Okay, so the theme of today is "Life and Death" since the Malaysian government has officially designated today as the National Day of Mourning in lieu of the first return of the remains of those who perished in the MH17 incident. May they rest in peace and the families of the people who were loss find solace.
On a more personal note, there has been much that I have learned from the loss of a number of some family members, friends, ex-colleagues and family members of friends over the last decade:
- An aunt who stands by the philosophy about living life and doing everything you want when you have good health on your side... and when you start collecting ailments as you age, observe the diet and lifestyle prescribed to you with due diligence. Basically she said we should do everything we want before we regret on missing out on what we should have done while we could. Carpe diem. (This aunt is still living her life according to her doctor's orders and happily playing with her grandchildren)
- A friend who was first diagnosed of a rare form of cancer who looked at every available option, lived life to the fullest, and continued to make new goals in life as he achieved a goal. This went on until the very end when the cancer finally defeated him. Until today, what this friend has done in his short life is the one reason why I can't stand people who whine and cry about how life is unfair when they didn't even put any effort into living the way they think they should.
- Many others in the family who role play as their own personal doctor - some even insisting on going to their GP only even though they should be having more regular check-ins with a specialist for serious ailments.
- There are those who had serious health issues that required major surgeries who think "Hey, everything has been good over the last few years so I think it is safe to pig out on the things I was not supposed to eat to make up for the times I have to forgo it."
- There are also those who think that a headache is just a headache and it'll go away if I take a couple of paracetamol or aspirin tablets (or some other form of painkillers or muscle relaxants). But a headache is not just a regular headache if it goes on for 3 days and more!
- Not to forget are those who have the inability to socialize with others or those who have a tendency to ostracize the very people who want to help them. These are the folks who lose their mental capacity at an accelerated rate and have the potential to become really lonely as they age.
- There are also a few who let every single fear that they have rule their lives and the lives of their loved ones. They end up never living the lives that they wanted... or they caused further pain to their loved ones after they leave because of their own paranoia and short-sightedness.
Stop kidding yourselves. Be honest with yourself and know yourself. If something is bothering you, seek help or make a choice that will allow you to move on to be in a better place in your life. You make your own choices. Doing nothing is also a choice. The only time when "I have no choice" is true in any situation is when you have reached the absolute point-of-no-return.