Got death?

[High Baller]

This is not as morbid of a conversation as it may sound. It takes a proactive person to ask a question and take time to answer such as one posed on this site. I respect all of you folks who are here and looking at you life as such.

Facing death in the military gave me a completely new outlook on the world and my life. I remember, knowing we were going into a "hot" zone, I had regrets. I regretted not having kids, and not fishing more. I really thought I was going to die.

I am wondering how you folks feel about that? Does one really have to look death in the face before one can really ponder one's death? Such as someone who has terminal cancer.

I work in emergency medicine as a physician assistant. For those who are not sure what my job duties are, I do 95% of what any emergency room physician would do. Three weeks ago I had a teenager get struck and killed by a train. breaking the news to mom was the worst case of my life. I see it all the time, but this one was extremely ruff.

How afraid of you of death?

Also, a humble comment after reading a number of people's life goals. There are some of you folks that have goals that can not be measured. Such as, "I want to be happy," or "I want to live life with no regrets." Those are mottos, not really goals. Better goals are to make them more concrete, such as "I want to run a marathon," or I want to read one book a month for 5 years," or "I want to be able to play 20 songs by heart on a piano."

And for the girl who said she wanted ti kiss a stranger, I would be pleased to help.

[Amelia]

I'm so terrified of death I won't ride a rollercoaster because of the 3 people a year who die on them...I always ask my friends if the three people had died already before they are about to push me on. Stupid but thats who I am.

[Moonlight]

I have never been in the face of death, but I imagine it must be scary. I am not afraid of dying, as I am firm believer, but I have the apprehension for those that will be left behind. And I hope that when I die I will have accomplished something with my life. And finding buried life has rekindled in me a desire to help others.

[Destiny]

I haven't stared death in the face before .. no .. but I have lost a couple of people who mean more than the world to me. 4 months ago .. I lost my boyfriend/ best friend of 15 years to a car accident ... that thought me that you can never take life for granted .. you can never be too sure that you will live to see tomorrow cause .... well you don't know what lies in your future..

2 weeks ago i was freaking out .. reason being 1/4 of malaysian 17 year olds were being picked to participate in army boot camp (National Service) (yes girls included) ...

It takes a real brave person to get involved with the army ... I am a chicken ... and i'm not afraid to admit it ..

To me the army means .... a severe dose of sacrifice... a couple of my uncles joined the army and they .. well never came back ...

so when the selection week came .. i feared .. for my life...

you may think im an over exaggerated brat by the end of this post .. think what you want .. but this is who i am ..

and Mr. Baller... i admire your bravery :) we need more people like u in our world .. and less like me ><</body>

[High Baller]

I appreciate the post.

Let me offer you this: we as a people have a thing about focusing on our flaws. Or our shortcomings. And not our natural talents and strengths. You, having the self insight to know the military is not for you, does not mean, for a second, that it represents a character flaw.

Harness your unique strength. You determine how you define your destiny. My strength, at that time, was of a Marine, a combatant.

What's your talent? What's your unique gift? How do you paint the world beautiful?

I appreciate your post, none the less.

[Destiny]

we'll see .. i'm ... well .. somewhat artistic .. I dance, sing, paint, sketch, write music / poetry .. really into photography .. and it would be a dream come true to one day be a model .. but how is that supposed to help paint the world beautiful? these are only mediocre talents ... that most people have .. now being able to shoot a distance of what .. 500 yards? and be able to actually hit the target... THAT is a talent that is unique and one should be proud of .. i don't mean to sound like that's the only thing army buff's can do .. but yeah willingly sacrificing your life for your country is hardly a talent .... i'm not even sure if there are words to describe it

yes i don't have very high self esteem .. but i'm working on that :)

[High Baller]

How do you want to affect the world?

(Yes, it was 500 yard by the way.)

In the book, Man's Search for Meaning, the question was asked, "if you asked a chess master what the single best move in chess, what would he answer?"

The answer is it depends on at what phase of the game you are in. The single best more varies based on where you are. What is best right now will not be the same down the road. It is all very dynamic.

How one affects the world is the same. Trust me when I say, as a medical provider and a teacher, shooting 500 yards is not a skill I use too often these days.

Sincerely ask yourself, how do you want to affect the world? How will you want the world to remember you, in 100 years?

[Destiny]

i totally get what your trynna say .. and i'd want people to remember me for me .. i'm not speaking about 100 years from now .. cause unless i magically become picasso .. or shakespeare .. it's close to impossible .. but 50 years from the time of my death .. i would want people to remember me as i was .. and not for who they .. imagined i was ..

but honestly .. i would be lucky if just my friends remembered me 10 years down the line ..