"They died doing what they loved"

brianluxbrianlux Posts: 42,055
edited June 2013 in A Moving Train
You've heard that phrase before, right? I just saw an article about some people who "died doing what they loved". The fact that they died is tragic, which goes without saying. I'm not mentioning the particular incident here because I'm more interested and what some of you think in the first place about the concept of dying while doing what you.

My own perspective is that I don't want to die doing what I love. Among other things, I love listening to and making music, reading, walking in nature, spending time with people I'm close to but I have no interest in dying while doing any of those things. I like sleeping but I don't love it but I wouldn't mind dying while I'm sleeping. Most of the time I don't mind standing on a sidewalk but I can't say I love it. But if I were struck by lightening while standing on a sidewalk and were killed that would be an ok way to go.

I really think the whole "they died doing what they loved" isn't for the deceased. I think it's for those left behind. And maybe that's ok but wouldn't it be better to admit that than to pretend people are good with dying doing what they love?

I'm I missing something here? Help me out with this.
“The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man [or woman] who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”
Variously credited to Mark Twain or Edward Abbey.













Post edited by Unknown User on
«13

Comments

  • Go BeaversGo Beavers Posts: 9,096
    If the person's old, maybe it's a way to say they were passionate about something still, and were happy, rather than sort of withering away. For me, I love cycling, so I wouldn't mind if I was still able to do it in my eighties. And then one day while I'm out on a ride, poof, that's it. I'd prefer that exit over several others that come to mind.
  • catefrancescatefrances Posts: 29,003
    I love sleep and in a perfect world that's how id die and I love reading but no way do I want to die on the middle of a book... that would suck. :lol::lol::lol:
    hear my name
    take a good look
    this could be the day
    hold my hand
    lie beside me
    i just need to say
  • brianluxbrianlux Posts: 42,055
    I love sleep and in a perfect world that's how id die and I love reading but no way do I want to die on the middle of a book... that would suck. :lol::lol::lol:

    Occasionally, when I've been reading a really, really great book, I've gotten a little obsessed with that very thought! Yet, knowing I will never read all the books I would like to in this life time leaves me with one solace: I'll never run out of good reading material. :lol:
    “The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man [or woman] who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”
    Variously credited to Mark Twain or Edward Abbey.













  • PapPap Posts: 29,004
    First thing came to my mind was these guys: Gentlemen, it has been a privilege playing with you tonight.
    Athens 2006 / Milton Keynes 2014 / London 1&2 2022 / Seattle 1&2 2024 / Dublin 2024 / Manchester 2024
  • Kind of funny thought but you are right on some of the examples I can think of. I dont 'love' sleeping but I think that is the best way to die.

    I have frequently heard buddies joke that they wanted to die having sex. What a horrid way to die for the person you are with, right? Maybe a good way for the person who dies but the other person ends up mid-coitus with a dead person. Ugghh!
    (Room for lots of jokes there!)
    The love he receives is the love that is saved
  • this phrase is, in my experience, normally reserved for those who die at an age that most people would deem prematurely. it seems kind of ridiculous to the objective reader when you see that, I mean, I'd rather live doing something I hate than die doing something I love (these people seem to be the opposite), but it seems to bring solace to those that are left behind.

    it's not like they died in a car accident, they died doing something they knew held some safety risks, and they had accepted those risks because they loved the activity and/or the rush that much.

    If I died at a Pearl Jam concert, I might be ok with that. :D
    Gimli 1993
    Fargo 2003
    Winnipeg 2005
    Winnipeg 2011
    St. Paul 2014
  • Jason PJason P Posts: 19,138
    th?id=H.4617211160758429&pid=15.1
  • hedonisthedonist Posts: 24,524
    this phrase is, in my experience, normally reserved for those who die at an age that most people would deem prematurely. it seems kind of ridiculous to the objective reader when you see that, I mean, I'd rather live doing something I hate than die doing something I love (these people seem to be the opposite), but it seems to bring solace to those that are left behind.

    it's not like they died in a car accident, they died doing something they knew held some safety risks, and they had accepted those risks because they loved the activity and/or the rush that much.

    If I died at a Pearl Jam concert, I might be ok with that. :D
    Aww, Hugh...your last part reminds me of Roskilde :(

    But I do agree on the premature/unexpected part - I heard on the news this morning that two or three of those who died in the tornados were chasers of them. So yeah, knowing there are risks but going for it? Their choice, I guess.

