Ways of Responding to Death

     Todd May talks about a few ways to respond to our death. Since death is inevitable and uncertain, what should one do when it comes to death? Should we fear it, talk about it, or simply ignore it? It all comes down to personal preference. Not everyone wants the same thing regarding the process of death. Death can be scary for some people, while it may be "normal" or even no big deal for others. Since we're all made to be our own person, deciding on how to deal with death can be a process.
     Ways of Responding to Death
         1. Don't think about it
         2. Think about it all the time
         3. Believe in an afterlife
         4. You could die at just the "right time" (maybe when all projects are completed)
         5. Leave a legacy
     The point that makes the most sense, is to leave a legacy. It's okay that not everyone will remember you, but it's how you want the people who will remember you to feel about you. If we feel like our accomplishments and time on this Earth were worthwhile and completed, we can safely say that we have left a legacy. That legacy being something the people we love remember the good times through.
     Although leaving a legacy seems to be the most important thing on the list, it could also turn into a bad thing. This is because eventually somewhere along the line, our legacy we once left behind, will start to be forgotten as more time goes one. If we weren't Shakespeare or Albert Einstein, I don't think we leave a long lasting legacy for many decades and centuries after our time. We may leave it for the time being and a little longer, but not forever. That's okay too to not leave a super long legacy. As long as our lasted legacy has impacted a few people in the making, it means we have accomplished something even in our death, and that's whats important.

Comments

  1. Deborah Adekunle-OdeleyeApril 14, 2019 at 10:20 PM

    This blog post summarize Todd May views on the futility of legacy so well, that a person that has not read the book can still be informed.I like the fact that it is general enough to understand but still retains details to give it some depths about this topic. I just wish that you added a little bit more of your personal thoughts about this excerpt,but I think overall it is a good post.

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  2. Henry WidmanApril 16, 2019 at 2:30 PM

    I agree that leaving a legacy is the point that makes the most sense. In my opinion, choosing not to think about death at all and thinking about it all the time are both ways of almost letting the fact that you are going to die control you. The idea of an afterlife or you could die at the right time are both very uncertain, but you can control the legacy you leave.

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  3. Hannah PilatApril 17, 2019 at 9:19 AM

    I agree that leaving a legacy is very important and has some negative and positive aspects about it. Relating to Todd May’s Ways to Responding to Death, that there is one, in my opinion, that is just as important to leaving a legacy; thinking about death all the time. When leaving a legacy you are aware that death is going to happen and are cognitively aware of your actions in hopes of leaving a great legacy. Thinking about death constantly also allows us, as humans, to learn about what we want out of our lives before we pass on.

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  4. CurbeeApril 17, 2019 at 3:45 PM

    I also agree with leaving a legacy behind being the most sense. Leaving a legacy that you feel is enough for you I believe is what someone should be focused on. You're right, it doesn't quite matter what others think of your legacy, as long as you yourself is proud and happy with it. It also should matter to those who you want it to matter for; for instance, your family and friends, your loved ones. Not everyone wants the same legacy or the same affect of a legacy.

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