Why Have “The Talk” About End-of-Life Planning?
L Looking for opportunities before an illness or unexpected death allows you the time to make important decisions without emotions and grief getting in the way.
O Only you know your wishes about end of life and how to best honour them. If you create this plan together, your loved ones can share what will be important to them as well.
V Verbalizing your end-of-life plan to all of those your death will impact is critical. Write it, record it, and legalize it. Doing this will ease the burden of those you love.
E Evolving and creating a culture of openness about death and dying now will lead to less suffering in the future.
Y You begin to self-reflect: What is important? What is my purpose? What do I need to change in my life to be fulfilled now, and at the end of it?
O Overlooked finances can be dealt with. This is a wakeup call to plan for the rest of your life and end of life. Alleviate financial burden.
U Understanding and accepting grief, death and dying, will change your life – and your death. It will help those you love to do the same.
R Regrets: If you foresee having any, you have the opportunity to take care of them now.
L Love: This is an opportunity to write or dictate letters to your loved ones, encouraging them to grieve and find joy again, should you die first. What an incredible gift.
I Imagine the peace of mind you will have, knowing that you have done your best to alleviate excessive suffering for yourself and your loved ones at the end of life.
F Family, friends, loved ones. Share your love and ask what you need from one another. Open your heart.
E Empowerment. If we plan and prepare for life and end of life, we will be empowered to live fully and die peacefully, and we can leave a legacy of love.
Plan Your Life, Plan Your Death and then just...
Love Your Life to Death
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