    For me, while the when/how of death does creep into my head from time to time, I try not to ponder it too much - can make me nuts, plus it takes away from the now of this life.
  • hedonist wrote:
    this phrase is, in my experience, normally reserved for those who die at an age that most people would deem prematurely. it seems kind of ridiculous to the objective reader when you see that, I mean, I'd rather live doing something I hate than die doing something I love (these people seem to be the opposite), but it seems to bring solace to those that are left behind.

    it's not like they died in a car accident, they died doing something they knew held some safety risks, and they had accepted those risks because they loved the activity and/or the rush that much.

    If I died at a Pearl Jam concert, I might be ok with that. :D
    Aww, Hugh...your last part reminds me of Roskilde :(

    oh shit, I meant no disrespect about that. It didn't even dawn on me when I wrote that! Yesterday in the Fargo 2003 thread I mentioned how I cried when Ed started the show with Arc......
    Gimli 1993
    Fargo 2003
    Winnipeg 2005
    Winnipeg 2011
    St. Paul 2014
  • JonnyPistachioJonnyPistachio Posts: 10,219
    A friend's father died during sex. His heart rate went way up and he had a heart attack. I couldnt get that phrase out of my head for awhile when I thought of him.

    I really hope I dont die at a PJ show. unless its during Ole, then thats fine I suppose.
    Pick up my debut novel here on amazon: Jonny Bails Floatin (in paperback) (also available on Kindle for $2.99)
  • BinauralJamBinauralJam Posts: 14,158
    tumblr_m7bswov5YL1qfqqdto1_500.jpg
  • hedonisthedonist Posts: 24,524
    hedonist wrote:
    Aww, Hugh...your last part reminds me of Roskilde :(

    oh shit, I meant no disrespect about that. It didn't even dawn on me when I wrote that! Yesterday in the Fargo 2003 thread I mentioned how I cried when Ed started the show with Arc......
    Oh, I know. Your heart was in the right place.

    This past Friday, I had a good if not teary heart-to-heart with the guy who does my hair. His father passed away two weeks ago after living with leukemia for quite awhile. As we spoke, he referred to it as crossing over.

    I found a sense of comfort in looking at it that way.
  • brianluxbrianlux Posts: 42,055
    I'd rather live doing something I hate than die doing something I love

    I like this idea very much, HFD!
    “The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man [or woman] who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”
    Variously credited to Mark Twain or Edward Abbey.













  • josevolutionjosevolution Posts: 29,575
    I love swimming and to me that would be the best way for me to die yep drowning i'd be so happy :mrgreen:
    jesus greets me looks just like me ....
  • PapPap Posts: 29,004
    Athens 2006 / Milton Keynes 2014 / London 1&2 2022 / Seattle 1&2 2024 / Dublin 2024 / Manchester 2024
  • brianluxbrianlux Posts: 42,055
    I love living and no way do I want to die while living. :lol:
    “The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man [or woman] who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”
    Variously credited to Mark Twain or Edward Abbey.













  • JonnyPistachioJonnyPistachio Posts: 10,219
    brianlux wrote:
    I love living and no way do I want to die while living. :lol:

    :lol::lol: Well that's too much for me. :mrgreen:
    Pick up my debut novel here on amazon: Jonny Bails Floatin (in paperback) (also available on Kindle for $2.99)
  • BinauralJamBinauralJam Posts: 14,158
    brianlux wrote:
    I love living and no way do I want to die while living. :lol:


    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmj4wlyPFYA
  • josevolutionjosevolution Posts: 29,575
    Kevorkian was right ;)
    jesus greets me looks just like me ....
  • Here is -- they <almost> died from DOING what they loved, :lol:

    http://community.pearljam.com/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=208893
    The love he receives is the love that is saved
  • STAYSEASTAYSEA Posts: 3,814
    Steve Irwin died doing what he loved. :cry:
    image
  • chadwickchadwick Posts: 21,157
    in my ridiculous head i think of my death & how i'll go out quite often, probably daily. i'd lean towards sleeping & painless. yet part of me wants to go down fighting to survive. in my daydreams a viking shipwreck in the north atlantic would be fantastic as i drown in cold ass waters only after swimming for days or weeks.

    battle 400-700 AD style or earlier is also incredible to daydream on. maybe have an erection for days at a time & make love to 40 women as if a mongolian warlord... then trim my hair & beard with axe, burn it in a goblet with yak shit & spices... i fall asleep on silk pillows never to awaken, then set on fire & placed in the wilds with zero record of my resting place
    for poetry through the ceiling. ISBN: 1 4241 8840 7

    "Hear me, my chiefs!
    I am tired; my heart is
    sick and sad. From where
    the sun stands I will fight
    no more forever."

