Embracing Life and Death: A Journey on the Same Pole

Everything in our reality exists along a spectrum, or pole, where opposites are just varying degrees of the same thing. From an early age, we’re often reminded by those older than us to enjoy our youth because one day, we won’t have it anymore. We begin to associate youth with life itself, believing that to truly live, we must seize every moment. Over time, this idea can grow into an obsession with prolonging our lives.

But life doesn’t belong to any single person; it’s a shared experience, a collective energy that flows freely and eternally—like a river. I’ve often pondered the meaning of life and concluded that to truly live, we must also explore the opposite side of life’s pole: the concept of death.

Understanding Death as Part of Life’s Cycle

For many, death is a word steeped in fear and avoidance. It’s a concept that’s often misunderstood, even taboo. I became familiar with the idea of death at a young age when I lost one of my parents. As a child, I wanted the people I loved to stay in my life forever, as though their presence was essential for my own sense of security.

Looking back, I realize that what I had labeled as “love” was also my way of forming my own identity through the people around me. When we create these attachments, we often use others to reinforce our own sense of self. Losing someone from this personal circle forces us to confront a crisis of identity, something I went through personally.

The Paradox of Attachment and Letting Go

None of this makes us bad people. In fact, forming attachments is a natural part of human development. But an issue arises when we struggle to let go, holding on tightly to the life we know. Ironically, the closer we cling to life, the closer we also get to the fear of death.

Life and death are inseparable—they are essential to each other, forming the cycle that shapes all of creation. Just as we can’t truly appreciate light without darkness, we cannot perceive the beauty of life without recognizing the beauty in death. Without this contrast, life risks becoming something we take for granted.

Coping with Loss and Celebrating Life’s Cycles

Today, I’m writing not only to reflect on these thoughts but also to reach out to someone close to me who is going through a difficult time. One of the hardest experiences is watching a loved one approach the end of their journey. When life feels consistent, we sometimes forget to cherish those who are with us every day.

It’s painful to see a loved one fade with time, and it’s natural to wish for things to go back to the way they were. But is that truly what’s best for the collective experience we all share? It’s difficult to witness, but our role is to honor these moments, however painful they may be. Instead of questioning why, we can learn to embrace the experience.

Let us not dwell on what once was, but instead celebrate the rise and fall of each life—a star that shines, fades, and completes its cycle.

Embracing Life and Death as One

In the end, life and death are not opposites but two sides of the same coin. By accepting both, we deepen our appreciation for every moment we experience. Rather than fearing what lies at the end of the pole, let’s celebrate the journey from one side to the other and find peace in the flow of life’s river.