How Facing Death Taught Me To Truly Live

Life Lessons From Dead Men

“Remembering that I’ll be dead soon is the most important tool I’ve ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life.”
– Steve Jobs

Here’s a hard truth:

When you’re born, there’s one certainty, one guarantee you can count on: death

You don’t know how or when, but you know it’s coming.

Most people shy away from this reality, choosing to bury it under the busyness of daily life.

But for those who have danced close to the edge —who’ve stared death in the face and come back — life takes on a new perspective.

There’s a strange benefit to almost dying. It changes you.

It strips away the materialistic nature and spits you back into the world with a vengeance. If you’ve had a near-death experience, you’ll know what I mean. You don’t return the same.

This realization hit me hard while reading a chapter in a book by Austin Kleon’s. I found his words perfectly articulating my own experiences and buried feelings overcoming my own near-death experience.

He shared stories of successful people who, after close calls with death, found life utterly transformed. Here are some of the lessons that stood out to me and how they used their near death experience to their advantage

“Every day now is an extra day.” — George Lucas

I could not believe that the mind behind Star Wars owes his dedication in filmmaking to… A near-fatal car accident in his teens?

The accident sparked something in George Lucas — a drive to create, to live fully. Without it, we might never have seen the galaxy far, far away.

“I’m not going to sit here and wait for things to happen. I’m going to make them happen, and if people think I’m an idiot, I don’t care.” — Wayne Coyne

Wayne Coyne, lead singer of The Flaming Lips, had this epiphany after being held up in a robbery at just 16.

The raw awareness of mortality pushed him to stop caring about others’ opinions and start chasing what mattered to him.

“Getting stabbed in the throat was the best thing that ever happened to me.” — Tim Kreider

Perhaps the most extreme example. It is shared by Tim Kreider in We Learn Nothing. Sometimes, it takes something like a brush with death to shake us awake and redirect our lives.

“If you could walk around like that all the time, with the awareness that the world is going to end… that’s the trick.” — George Saunders

After a near-death experience, George Saunders described the world as indescribably beautiful — overflowing with awe and appreciation.

For three or four days, he lived in this heightened awareness. Imagine if we could carry that feeling with us every day.

Obituaries Aren’t About Death… They’re About Life?

Austin Kleon, who hasn’t experienced a near-death moment himself (and wisely isn’t looking for one), offers a simple practice: reading obituaries.

Obituaries, he says, are stories of lives well-lived. They’re not just about death but about triumph, resilience, and extraordinary achievements. They remind us of what’s possible. Nudging us to make the most of our time.

Personally, I found this had an unexpected effect. Instead of inspiring gratitude, it made my mornings feel surreal and dire. Not the morning motivation I was hoping for.

For me, a different approach worked better.

Taking a Moment to Appreciate Life

Each morning, I take a moment to appreciate life. In our rush to tick off tasks, we often focus on what’s missing instead of what we already have.

For me, this moment of gratitude comes through prayer, but it could be anything for you — meditation, a quiet walk, soaking in the morning sun, or simply reflecting in a quiet space.

Whatever your ritual, I encourage you to carve out this time. Use it to put things into perspective. Celebrate your accomplishments, no matter how small.

The thought of death doesn’t have to be morbid. Instead, let it motivate you. Life is short-lived. Our endings are sudden.

We never really know how much time we have to share our ideas, make our mark, and connect with the world.

So, what will you do with your extra days?

Thanks for reading! 🚀

Ever had a near-death experience? A few close calls? Or just a really bad Tuesday?

Something life-changing that made you question everything—and reshaped how you see life?

I’d love to hear your story. Spill it. ☕️"**

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