Beginning

"Every extraordinary person has a particular mission which he is called upon to fulfill."

-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-1832)
(Enright, 5)

     While reading D.J. Enright's The Oxford Book of Death, this particular quote stood out to me. Wolfgang von Goethe is implying that any individual person of great potential has a particular purpose, and when their duty is fulfilled, the person can rest peacefully. He goes on to explain that afterwards they are no longer required in the "living" form of existence.

"So where shall i be when i am no more?"

-Ivan Ilych (Kramer, 16)

    

      Something struck me as I was reading the quotes in Enright's book. Many of the people who wrote or spoke the words about death have long since passed away, therefore, they have actually experienced death. However, due to the fact that they have died they cannot explain to us how it really is. It is ironic in a way since they strived so hard to explain death during their lifetimes...

    

     Perhaps, there is something beyond what we have come to call "life". What is death anyways? The inevitable conundrum is that we could never know for certain, or could we? One problem: Once

we die, we cannot possibly convey the circumstances of death to our family and friends. Personally, i would like to believe although the "physical" aspect of life as described in Kenneth Kramer's The Sacred Art of Dying ends, that our mental capacities remain intact. It would be comforting to know that i would be together with my family at the end, and forever after that.

     We try so diligently to put a mask on death; to disguise it so it cannot torture us with the feeling of impending doom. Kramer explains that "American culture has turned its back on death," (Kramer,14). to Countless Euphemisms have been dreamed up in order to help us cope with our loved ones passing. Just a few of the names we have given death over the years:

• Passed on
• Croaked
• Kicked the Bucket
• Six Feet Under
• Rode into the Sunset
• Out of his/her Misery

    Obviously, none of these descriptions of death seem as harsh as calling someone flat out "dead". It seems less permanent in a way, although death is certainly anything but temporary. "Death is the irreversible termination of all essential bodily functions," (Kramer, 14).

    In order to be able to fully accept death, we must live a fully satisfying life. The start of the book Success Built to Last tells a few inspiring stories of how important people managed to "create a life that matters". The real takeaway from this reading is that to truly be satisfied with your life, you must define success by what makes you happy, instead of the typical dictionary definition.

     The standard description of success as described in the dictionary:

1. The achievement of something planned or attempted
2. Impressive achievement, especially the attainment of fame, wealth, or power
3. Something that turns out as planned or intended
4. Somebody who has a record of achievement, especially in gaining wealth, fame, or power

     This description of success may be unattainable, as well as not enjoyable to the unique individual. The most vital component of success is happiness. The pleasure a person receives from the actual act of working is key. If you are willing to do something not because you get paid for it, but because you are enjoying yourself as you do it, then you have found your calling.

    

Works Cited

Enright, D.J. The Oxford Book of Death. Oxford [Oxfordshire: Oxford UP, 1983. Print.

Kramer, Kenneth Paul. The Sacred Art of Dying.: How World Religions Understand Death. NewYork,  NY [u.a.: Paulist Pr., 1988. Print.

Porras, Jerry L. Stewart, Emery and Mark Thompson. Success Built to Last: Creating a LifeThat            Matters. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Wharton School Pub., 2007. Print.