N.E.D. Chats - No Expiration Date
N.E.D. Chats - This is a term I have trademarked as a "special signal" that it is time to talk about the fact that we all will die. N. E. D. stands for "no expiration date". Instead of telling your friends you are going to talk about death you can say "oh I have to go to the NED Chats meeting"....truthfully I hope you will get comfortable enough to say "where we talk about the fact that we are all going to die and we have NO idea when".
This is an opportunity to discuss death before you HAVE to face death. We are all going to die and early discussions mean that you can be free to get living (and not worrying about what you know you should do to be prepared).
We are all going to die. It is our one commonality. But as a society we won't and don't talk about it. If the subject is broached it is when someone is very old or been given an end of life diagnosis. Is that the best time to stop and reflect on what you want from life - and what you want for your dying wishes? NO!!!
There are leading questions to consider that will help you realize all the questions you haven't discussed with anyone - even with yourself. Lets talk about death.
If you knew that today is your last day, what regrets would you have? Be as specific as possible. Make a list of everything you had hoped to do before you died. Talk with loved ones about the things on your list. Ask yourself what has kept you from doing any or all of the thing listed. And work to make a plan to start on the list immediately.
You do not come with an expiration date. Why are you acting like the insurance actuarial table you saw once is the true answer to your date of death? Only 70% of Americans live beyond age 65. Is that a sobering number?
To add to it, now we no longer talk about "watch out as you don't know if you might be run over by the bus" to new discussions on "would the COVIC-19 take me?"
We don't know what we will die from - and you don't get much to say about it. You can take wonderful care of yourself and yet your death is mostly out of your control. All you can control is how you live your life TODAY and the wishes you want carried out when you can't speak for yourself.
Lets talk about death! Then let us live life!
also
We have countless jokes online and in person about nonstop phone calls at all hours begging you to extend your car warranty - even when you don't own a car! But we don't talk about death. AND we all have death in common!
Upon death, even if your legal paperwork is completed will there be problems? Tell others about your wishes. Make changes as often as you want but be sure your loved ones know. Problems arise when loved ones disagree. Money can do that to wills.
You don't have to discuss death daily. Yet you need to face that we all will die. Give yourself a rest sometimes but remember that each day is precious.