I feel this article is poignant to the fact it delivers a reminder to all that one picks themselves up again. I think back to a recent discussion over the issue of euthanasia in Switzerland and this article flirts with our ideas of suicide as well.
With Cary Tennis, I think there has been only two responses he has given I have not totally agreed with. I forever remain impressed by his ability to make the world of mixed colour a little bit more like a formed rainbow. I love the ability of his words to make one smile, even though they are aimed for someone else. It is something so natural for him:
'I had a mentor who also in some ways acted as a therapist, though there was also friendship and romance involved.'
Perhaps sometimes we need to step back and look at ourselves as if we are another person assisting the nature of our 'business'. Is it wise to interview ourselves in a way to check our intentions, or plans for time ahead? I mean, surely we don't know what direction we want to take or which way we want to go until we examine what we have; picking and pointing to the parts we like and dislike. From that we can then identify if there is anything we wish to change:
'this process of emotional relearning is slow. We don't get better overnight. But we can be assured that at any moment, however deep our despair, we are generally on the right path. Things are slowly getting better.'
The difficult part is, wanting change though expecting it to come a bit sooner than possible. A daily reminder could be a good thing, we hear people advise to repeat back out loud positive phrases about ourselves though with that idea I find it all a little too patronising and sickly. Sometimes internal reminders are best, or at least writing them down to refer to (the whole ideology of this blog also).
No-one wants to live in an extent of toture, but when it comes to assisted suicide I am keen to learn more about the boundries or circumstances which enable the following decision to be made-yes it is right for you to die...
'Some 85% of the 278,000 votes cast opposed the ban on assisted suicide and 78% opposed outlawing it for foreigners, Zurich authorities said.'
As discussion rises in Switzerland to whether assisted suicide should be banned altogether, and also whether it should be available to foreigners; it comes to my attention to what extent can one recognise when a life is worth leaving-should we see it as giving up otherwise?
From personal experience, I think that people do give up too easily. I don't think people are aware of what support is out there for those who feel less able to cope, I assume most see seeking support as a weakness. Understandably though, it is after all far easier to ignore and walk away from a source of pain or problem than to tackle it altogether. We seek to live in happiness, so unless there is a real exception to this, health being the most common factor, can it be said too much judgement is held against one for admitting they have a problem in the first place? If something just isn't right it needs to be sorted, to continue being unsure about certain things I don't see as worth the wait or hassle. Isn't that like being the living dead itself? A life of misery, just isn't living anymore. Quality of life comes from identifying what we like and don't like, and weighing up the good with the bad. However, it should be recognised that suicide or abusing one self with alternatives (causing a slow death in itself whether it be some of the largest killers at present, obesity, smoking, alcoholism, drug addiction e.t.c.) isn't the only option in solving our woes, there has to be a more evaluated decision if this seemed the only way for you. With assisted suicide, the question perhaps though is to what extent would the case need to be weighed to justify each assisted death?:
'Assistance can be provided only in a passive way, such as by providing drugs. Active assistance - helping a person to take or administer a product - is prohibited.'
At least there is a balance to how the death takes place, yet if someone is physically unable to pick up the tablets and take their dosage, yet verbalise their decision in wanting them-what does the phrase 'assisted suicide' really mean. Isn't the whole point in 'assisting' the death, it would seem so far it just makes the option easier to take ones own life in an accepted manner . If the case is of having the right resources, anyone can make the decision successful in saying goodbye to the world-however 'violent' the procedure seem right:
'It has said it is looking to make sure it was used only as a last resort by the terminally ill, and to limit suicide tourism.'
I am glad lines have been laid down to what condition someone must be in for them to die. Certainly there must be a percentage of people who are ill that feel a burden to their family and friends. Curiosity peeks to whether the terminally ill, once diagnosed with a life leading to what could be considered a slow death anyways, would take their own lives sooner than later? How much time can you wait it out?...:
'Dignity in Dying wants terminally ill patients with a few months to live to be allowed to get help to die in Britain.'
At least Britain is recognising alternatives for those living and suffering, but for those with 'a few months to live', surely months over years make a difference to their suffering? Shouldn't they may as well continue to wait things out? I am glad there are organisations such as Care Not Killing maintaining the development of the laws in Britain. For Britain it is a good reflection on our own quality of life, and a good reminder to reflect on others as well. Most would prefer a peaceful painless death-so why can't we grant this? The gift to walk away and decide all you can do and give in this world, acts as a last gift to the person wishing to go. Wouldn't we rather our friends or family have the opportunity to take themselves away in a way they wish so, in a way it is a gift for ourselves as well in knowing they went the way they wanted too without suffering any longer.
Some of the above may seem contradictory to my own ethics, so please take everything with some sense of exception. I hope in the future to see euthanasia portrayed in a more positive light.
Why
Why do we talk so much about working things out
Why do we discuss
Why exhaust
Why search
Why a desperation
Why the chase
The desire
Why do anything?
Would we be vegetables?
Why why why...
I think if we think too much we can all end up in a riddle. I think deep down the only thing that may kill me is myself or some genetic defect. This may sound a little bit dramatic but more so every day I believe I understand a little bit more why people find no other option but to commit suicide. I don't mean from a frustrating point of view-in the sense that they can't find an answer to their problem, or that they don't wish to take the hard path ahead, but in the way that most become overwhelmed by life. When there are so many options ahead it can become overwhelming and almost like a trap itself. With too many options to choose from, one can feel isolated and scared in what decision to make next.
Of course, deep sadness fills me when I think about this subject. It is a personal one and as much as one tries I am far from beyond getting anywhere near to what whomever may feel who decides to take this path...
