Would You Die for Love?

What people talk about before they die

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A week later, in the middle of a lecture in this professor's packed class, he started to tell a story about a student he once met who was a chaplain intern at a hospital. A 'good death' by going gentle into that good night.

7 Things You Should Do Today If You Were To Die Tomorrow | Thought Catalog

That was as deep as this person's spiritual life went! Talking about other people's families! The students laughed at the shallowness of the silly student. The professor was on a roll. My body went numb with shame.

mindbodygreen

At the time I thought that maybe, if I was a better chaplain, I would know how to talk to people about big spiritual questions. Maybe if dying people met with a good, experienced chaplain they would talk about God, I thought. Today, 13 years later, I am a hospice chaplain.

I visit people who are dying -- in their homes, in hospitals, in nursing homes. And if you were to ask me the same question -- What do people who are sick and dying talk about with the chaplain?

Mostly, they talk about their families: They talk about the love they felt, and the love they gave. Often they talk about love they did not receive, or the love they did not know how to offer, the love they withheld, or maybe never felt for the ones they should have loved unconditionally. The side of death we don't see.

Die Quotes

They talk about how they learned what love is, and what it is not. And sometimes, when they are actively dying, fluid gurgling in their throats, they reach their hands out to things I cannot see and they call out to their parents: What I did not understand when I was a student then, and what I would explain to that professor now, is that people talk to the chaplain about their families because that is how we talk about God.

That is how we talk about the meaning of our lives. That is how we talk about the big spiritual questions of human existence. But it is no less exclusive and irreplaceable while the person is here than when they are gone, that is to be remembered. So at the end of the day, make sure the world knows what you know, and fulfill your own role of helping to fulfill others in whatever way you feel compelled to do so.

Not only to the people you have hurt, but to yourself. To whatever and whomever you have hurt without realizing.

Most Helpful Girl

One of the traits I most admire in people is when they have the confidence to say that they were wrong, and that they apologize. This does not mean be sorry for things that are not your fault, of course. But do fully realize your imperfect state of humanity.

Know that you very well could only have another day to be in it. Take from it what you can while you have it, and give back twice as much. To help you do that, we created a functional backpack with the everyday artist in mind.

Allow me to walk you through my […]. Sign up for the Thought Catalog Weekly and get the best stories from the week to your inbox every Friday. Group 7 Created with Sketch. Email Created with Sketch. Group 9 Created with Sketch.

Group 10 Created with Sketch. Group 11 Created with Sketch. Group 4 Created with Sketch. You look back on your life and ask yourself these three questions: Would you be able to give a resounding YES!

So ask yourself these questions today inspired by Brendon Burchard: If you are not doing these things, start living today by: Savoring each special moment you have with someone, whether it be a friend, loved one, or a stranger Focusing on the present and not fearing the future nor regretting the past Putting things in perspective. So start loving today by: Savoring each precious moment between you and the other person Appreciating every butterfly in your stomach Letting your heart expand with love for your friends, family, and significant other Relishing every touch, kiss, smile, whisper of affection, and every contented sigh that love brings us Falling for someone foolishly and uninhibitedly Loving unconditionally.

Start mattering today by: The world needs your special talents! Doing what you love. Life is too short to do anything less Playing your part in saving the planet and its inhabitants.

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