Written by: Anton Broers, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
Life comes with only one certainty… death. And this one certainty is the biggest fear of most people. We don’t want to think about death, we don’t want to talk about death. Until death shows up at our doorstep… If we change our relationship with the inevitable, there is much benefit for our life to be gained. Death namely is a very important teacher for our life. When you learn the big lesson that death has to teach us, you gain insight into how to live your life to the max!
Our friend Albert
We live in a beautiful little village in the western part of the Netherlands close to the woods, dunes and the North Sea. Our home is situated in a small street with less than 20 homes. Soon after we moved here we started to observe an elderly couple who came walking through the street almost every day. Their love for each other and their joy of being outside was always visible. We also often saw them interact with neighbours and visiting tourists. It didn’t take long for us to also get acquainted with these wonderful people who, as we learned, lived in the same street just a few houses away. From that moment on, we regularly met outside and had all kinds of most friendly chats. The moment came to really introduce ourselves and we came to know the names of our new friends: Albert and Riet. Soon after we had a coffee together at our home. We enjoyed the house specialty coffee and some nice cookies, and great life stories were exchanged. More coffee appointments followed and the regular walks through the street continued. When Riet no longer felt comfortable to walk, Albert continued to bless the street with his ever joyful and kind presence.
A few weeks ago, Albert was out on the street accompanied by one of his daughters and I was sitting inside. We waved at each other. Albert, friendly as ever, looked weaker. He indicated with his arms and facial expression that he was not feeling too well. Two weeks later, on a Saturday, we found a big envelop in our mail box with our names written on it. Inside a card with the sad news that Albert had passed away…
The number one cause of death
Although Albert reached the respectable age of 87 years, his passing still came as a sad surprise. Death usually does not come pre-announced. Many times death will arrive at your doorstep as a shock. We are not prepared. We are not ready. We find it difficult to accept the unavoidable.
I have learned that it is wise to change your perspective on death… Let me give you some inspiration.
A master once asked his students about the number one cause of death. Many causes were given by the students: diseases, accidents, natural disasters, war. The master was listening but shaking his head. “No, no,” he said, “yes, these are all causes of death but no way near the biggest cause. You want to know?” His students were nodding. “The biggest cause of death is life itself!”
Isn’t it true? When you live, you will die. Death is inevitable for all life. Birth will always result in death one day. It is wise to consciously understand and accept this. This will help you to handle death better, whenever it happens.
There is more you can do. You can learn the big lesson that death wants to teach us…
The master continued his enquiry. He said: “Death actually is a very important teacher for all of us. Do you know the big lesson that death wants to teach?”. His students responded: “You can’t control it”; “No use to worry about it”; “Better to accept it”. “All good answers,” the master said, “but the big lesson death wants to teach us is TO LIVE NOW! Death teaches us to make the most of life NOW because you don’t know whenever your life comes to an end. Death teaches us to not wait to live your dreams. To enjoy and celebrate life. To connect with the people you love.”
In-between birth and death, there is life. Life is uncertain. Life is unpredictable. We do not know when our lives end. And life is precious. Isn’t it wise therefore to juice out life whilst we are here? To live our best life whilst we live? Death is here to teach us to live life to the max, NOW!
Living life to the max
Most people are afraid of death. One of main reasons for this is that WE ARE NOT LIVING! We are not living the life that we would like to live. We are not being and doing what it is we truly want. One day it will be too late to do so. We are afraid of death because when we would die, we will know we have not truly lived.
You can decide today to start living but something is needed… Let me be your guide.
I often ask people who they want to be and what they want to do in their life. Most people don’t know. They admit that those are important questions and also that they should have clear answers but they don’t. People really don’t know. They have gotten on the treadmill of the ordinary life and they have long forgotten about their own dreams, their own wishes for life. They know and feel that there is a discrepancy between their heart’s longing and their existing life. But at the same time, they don’t know who they want to be and what they want to do.
In order to live your best life, you need clarity. Here is my question to you: do you have clarity for your life?
‘Who do you want to be?’ and ‘What do you want to do?’ are two power questions. They are important questions because answering them will give you direction for your life. When you want to live your best life, you first need clarity. It is wise to invest some of your time, energy and money into getting clear. Through introspection. Or with the help of the right coach. When you get clear on the two power questions, you have found the key to LIVING! Living the life of your own choosing. And then you can start to live that way NOW, as per the big lesson of death.
The master asked his students a third question: “What are the two components of living life to the max?” Many answers were given. ‘Happiness’; ‘Material wealth’; ‘Career success’; ‘Living your dream’; ‘Traveling the world’; ‘Big mansion with five super cars’; ‘Eternal beauty’. The master knew that too many answers could be confusing. Can make you indecisive. Can make you procrastinate. The master also knew that some answers are not your own answers. Because we are conditioned. The master’s answer therefore consisted of only two components. “Living life to the max,” he taught, “means that you Create what it is you want to achieve in life and Celebrate your achievements and life itself. Remember those 2C’s, my friends,” he said. “Learn to use your precious resources to Create and Celebrate every day!”
Death the big teacher for life!
Death is inevitable when there is life. Life is the number one cause of death. It is wise to change your perspective on death and see death as a most important teacher for your life. Death is here to wake you up to make the most of your life NOW. To do so, first you need to get clear. Who do you want to be and what do you want to do. And then you should use your limited and uncertain time on this beautiful planet earth to Create and Celebrate.
Our dear neighbour Albert has left our earthly plane. Our son Max (23) said after the passing of Albert: “Great reminder to spend time with our beloved elderly people.” He had his wonderful grandmother and grandfather in mind. Max is very right but his reflection can go further: spend your time being and doing who you want to be and what you want to do. This definitely includes spending time with the people you love but there is more. And don’t wait with it. Be and do NOW! Because life is precious yet uncertain.
You are not alone…
Many people suffer from lack of clarity for their life. Also, people don’t know how to make the most of every moment.
Both are frequent coaching topics I discuss with my clients. I coach and guide people toward clarity and success in life by sharing life-changing wisdom inspiration and practical, easy-to-implement tools and techniques. I can help you to get clear and 2C your life!
Anton Broers, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Anton Broers is a leading mindset coach and trainer based in Europe. He is a former senior business leader at a global brand who spent time in Europe, Asia, and the Americas. Anton is a keen student of ancient spiritual wisdom made simple for modern-day application. As the CEO of Mind ur Life in the Netherlands, he helps children, adults, and businesses toward happiness, success, fulfilment, and freedom. Anton’s mission is to introduce the world to the power of the mind to create the life and results we desire.