    Chief Joseph - Nez Perce
  • chadwick wrote:
    in my ridiculous head i think of my death & how i'll go out quite often, probably daily. i'd lean towards sleeping & painless. yet part of me wants to go down fighting to survive. in my daydreams a viking shipwreck in the north atlantic would be fantastic as i drown in cold ass waters only after swimming for days or weeks.

    battle 400-700 AD style or earlier is also incredible to daydream on. maybe have an erection for days at a time & make love to 40 women as if a mongolian warlord... then trim my hair & beard with axe, burn it in a goblet with yak shit & spices... i fall asleep on silk pillows never to awaken, then set on fire & placed in the wilds with zero record of my resting place

    back on the weed, are we? ;)
    Gimli 1993
    Fargo 2003
    Winnipeg 2005
    Winnipeg 2011
    St. Paul 2014
  • catefrancescatefrances Posts: 29,003
    brianlux wrote:
    I'd rather live doing something I hate than die doing something I love

    I like this idea very much, HFD!


    id rather not do something I hate.
    hear my name
    take a good look
    this could be the day
    hold my hand
    lie beside me
    i just need to say
  • brianluxbrianlux Posts: 42,055
    brianlux wrote:
    I'd rather live doing something I hate than die doing something I love

    I like this idea very much, HFD!


    id rather not do something I hate.

    Live long and prosper, Catefrances. And do what you love to do! :D
    “The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man [or woman] who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”
    Variously credited to Mark Twain or Edward Abbey.













  • catefrancescatefrances Posts: 29,003
    brianlux wrote:
    brianlux wrote:
    I like this idea very much, HFD!


    id rather not do something I hate.

    Live long and prosper, Catefrances. And do what you love to do! :D



    long walks.... long long walks. some in other countries. 8-)
    hear my name
    take a good look
    this could be the day
    hold my hand
    lie beside me
    i just need to say
  • STAYSEASTAYSEA Posts: 3,814
    If I die doing something I hate.... This happens every day.

    Please, let it end, already. :fp:

    I hate doing things I hate. I rarely get the pleasure of doing things I LOVE.


    For me, it's a bonus, to die doing something I love. In reality, I'm going to die no matter what happens.
    I could be hit by a bus tomorrow.? I dislike buses. :?


    (I would love to die while I was reading a really good book, perhaps there is a chance I might meet the author in an afterlife, and have something to talk about.)

    :lol: Sorry, this thread is too serious.
    image
  • brianluxbrianlux Posts: 42,055
    STAYSEA wrote:
    If I die doing something I hate.... This happens every day.

    Please, let it end, already. :fp:

    I hate doing things I hate. I rarely get the pleasure of doing things I LOVE.


    For me, it's a bonus, to die doing something I love. In reality, I'm going to die no matter what happens.
    I could be hit by a bus tomorrow.? I dislike buses. :?


    (I would love to die while I was reading a really good book, perhaps there is a chance I might meet the author in an afterlife, and have something to talk about.)

    :lol:Sorry, this thread is too serious.

    Sorry, STAYSEA. I thought about that when I started it. "Is this too heavy?", I asked myself. "Will people see it as being disrespectful?"

    I surely did not mean it to be either. And I never make light of anyone's death- except maybe my own but that could be from having cheated the grim reaper at least a few times. Keep that old buzzard amused and maybe he'll let me hang around a while longer. Every day is a bonus day! I often think about Robin Williams' playing John Keating in "Dead Poet's Society":

    "Carpe, carpe diem, seize the day boys, make your lives extraordinary!"
    “The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man [or woman] who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”
    Variously credited to Mark Twain or Edward Abbey.













  • STAYSEASTAYSEA Posts: 3,814
    Viva la Vida!



    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abPeajnuPZk


    Who would ever want to rule the world? :lol:

    Perhaps, the Coldplay version is better, but I don't like it. Sometimes, It's honest to be completely self centered. Like me, today, I rather die watching Weezer than Coldplay! :lol:

    In Vino Veritas? Not a way to live either.

    How is Celia?


    Live the Life. (What it is meant to be, to you, today.)
    image
Sign In or Register to comment.