Lessons about living from dying

It's 29 years today since my grandfather passed. Strong as an ox he survived six heart attacks, only to have a truck accident one evening and that was that. It was so sudden, so unexpected, and no chance to say bye (which took my mum almost the rest of her life to make peace with).

I remember so clearly realising that we never know when our life could be over, or that of someone we love. This realisation affected me in so many ways:

- Tell those you love how you feel about them, and tell them often

- Try not to leave anything unsaid where you feel deep down you really want to say something.

- We all have our argumentative moments with loved ones, we all lead busy lives, but a quick hug and an "I love you" before they or you drive off for the day is always a good thing

- Do what you love. Life is not a dress rehearsal. No-one is guaranteed anything in terms of life expectancy. It drives me nuts when people say "I'll do that when I retire." We know so many people who passed unexpectedly over the last few years who were 20, 30, 40 years old. If there is something your heart really wants to do, find a way to do it. Be happy now. Love your life now. So many people live unhappy lives in unhappy careers in unhappy relationships, with an idea that they'll get to be happy at 60 or 70, but as Abraham Hicks say "You can't get to a happy destination after an unhappy journey." Choose happy now. Find happy now. Discussion on this point is most welcome.

Everyone reading this has been affected by someone's passing. What did you learn from their physical death that taught you something about life and living?

Please share here. x

(c) Dana Mrkich 2015

The world between worlds

The world between worlds was a recurring theme during our time away and boy did our trip end on that sacred note. 

On the flight home, with just under 4 hours of Pacific Ocean to go before we landed in Sydney, an announcement was made asking if there was a doctor on board. Two doctors and two nurses emerged out of their seats to attend to a lady not feeling well. 

It was the time of night where everyone had been sleeping for many hours and were starting to wake up. 4 hours to Sydney, as anyone who's been on a long-haul trip to Australia knows, is the home stretch. A last movie, breakfast and the trip is over. Only our trip together as a very different kind of flight was just beginning.

The medical situation was happening just a few rows ahead of us near the exit. I could see the nurse's head furiously moving up and down as she started to do CPR. The lights were on by now, everyone was awake and completely quiet. Video screens were off or paused. The entire energy of the plane felt completely different to anything I've felt before on a plane.

Anywhere I looked, heads were bowed down, tears were in eyes, you could just feel everyone praying for that lady, for her dear husband next to her, and for that amazing, strong nurse who kept going and going.

10 min, 20 min, over half an hour, she kept pumping that lady's heart. She was relieved at times by the other nurse and doctors, but it is she who seemed most in charge. They were all incredible. The flight attendants were so kind and compassionate, and managed to walk that fine line so gracefully between being professional yet still openly showing their regular human selves, their emotions clearly being felt, supporting the husband, and putting the needs of this woman first by not leaving her side.

The pilot decided to re-route to Noumea where a medical team came on board. More CPR but this beautiful lady had moved on. It was with such tenderness that they informed her husband, "we can't re-start her heart, we are so sorry."

There we all sat in the plane on the Tarmac in Noumea, in utter silence, shared sadness and united as we saw her husband sitting there in shock and grief as they so carefully tended to his wife preparing her for this very different, most unexpected last leg home.

I saw the nurse sitting up the back with her boyfriend, clearly distraught. I felt compelled to hug her, and to let her know how it felt to see her do what she did, that she did such an amazing thing. I could see she wished she could have done more but for everyone looking at her that morning, she was an absolute angel hero warrior. She did everything humanly possible to try to keep that lady here, she wouldn't give up, it was one of the most incredible things I have ever seen.

This world between worlds. It is present when someone is born. It is present when someone passes. It is present in deep states of meditation or spiritual connectedness. It was present on that plane for those last hours back to Sydney. It makes us remember who we really are, it puts things in perspective.

Our deepest condolences go out to the husband and family, and prayers to you great lady for your journey home to the non-physical world. To the entire medical team, especially the main nurse, I am in awe of what you did and do every day. To the United crew, what a beautiful thing to see you treat this situation with such kindness, respect and reverence. To our fellow passengers, this is one of those things that unite us (on board United ironically) and it was touching to see everyone's humanity, patience and solidarity in this situation.

Rest in peace.

Asteroids, Meteors, Birth and Death

Asteroids, Meteors, Birth and Death

What an exciting week in the skies we’ve had. First a meteor hurled into Russia creating a magnificent light-show – and unfortunately thousands of broken windows and related injuries. However that’s incredibly fortunate compared to the greater damage and even fatalities that could have occurred had it hit elsewhere.  I feel it did the least amount of damage possible, given that it was a fireball travelling at 66, 000 miles an hour!

            Then less than 24 hours later an asteroid whizzed by within a whisker of Earth. We all had a heads up that our little blue planet was in no danger which was obviously fantastic news, so we could enjoy the event for the awesome occurrence it was rather than go into any fear and panic.  

            These two events have given us the opportunity to remind us that we are a planet, one planet, whereas usually we are so pre-occupied with dividing ourselves into warring countries and conflicting political parties. Our human dramas and power plays seem even crazier than ever when pinned against the backdrop of a vast cosmos, of which we are really only a very, very, tiny part. Truly we have been given a paradise on which to live, but how often do we really acknowledge that and take a moment to say, hey, thanks Earth!

            As mentioned in my chat with Lee Harris this week for his One Golden World radio show, I’ve always wanted to see the Earth from space. I’ve often wondered how humanity would change if we all had the chance to go up on a rocket ride and see our home from that perspective. Lee mentioned the movie In the Shadow of the Moon where the Apollo astronauts talk about how the experience changed them. It’s worth watching.

            I have a feeling that we’ll have a few reasons to start looking ‘up’ into the skies more, and I think that’s a good thing. It is good to be reminded that there is a great universe out there with all kinds of potentials for life. It is good to be reminded that it is a miracle, and a gift, that we have this beautiful planet as our home with a bright, warm sun giving us life. It is good to be reminded every now and again that life could end anytime for any one of us – not reminded in a morbid, fearful way, but in a way that expands us into a state of appreciation for the life we have and shifts our priorities in an instant.

            Lee and I spoke about birth and death in our chat, how sacred these entry and exit points in our lives are, and what a profound privilege it is to witness a birthing or a passing if you have the opportunity to do so. These are two of the things that we have the most fear around in our Western society, very different to how they are viewed in other cultures, yet they are the two things we are all guaranteed to personally experience.

            Too often people don’t want to think about what’s ‘out there’ be it in terms of life on other planets or life after this life. Perhaps it’s overwhelming, perhaps it’s scary, or perhaps it’s not on their personal radar as important compared to the day to day reality of going to work, paying bills and raising a family. In my experience however taking the time to think about these things invites a richer, deeper life experience. You realise that x number of years on the planet are not guaranteed and you do your best to use the years you have in the best way you know how. Acknowledging death makes you feel more alive and makes you want to live more passionately and authentically. Realising that there is a bigger picture puts things in perspective and helps you deal with your daily challenges in a calmer way.

            So be open to looking up more often and looking deeper more regularly. There are so many worlds, inner and outer, beyond the one we visibly see and these worlds have so much to share with us.

(c) Dana Mrkich 2013

Dana Mrkich is an Energy Intuitive, Author of A New Chapter, Creator of E-course Create a Life you Love and an inspirational teacher, writer and speaker. For more info, please visit her website, join her on Facebook or follow her on Twitter.