A Brush with Death

I don't know about you, but it's not often that I think about death. I don't dwell on it, it doesn't come up in conversation much; it's just not something that is thought about all to often for me.

Several weeks ago, I was sent to the hospital for heart palpitations. I kept feeling as if I were going to pass out or if all the blood was flowing out of my face. It was a scary feeling.

I am of course home now but still experiencing the heart palpitations on occasion. I go to see a cardiologist soon and hope to get the issue resolved.

At any rate, while I was in the hospital I began to think about death and life and my kids. I began to wonder if my life was worthy; if I truly appreciated the gift and lived to my truest potential. I know of course I am flawed as I am human but I think we are all capable of being better--of being more. We are all capable of living each day with gratitude in our hearts.

I am not ready to die yet. I accept that I am human and that death can come at any time; though my wish is to live on for a long time. I don't know how much longer I will live, but I know that however long it is will be appreciated.

Thought for the Day- As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.
John F. Kennedy

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Zen Quote about Death

We know for sure that the physical body dies at some point. Though, what happens to the soul? I guess its human nature to survive thus we'd like to think that we keep going on--that there is some form of life after death.

This may be the case, and I hope it is, but how do we know?

Thought for the Day-
A samurai once asked Zen Master Hakuin where he would go after he died.
Hakuin answered "How am I supposed to know?"
"How do you know? You're a Zen master!" exclaimed the samurai.
"Yes, but not a dead one," Hakuin answered. -- Zen mondo