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Could Epictetus Be Right Aboutt Death?

Two millennia ago, the great Stoic philosopher Epictetus (c. 55–135 AD) had thoughts about how we can all look upon death, that may be able to shine better light upon the topic. Losing someone we love does eventually happen to everyone and more than just a few times during our lifetime. 

Acceptance of death can be thought of like this. This way of looking upon death may just be able to save our sanity. He explains how to embrace how temporary life is, and be glad others came into our lives at all. If we try to stretch life into eternity, it is like trying to self-protect oneself. Life can feel great, and of course we would like to keep our lives in the everlasting bubble of happiness, but we all know that is not realistic . It will always hurt, or even makes us angry when someone leaves us, however, in time by learning this philosopher’s way of looking at life after death, it will hopefully have people going through grieving periods with times of healing , not everlasting hatred for life.

Carol DM does this information on this link here make sense? I do not know his spiritual belief, but his thoughts sound like it could help grieving sufferers learn how to climb out from hell, and try to live once again, with the thoughts of how loved ones did impact their lives, not crush them forever.

Maybe plant a garden like Carol DM did. Now, she goes out and visits her Dustin’s garden daily, or whenever possible. She thinks of the love they both shared, but she is still trying to enjoy the things around her, like watching butterflies, or watching children playing etc.

Enjoy your memories, and enjoy tomorrow.

Image credit-Lajenna

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What do you think?

Written by LaJenna

9 Comments

  1. I am so touched you mentioned me again in your post my friend. That truly made my day. I had to make the decision, each time I lost someone in my life, to live or die. So far I am still living. Good days and bad but I am here. Trying to smile and be happy as they would all want.
    As for the subject of death. I wish (more than you can imagine) I knew what happens when we die. I have to believe I will join my son one day. How that will happen I do not know but hopefully one day I will. Acceptance is the hard part. Then we have to learn to live without them. So many stages we go through over and over. But I always go back to hoping we will all be together again one day. That is what keeps me going.

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    • You will see your son again. I believe he is with God watching your garden grow more beautiful everyday. You are an inspiration, that helps me on many occasions .

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      • I hope you are right, I have doubted that many times over and over. I need proof and cannot get it, having faith isn’t enough for me on most days. Thank you again for your kindness. I hope I can help in some small way.

  2. Stare, Niche and many others have chased death and its meaning. I wonder sometimes as I consider the many things that lie before and after me, if it isn’t frankly human nature to consider the sides and faces of death. In the darkest of hours I wonder if Faulkner was right (life is a tale told by and idiot, Full of sound and fury, it signifies nothing). Or perhaps instead in my brighter hours I consider Dylan Thomas to told us to Rage, Rage against the passing of the light.

    Great piece LaJenna, it really made me think today (at lunch).

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  3. I have always been interested in this subject. I do believe it is in the way we look at things. There are many lessons that can be learned from death. When one changes their thinking about something that scares them it can be very helpful to them in the long run.

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    • Lady Nightwave Brenda Marie you are so right. Death is hard to accept, but trying to understand in the best light possible may help mourners a lot. Thank you!

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