We Croak

We all know that we are going to die, but we don’t much think or talk about it. I would posit that we do so at such a dissociative level that it is actually to our detriment. Here’s why — not in my words, but from three others. Two speeches, both from Les Brown, and a perspective-altering podcast in which Dr. BJ Miller is interviewed by Dr. Peter Attia.

“The graveyard is the richest place on earth, because it is here that you will find all the hopes and dreams that were never fulfilled, the books that were never written, the songs that were never sung, the inventions that were never shared, the cures that were never discovered, all because someone was too afraid to take that first step, keep with the problem, or determined to carry out their dream.”

This speech is part of a short and powerful compilation of motivational speeches that can be found here

“Imagine being in your deathbed, and standing around your bed is the ghost of the dreams, the ideas, the abilities, the talent — given to you by life, but you, for whatever, reason never pursued those dreams. You never acted on those ideas. You never used those gifts. You never used those talents. And there they are, staring at you, as you are lying on your bed. With large angry eyes, they say, ‘We came to you, and only you could have given us life! And now, we must die with you… forever.”

– Les Brown

This is a great podcast on how understanding death leads to a better life. with physician, author and speaker Dr. BJ Miller. He is a practicing hospice and palliative medicine physician and is best known for his 2015 TED Talk, "What Really Matters at the End of Life.”

“People die much more miserable than they need to, because they haven't dared to look at this thing called death before it's too late.”
– Dr. BJ Miller

The app WeCroak keeps this all real for me — that how I live matters, and that my time here is both meaningful and precious. The app gives you 5 quotes a day to remind you about death, and it can be found here. I have zero affiliation with WeCroak; I just like the reminder. I hope you do too!