The second goal of this practice asks you to start preparing for your own death, now. No matter how old you are or what kind of health you have, no one can be certain about tomorrow. The best way to make sure you die on your terms is to know what they are and write them down. Of course there are formal ways of creating a will, but this practice asks you to consider the process of dying -not just what happens after you’re gone.
What happens if you get into a freak accident? Do you know what sort of life saving measures you want? Or how extensive and intensive your care should be? If you know these answers, have you told anyone? You can’t assume that your family or partner would know exactly what you want. Would they know if you should be buried or cremated? What type of funeral or memorial service you’d want -or none at all? It’s important to start thinking about the answers to these questions because you don’t want to leave your loved ones behind to guess and worry over what you would’ve wanted.
When you start to contemplate your end of life care and what follows, you’re taking the power back. You can make decisions so your family and friends don’t have to. Even if it feels too formal to create a will, start by just writing out your wishes. How do you want to be remembered? What do you want your legacy to be? You can’t avoid death, but you can try to disarm your fear of it. That way it doesn’t control you or your future. Instead you can recognize death for its purpose in the circle of life and choose to keeping living life to the fullest!