Hyperion
Superstar
Nobody knows 100% without a doubt what lies beyond this current life. The way I see it, if someone chooses to believe there's something beyond, that's their choice. Same as if someone believes that there isn't one. It's the most debated topic since the beginning of time, and it's that very question that's at the core of many societies and laws. There's people out there that are only "good" human beings because the idea of Hell terrifies them. Even with that being said, there's plenty of religious people who'll never miss a church sermon in 20 years but are quick to champion an innocent black man or woman dying by gun violence. The only way we'll truly find out is when our time comes, and hopefully that's not any time soon.
Death is inevitable, and we're bound to leave people behind no matter what. No matter what you do, your parting will always bring tears and broken hearts... Unless you walked through this Earth basically nameless for a very long time and died alone, or you've committed so many evil deeds that your demise equals peace and happiness for others. But that would be an even sadder end. Some people are dealt with really terrible cards in life, sometimes even from birth, but even so... You still gotta persevere and move forward. Even if nothing lies beyond, you're still here now. What will you do with the time you currently have? Even if life may be lacking, there's always time to turn it around.
It's like saying "What's the point in going on a vacation if I'm just gonna come back home as my destination anyway?
", nobody says that because you're not going away just to reach somewhere, you're looking for the experience in-between. Some people's vacations start the moment they pack clothes into the suitcase, some start at the airport, some start when they arrive at the resort, and some get back home with their vacation never truly starting at all. This is why I've never believed that everyone should just do as they're told and live "securely and safely", because even if you beat the rat race... You're still a rat in the end, fam. You just had the most endurance and the cheese enticed you the most. Did you really win? What is success if it means retiring in your twilight years, seeing the world and not truly having the energy to even truly appreciate it? Society said it's cool for you to chill now, but now you've got a myriad of health issues on the horizon and before you can truly enjoy the free time you've been "awarded", you're now seeing your demise inch closer and closer with every year. No wonder some old people are bitter as hell.
And again, I ask -- did you really win?
I think how one sees death is also a reflection of how one sees life. Not even in terms of an afterlife sort of thing, but just how a person can approach the topic of mortality in general -- How does this person face this natural eventuality? And I think in that answer, you can find a lot of strength and happiness. Some people see it as a release of pain, some see it as a journey's end, some see it as a scary potentiality they try to outrun. When you understand that as far as we know, we've only got one shot at living and it's up to us to make our lives the best we can... It's empowering. The topic of religion is as old as time itself, and will most likely continue well after we depart, but for me? I want to make sure every single moment counts. I want to be as happy as I possibly can! I want to explore more, see things I've never seen before, I want to go on an unforgettable adventure. And if at the end of all that, all that lies before me is oblivion? Then at least everything I experienced wasn't for nothing -- it was for me, and for all of the people I'd be leaving behind.
Death is inevitable, and we're bound to leave people behind no matter what. No matter what you do, your parting will always bring tears and broken hearts... Unless you walked through this Earth basically nameless for a very long time and died alone, or you've committed so many evil deeds that your demise equals peace and happiness for others. But that would be an even sadder end. Some people are dealt with really terrible cards in life, sometimes even from birth, but even so... You still gotta persevere and move forward. Even if nothing lies beyond, you're still here now. What will you do with the time you currently have? Even if life may be lacking, there's always time to turn it around.
It's like saying "What's the point in going on a vacation if I'm just gonna come back home as my destination anyway?

And again, I ask -- did you really win?
I think how one sees death is also a reflection of how one sees life. Not even in terms of an afterlife sort of thing, but just how a person can approach the topic of mortality in general -- How does this person face this natural eventuality? And I think in that answer, you can find a lot of strength and happiness. Some people see it as a release of pain, some see it as a journey's end, some see it as a scary potentiality they try to outrun. When you understand that as far as we know, we've only got one shot at living and it's up to us to make our lives the best we can... It's empowering. The topic of religion is as old as time itself, and will most likely continue well after we depart, but for me? I want to make sure every single moment counts. I want to be as happy as I possibly can! I want to explore more, see things I've never seen before, I want to go on an unforgettable adventure. And if at the end of all that, all that lies before me is oblivion? