Recently i was told by a friend that i am very afraid of dying. Although i did not correct him there cause it would have seemed hypocritical if i did. But it brought about a thought process in me. I have always been a firm believer that death is inevitable and that it will come when it has to come and there is nothing you can do to stop it. Then how is it that i have put myself across to him as a person who is afraid of dying?
I have been introspecting on this, since that day. What is it that is making me afraid of death?
I have now realized that it is because of two reasons...
1) I have been witness to my share of death and loss. I have seen what is does to parents to see their child die. The person who died has died, but what he leaves behind is the cause of all grief and sorrow to his loved ones. It is this fear of causing any kind of sorrow to my parents thats causing me to be afraid of dying.
2) The 2nd reason happens to be a more selfish one. I am afraid that my life would not mean anything if i died right now. I havnt yet done anything in my life. And i dont want to be forgotten. There is this strong urge to be alive even after i die and to keep living on.
And this brings me to the next realization - What do i need to do now, to keep living on later?
I still dont have the answer to that question, but i know it will come when the time is right. Until then i'll try to live my life and not just exist in it. :)
Showing posts with label dying. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dying. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Thursday, September 30, 2010
The irony of taking "Risks" to ensure "Safety"
I always thought that pilots and more specifically Air force pilots have the riskiest jobs in the world. Then this morning i saw a documentary report by NGC on test pilots. Do you know what test pilots do? They test the new aircrafts (whatever they may be) to make sure they are safe enough to fly. Irony isnt it?
What caught my attention was the processes the pilot and the aircraft goes through in order to deem an aircraft safe. The pilots first test the basics and then its limits. And what are these limits u would ask. They are the limits of the altitude an aircraft can go to and the limits of the speed an aircraft can undertake. So how do u test these limits? But of course, by crossing them. These pilots first cross the limits and then deliberately lose control of the aircraft till the last minute from which the aircraft can be pulled to safety. You getting goose pimples yet? What if they cant pull up in time u will ask. Well then if they are lucky, they can eject in time and if not they just go down with the aircraft. Sounds scary right?
What was most distinguishable about these pilots is how much they love to fly and how much they love being a test pilot, in spite of the risks involved. More admirable was the fact that how understanding and supportive their families are. And even in case there are fatal accidents they do not blame the aviation, the accept that this is what their husbands/sons/brothers/fathers loved to do and they died doing just that.
Why is this blog entry relevant to me? I recently lost a pilot friend in a chopper crash? I know he loved to fly and he died doing just that. This blog entry is dedicated to him. May he rest in peace wherever he is. Gaurav you will be immensely missed.
What caught my attention was the processes the pilot and the aircraft goes through in order to deem an aircraft safe. The pilots first test the basics and then its limits. And what are these limits u would ask. They are the limits of the altitude an aircraft can go to and the limits of the speed an aircraft can undertake. So how do u test these limits? But of course, by crossing them. These pilots first cross the limits and then deliberately lose control of the aircraft till the last minute from which the aircraft can be pulled to safety. You getting goose pimples yet? What if they cant pull up in time u will ask. Well then if they are lucky, they can eject in time and if not they just go down with the aircraft. Sounds scary right?
What was most distinguishable about these pilots is how much they love to fly and how much they love being a test pilot, in spite of the risks involved. More admirable was the fact that how understanding and supportive their families are. And even in case there are fatal accidents they do not blame the aviation, the accept that this is what their husbands/sons/brothers/fathers loved to do and they died doing just that.
Why is this blog entry relevant to me? I recently lost a pilot friend in a chopper crash? I know he loved to fly and he died doing just that. This blog entry is dedicated to him. May he rest in peace wherever he is. Gaurav you will be immensely missed.
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