Living Well, Dying Well – It Begins with You

By Tida Beattie

At the close of 2020, we all had an opportunity to look back upon the strange and difficult year.  Regardless of how old we are, all the peoples of this planet have been affected and it’s been a source of reflection about our lives. 

How have you reflected?  What do you know is important for you?  How do you treat each new day?  What hopes do you have?

Living well – it begins with you.

You are the only person who knows what is most important to you for your life.  You are an expression of your homeland, your mother tongue, your culture, your beliefs and values.  It’s worth taking time to acknowledge yourself. 

It’s worth taking time to express who you are, what you need, and what you believe and value.  Foster connections to your self, life, loss and wisdom.  And then share. 

There is an African proverb, “Every time an old person dies, a library burns to the ground.”  What are your stories?  Share them with your family and your friends. 

Dying well – it begins with you.

You are worth taking the time to think about your end of life choices.  Yes, you do have choices and a few questions to consider might be:

• How is my health?
• What are my goals if my health gets worse?
• What are my fears?
• Who do I want to speak for me if I am not able to?
• What does a good day look like?

The answers to these questions only lie with you.  It’s helpful to share your answers so the people who love you can support you.  They love you.  They want to hear and to know.