Writing on the Subject of:

On discovering that she might die of an illness:

I was surprised by what happened when I accepted that I might die. Acknowledging death didn't become a morbid undertaking, as I had expected. Instead, it became an opportunity to discover a renewed sense of purpose in my life, get closer to my family and friends, and deepen my spirituality. For the first time, I actually set out to create balance in my life. My priorities clearly fell into place, and allocating my time became easy. I found myself becoming happier and more relaxed and began living a healthier life that, I believed, could very well extend my life expectancy. I actually attained a sense of my own well-being.
For most people, death and dying remain taboo topics. People routinely discuss subjects that were once considered off-limits, i.e., drugs, sex, religion, politics. Yet they feel uncomfortable talking about the prospect of their own death. Our most certain commonality as people - that we will all die - goes unexamined. Why is it that people plan their vacations, finances, weddings, and retirements, but do so little to plan for their deaths? My experience has been that acknowledging and preparing for one's death can give clarity of purpose. Living with the end in mind is not a gloomy thought, but rather a life-affirming opportunity to find peace and happiness.