THE WAY I LIKE TO DIE

A reflection of life, death and legacy

Olatunde Danisa

*CHAPTER 1: BORN TO DIE*

The story of life begins with a cry—a newborn’s first breath in a world that awaits it. This moment is
filled with wonder and celebration. Family members gather, tears of joy fall, and the air buzzes with
hope. Presents are given, prayers are said, and a name is chosen to mark the arrival of a new soul.

Yet, amid all the jubilation, there is an unspoken truth lingering silently in the background: this child will
one day die.

This paradox of life is ancient and universal. Across cultures and time, birth and death are linked as two
sides of the same coin. The Giver of Life, in some spiritual traditions, knows the span of every life. The
moment a child is born is also the moment the clock begins ticking toward their final breath.

Despite this, societies overwhelmingly choose to focus on celebration rather than mortality. Death is a
taboo subject at naming ceremonies, weddings, or any festivity that honors life. It is cast as an enemy,
an unwelcome visitor to be ignored.

But death is not the enemy. It is the companion, the inevitable companion, walking silently beside every
heartbeat.

In many indigenous cultures, birth and death are part of a sacred cycle. They teach that life’s beauty is
made precious because it is limited. The fleeting nature of existence invites gratitude, urgency, and love.
Reflection: How often do we celebrate life fully, knowing the fragility of our time here? When did you
last stop to think about the inevitable journey ahead?

Story: In a small village in West Africa, elders tell a tale of a mother who asked the spirit of life how long
her baby would live. The spirit smiled and said, “Long enough to learn love, to teach kindness, and to
leave a mark.” This story reminds us that quality matters more than quantity.

As we grow, we begin to understand death’s shadow. For children, death is often a distant, almost
mythical concept—something that happens to “others.” But for adults, especially those who have faced
loss, death can feel nearer, sharper.

Philosophers have long debated what it means to be “born to die.” Some argue that death gives
meaning to life—without an end, moments lose their value. Others see death as a challenge to be
conquered or delayed by science and technology.

Whatever the view, the truth remains: every life has a beginning and an end.

Quote:

"To live in the hearts we leave behind is not to die." — Thomas Campbell

The way you live your life between these two points is your story—the story of the way you like to die.

*CHAPTER 2: SEEN BUT NEVER WELCOMED*

Death is a shadow that quietly follows each of us, but few invite it into conversation. In many cultures, it
is seen as an evil force—a thief stealing joy, a punishment, or a final end that must be hidden away. The
fear of death has shaped rituals, taboos, and even language, with many euphemisms like “passing
away,” “gone to rest,” or “crossed over” softening its reality.
Yet death is not just a distant specter—it is a real, often painful experience that shakes lives to their
core.

The anticipation of death can be almost unbearable. Consider those who receive a diagnosis that
shortens their expected time on earth. Whether it is cancer, a degenerative disease, or a terminal
illness, the knowledge changes everything. The future once imagined fades, replaced by days counted
with anxiety and sometimes regret.

Personal Reflection: Imagine being told you have only months to live. How would your priorities shift?
What would you want to say, to whom?

Beyond illness, some face death as a sentence—literally. Prisoners on death row await a date set by the
law, often struggling with questions of justice and mercy. Others face mass violence or genocide, where
entire communities are condemned without trial, wiped from history’s pages.

These experiences highlight death’s many faces: natural, legal, violent, or unjust.

In some societies, mourning rituals are elaborate and lengthy, reflecting the pain and the need for
closure. In others, death is hurried and hidden, as if by ignoring it, the pain will fade.

Yet, death is neither to be feared as evil nor denied as impossible. It is a natural part of life’s cycle.

Story: In the Jewish tradition, the concept of Yizkor is a remembrance service for the dead, teaching that
honoring the memory of loved ones helps the living accept the reality of death and find peace.

Reflection Question: How does your culture view death? What rituals help people cope with loss?

Quote:
"Our dead are never dead to us, until we have forgotten them." — George Eliot

Through understanding death, we begin to appreciate life more deeply—not as an enemy but as an
integral part of the human journey.

*CHAPTER 3: RESTING WHILE ALIVE*

In many cultures, preparing for death begins long before the final breath. The elderly sometimes build
their graves, choose their tombstones, or make funeral arrangements as acts of acceptance or
preparation. This practice reflects a complex relationship with mortality—a mix of fear, hope, and
responsibility.

Why do some people prepare their resting place while still alive? For some, it is an act of love—a way to
spare their family from difficult decisions during grief. For others, it is a spiritual practice, symbolizing
acceptance of life’s inevitable cycle.

Yet, in a world obsessed with control, this preparation can reveal an attempt to master the
uncontrollable.

We live in an age where amassing wealth has become synonymous with success. People accumulate
riches, estates, and luxury possessions as if these will grant them more days on earth. But no fortune
can buy extra time.

Story: Consider the tale of King Midas, who wished that everything he touched turned to gold. His greed
ultimately isolated him and brought pain, showing that wealth cannot replace life’s true riches—love,
connection, and peace.
Amassing wealth for legacy is common, but it risks confusing material inheritance with meaningful
impact. What good is a mansion if it holds a lonely soul? What value do riches have if they don’t nurture
relationships or purpose?

Reflection: Think about the legacy you want to leave. Is it counted in dollars or deeds? In properties or
people touched?

Quote:

"Wealth consists not in having great possessions, but in having few wants." — Epictetus

Resting while alive can mean building a life that feels whole—mending broken relationships, giving
generously, and living authentically. Preparing your grave might be practical, but preparing your heart is
essential.

Exercise: Take a moment to write a letter to your future self or your family about your wishes—not just
for your funeral, but for how you want to be remembered.

