Death Calculator-when will I die?

Two things we can be pretty certain of in this life, death and taxes. Death for sure, and taxes are pretty unavoidable as well. One thing is certain, none of us get out of here alive!

Most people prefer not to think about death or dying, this is most noticeable in younger people, who tend to live much more recklessly, as they feel invincible. But as we age (when privileged enough to do so), we start to notice how fragile and short our lives truly are. Maybe we kick bad habits, start new health regimes, and begin eating vitamins like candy aka bed pan bullets. Some of us become obsessed with our endless battle to maintain our youthful appearance, pumping ourselves full of botox, getting face-lifts, butt implants, liposuction, hair implants, or other ridiculous nonsense. All in a never ending attempt to beat the hands of time, and contain the vital life energy that is slowly declining each and every moment within us.

But what if you could know the exact moment of when you'd die via death calculator? Or from the Grim reaper? Including how you'd die? Would you want to know? What about if you could know this information for someone else? Say an ex-spouse? HA!

How much would having the details on your own demise change the way you are living your life today? Imagine having a cup of tea or coffee with the Grim reaper at your local cafe. Just another conversation in a comforting and relaxing environment. This conversation however would be much more different and paramount, for it would provide you with insight to your future, or in this case, lack thereof! What if the Grim Reaper punched your DOB into his handy death calculator bestowing the precise facts in which he'd be round for a personal and final visit? What if he gave you the exact nitty- gritty technicalities of your death. The time, the date the exact gory details, be it horrific and painful, or possibly peaceful and serene. What if he told you that if you change your living habits now, you could possibly extend your life by a few more moments, months, or even years? Would you make the choice to have this information revealed? Would you rush from the cafe with elated ecstasy, joy and renewed zest for life in a hurried manner? Maybe planning without haste all the things you've been meaning to accomplish but have until this moment, put off? Or would you kindly decline the specifics and say to hell with it and just live each and every moment to the fullest? What about if this information was available for someone you know? Would you want to know? Imagine that alimony finally coming to an end, long before the last payment is due!

Have you ever had just a hunch or deep down feeling on how long you'd live? For me, it's always been 92. I have a strong healthy family that seems to live forever, a bunch of old battle axes really. My grandmother is 96, of sound mind and still living independently, bless her heart! She's to stubborn to die. I imagine Grim knocking on her door, and her punching him in the face. This may have happened many times already for all I know.

A lot of us claim we live in the present moment, living each day being positive, mindful of our imprint on others and our planet, aware of each choice we make and the ripple effect it has on others. But do we really? With our inflated ego, and constant "want and worry" this is not always easy to do. Other times we find ourselves so caught up with ourselves and petty mundane problems that we can't live in the "now", our minds are always off someplace else.

How often are you really engaged with the exact moment in which you exist? Even as you read this article, do you find your mind switching back and forth between the past, or the next future chore or task you need to accomplish? Perhaps even just thinking about doing dishes, paying bills, the deadline you have to meet at work or tending to children. Are you truly focused on the now? Or daydreaming? Are you really completely present and aware when spending time with your family, friends, loved ones, nature, and animals? Do you take each and every moment and breath as a blessing?

Sometimes we don't even realize how valuable our lives are until we come face to face with an illness, nearly fatal tragedy, death or loss of a loved one. Constant reminders for me personally to stay present are the loss of people I've loved very dearly, the death of 3 of my cats, my aging elderly parents (who I'm fortunate to still have), and the few gray strands of hair that seem to continually pop up, despite my effort to pluck them out.

Aging is a privilege in my opinion and I've never been one to understand the contemplation of suicide, but I do understand the depths of despair with depression as well as the consequences from poor life choices. However, one of the most wonderful things about life and to depend on, and find strength in is change. Change is the only absolute constant. To me, the longer you have here on earth, the more time you have to positively impact everything you come in contact with. Life, in a way is like a giant game of bingo, eventually, your number will be called. Suddenly your brief blink of a life will be gone as you know it. How will you want to be remembered? How will you want to make this world a better place for everyone in line to inherit it? How can you force yourself to stop, settle down, and appreciate the now? Contemplating death is one big way.

Knowing when you'd die, if possible, could cause some serious global reevaluation if we'd all just stop to think about it! And choosing not to know should cause the same effect! Quite a beautiful and complex thought...