Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community - View Single Post - Thinking about death before joining the army

Baraka_Guru · 12-30-2009, 07:36 AM

Thinking about death is normal. But it's also out of whack.

We tend to fear things disproportionately. For example, I'm a nervous wreck when flying, despite the statistical reality of my much higher likelihood of dying from cancer, heart disease, or a pedestrian/car accident. Just look at the statistics on cancer, heart disease, and car-accident mortality rates and then think for a moment our daily habits related to nutrition, exercise, hygiene, safety, etc., and I think most of us will see the disparity. Much of our fears/concerns are mislaid. How many of us have taken courses on nutrition and fitness? Defensive driving? How many of us treat operating an automobile even remotely the way a pilot does a commercial airliner?

I'm not sure what the average lifespan of military personnel of your nationality is or whether it deviates that much from the general population, but you are adding an additional risk factor to your life by choosing a riskier occupation than average.

However, life is an odd thing. I know you believe in God, but people of all walks and ages of life die. Some die quickly, others horribly. Some die accidentally, others by the hands of others. And whether these deaths came to those of good morals/faith or not doesn't seem to matter. Death comes just the same.

I think the trick is to commit your mind to things that matter, and realize that life is precious. You want to serve and defend your country, which is admirable. You seem to know the risks associated with this. It's normal to think about death, but don't let it overwhelm you. Think instead about what you hope to accomplish while you're alive. Think about how your living a full life will affect those around you, and even those you will never meet.

12-30-2009, 07:36 AM	#6 (permalink)
Baraka_Guru warrior bodhisattva Super Moderator Location: East-central Canada	Thinking about death is normal. But it's also out of whack. We tend to fear things disproportionately. For example, I'm a nervous wreck when flying, despite the statistical reality of my much higher likelihood of dying from cancer, heart disease, or a pedestrian/car accident. Just look at the statistics on cancer, heart disease, and car-accident mortality rates and then think for a moment our daily habits related to nutrition, exercise, hygiene, safety, etc., and I think most of us will see the disparity. Much of our fears/concerns are mislaid. How many of us have taken courses on nutrition and fitness? Defensive driving? How many of us treat operating an automobile even remotely the way a pilot does a commercial airliner? I'm not sure what the average lifespan of military personnel of your nationality is or whether it deviates that much from the general population, but you are adding an additional risk factor to your life by choosing a riskier occupation than average. However, life is an odd thing. I know you believe in God, but people of all walks and ages of life die. Some die quickly, others horribly. Some die accidentally, others by the hands of others. And whether these deaths came to those of good morals/faith or not doesn't seem to matter. Death comes just the same. I think the trick is to commit your mind to things that matter, and realize that life is precious. You want to serve and defend your country, which is admirable. You seem to know the risks associated with this. It's normal to think about death, but don't let it overwhelm you. Think instead about what you hope to accomplish while you're alive. Think about how your living a full life will affect those around you, and even those you will never meet. __________________ Knowing that death is certain and that the time of death is uncertain, what's the most important thing? —Bhikkhuni Pema Chödrön Humankind cannot bear very much reality. —From "Burnt Norton," Four Quartets (1936), T. S. Eliot Last edited by Baraka_Guru; 12-30-2009 at 07:45 AM..