By doing so, you create a resting place in the hearts of others that no tombstone can match.

*CHAPTER 4: SUDDEN DEATH — WHEN LIFE ENDS WITHOUT WARNING*

Life can change in an instant. One moment, everything is normal; the next, tragedy strikes without
warning. Sudden death shakes our understanding of control and forces us to confront the fragility of
existence.
Natural disasters like earthquakes, plane crashes, shipwrecks, and road accidents claim thousands of
lives every year, leaving families shattered and communities mourning. These events remind us how
vulnerable we are despite our plans and precautions.

Imagine waking up to news of a loved one lost in a car accident or a plane crash. The shock is often
overwhelming. Unlike illnesses that allow some time to prepare mentally or emotionally, sudden death
offers no goodbye, no closure.

Story: In 2014, the world mourned the passengers of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370, which vanished
without a trace. The families endured uncertainty and anguish for years, illustrating how sudden death
also brings questions without answers.

Domestic accidents—falls, drownings, fires—also take lives unexpectedly, sometimes in the most
ordinary places. The familiarity of home can provide a false sense of security.

Reflection: Have you ever thought about how prepared you are for unexpected loss? Do you have a
plan, or do you avoid thinking about it altogether?

Sudden death challenges our coping mechanisms. It often leaves behind unanswered questions, guilt,
and deep grief. Yet, it also teaches valuable lessons: the importance of living fully, forgiving quickly, and
expressing love without delay.

Quote:

"Life is fragile. Handle it with prayer." — Unknown

Exercise: Write down three things you want to say or do today, just in case tomorrow never comes.

By accepting that death can come suddenly, we can learn to treasure each moment and live with
intention.
*CHAPTER 5: ENJOYING ETERNITY ON EARTH*

What does it mean to truly live? Is it simply to breathe and exist, or is there a deeper way to enjoy what
some might call “eternity on earth”?

Many believe that living well means accumulating wealth, status, or power. Yet, true fulfillment comes
from a positive conscience—a clear mind and heart that know peace, kindness, and purpose.

Don’t Worship Money

Money is a tool, not a goal. When money becomes the master, it blinds us to the real treasures of life:
relationships, health, and the impact we leave on others.

Impact Lives

Those who dedicate themselves to helping others—whether through charity, mentorship, or simple acts
of kindness—build a legacy that outlives their physical presence. This is a form of eternity, a ripple that
spreads beyond one lifetime.

The Dark Side: Embezzlement and Corruption

Unfortunately, some pursue wealth through unethical means, such as embezzling public funds. This robs
communities of resources and trust, creating a different kind of death—death of hope and integrity.

Reflection: How do your daily choices affect others? What kind of legacy do you want to leave behind?

Story: In a small town, a teacher who devoted her life to educating children never became wealthy, but
generations remember her as the soul who lifted the community out of poverty.
Quote:

"The value of a man resides in what he gives and not in what he is capable of receiving." — Albert
Einstein

To enjoy eternity on earth is to live with intention, generosity, and integrity. It means choosing love over
greed and service over selfishness.

*CHAPTER 6: BUYING LONGEVITY — THE QUEST TO DEFY DEATH*

Since ancient times, humans have sought ways to extend life, to cheat death, and to hold on to youth
and vitality. From the Fountain of Youth legends to modern science, the desire for longevity is universal.

But some paths to extended life cross into the occult and mysterious.

Occultic Powers

In many cultures, there are beliefs that certain rituals, sacrifices, or dark magic can grant longer life or
protection from death. These might include yearly sacrifices, pacts with supernatural forces, or secret
knowledge passed down through generations.

Younger Blood

Some myths and practices involve the idea that consuming the blood or essence of the young can
restore vitality. While these are often symbolic or rooted in folklore, they reveal deep fears of aging and
dying.

Modern Attempts

Today, people turn to advanced medicine, supplements, anti-aging treatments, and even cryogenics in
their quest for more time.
Yet, the irony remains: despite all efforts, death remains inevitable.

Reflection: What lengths would you go to in order to live longer? Would you sacrifice your ethics or
peace of mind?

Story: The Chinese Emperor Qin Shi Huang, obsessed with immortality, sent expeditions to find elixirs of
life but ultimately died at age 49. His tomb remains a mysterious reminder of the human quest to
overcome mortality.

Quote:

"Death smiles at us all; all a man can do is smile back." — Marcus Aurelius

Buying longevity might delay the inevitable, but it cannot erase the fundamental truth that life is finite.
Acceptance, not denial, leads to true peace.

**CHAPTER 7: THE INEVITABLE — FACING THE FINAL TRUTH*

Death is the most dreaded event in life. No one wishes for it; it feels like a final, cold end to all that we
know and love. Yet, just as birth is certain, so is death.

The ancient phrase reminds us: From dust you came, and to dust you shall return.

This simple truth holds profound meaning. It tells us that life is a circle, a cycle of beginnings and
endings.
The dread of death comes from the unknown—how, when, and where we will die. These questions
haunt the human mind:

How will I die? Peacefully in my sleep or suddenly without warning?

When will it happen? Tomorrow, decades from now, or sooner than expected?

Where will I be? Surrounded by loved ones, alone, or far from home?

This uncertainty can cause anxiety, but it can also inspire living fully.

Reflection: What if you embraced death not as an enemy but as a natural partner in life’s journey? How
would that change the way you live today?

Story: The Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh teaches mindfulness of death as a way to deepen
appreciation for life. By contemplating mortality, we awaken to the preciousness of every moment.

Quote:

"Do not fear death so much but rather the inadequate life." — Bertolt Brecht

Understanding that death is inevitable invites us to focus not on fearing the end but on enriching the
time we have.