we not have a tomorrow? What will be the one thing we wished we haven't left unsaid? Did we draw lines in the sand that alienated people we still hold dear in our hearts? Is it not too late to call a truce? Where do we even begin?
In life, we all make choices. Some of which we may not have been particularly proud of. Some we do not see the negative implications of until reflected upon in hindsight. Some wrongs may be righted, but others do not come undone, try as we might. However, with a departure of a life, what we define as permanent may not seem all that everlasting. We notice cracks in our previously flawless logic. We see routes where none previously existed. Maybe we can find a way to mend fences with old nemesis. Maybe there is a way to balance work and personal relationships. Maybe there was no actual need to bite off the barista's head for being a little slow with the coffee.
It is all too easy to lose perspective of life when we get so tied up with our own definition of life. It's not until our lives get shook up in some way that we realised how tunnel-visioned we have become. It is also equally easy to relapse back to our old ways as we go on with our lives. For some, the constant reminder of change may also be a constant reminder of death that may to be painful to bear all the time.
What then is the point of this all? This post, as with life, has no clear meaning. It stands here today because of choices made and consequences that follow. There may be no merit in my posting of it, but I believe it better to be as I have one note I wish to share; No one walks away from death quite the same.
However, many may choose, be it consciously or subconsciously, to avoid the matter and let It lay low in our minds for now, hoping that some day we can all wake up and find that it was all a horrible, lucid dream. How many of us try to get on with our lives, just to realize that something is not quite right? Normalcy seemed to have been restored, but small gaping holes still remain in our hearts and minds. It never feels quite right to just go on with life after the passing of someone in our life, even though the role they play seem to be not one of significance.
"Silence ensues when awaiting a reply from the deceased. We just can’t help but hope and wish that the familiar voice will reply us just like how we knew they did once upon a time. I admit defeat. No person can object to Death’s final decision. So long…"
But persist we must, as the only other fate worse than death is not living at all. Live, laugh, and love as life takes it course. The journey will inevitably have to reach its end, but why not make it a fulfilling one?
Death & Dying
In this world, there is one thing that binds every one of us. One thing that makes kings and peasants equal. That one certainty that must be faced by all, willing or otherwise. Death.
Some deaths occur at the most unexpected of times, some come with prior notice, and some come when life hasn’t even begun. However, one thing is certain; it does come, and when it does, it leaves behind scars no amount of time can fully heal.
The after effect of death may not seep in instantly as we remain unable to accept the fact that someone is gone, and will never again be there as they were just the day before. Sometimes we will never register that fact. But make no mistake; it came and there is no turning back. We can never undo a life taken away.
I find the only consolation to the event is that it forces us to reflect and re-evaluate ourselves. Our life choices. Our habits. Our quirks. Our entire existence. You wonder how and why Death has taken that person. What makes the deceased different from ourselves? Could I have been the one lying there instead?
If that were to be me, what impact would it have on the lives of those around us? Will our presence merely be forgotten like a speck of dust in the history of humankind, or will our memories live on in the hearts and minds of those we cherish? Who will be at my funeral? Will there be someone to cry at my grave, or will I even get a grave? Seemingly easy questions to answer, but fresh of a recent exposure to death, one is forced to look for the answers with a, if not crude, overtly-realistic and unforgiving set of eyes. The answers we come up with may not be what we expect, or even what we always thought to be true. T.S. Eliot's quote rings true here more than ever:"I will show you fear in a handful of dust".
After nursing our ego's, we then might question our life thus far. What would have been our biggest regrets had we not have a tomorrow? What will be the one thing we wished we haven't left unsaid? Did we draw lines in the sand that alienated people we still hold dear in our hearts? Is it not too late to call a truce? Where do we even begin?
In life, we all make choices. Some of which we may not have been particularly proud of. Some we do not see the negative implications of until reflected upon in hindsight. Some wrongs may be righted, but others do not come undone, try as we might. However, with a departure of a life, what we define as permanent may not seem all that everlasting. We notice cracks in our previously flawless logic. We see routes where none previously existed. Maybe we can find a way to mend fences with old nemesis. Maybe there is a way to balance work and personal relationships. Maybe there was no actual need to bite off the barista's head for being a little slow with the coffee.
It is all too easy to lose perspective of life when we get so tied up with our own definition of life. It's not until our lives get shook up in some way that we realised how tunnel-visioned we have become. It is also equally easy to relapse back to our old ways as we go on with our lives. For some, the constant reminder of change may also be a constant reminder of death that may to be painful to bear all the time.
What then is the point of this all? This post, as with life, has no clear meaning. It stands here today because of choices made and consequences that follow. There may be no merit in my posting of it, but I believe it better to be as I have one note I wish to share; No one walks away from death quite the same.
However, many may choose, be it consciously or subconsciously, to avoid the matter and let It lay low in our minds for now, hoping that some day we can all wake up and find that it was all a horrible, lucid dream. How many of us try to get on with our lives, just to realize that something is not quite right? Normalcy seemed to have been restored, but small gaping holes still remain in our hearts and minds. It never feels quite right to just go on with life after the passing of someone in our life, even though the role they play seem to be not one of significance.
"Silence ensues when awaiting a reply from the deceased. We just can’t help but hope and wish that the familiar voice will reply us just like how we knew they did once upon a time. I admit defeat. No person can object to Death’s final decision. So long…"
But persist we must, as the only other fate worse than death is not living at all. Live, laugh, and love as life takes it course. The journey will inevitably have to reach its end, but why not make it a fulfilling one?
Monkey J
19:43
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19:43
0 commented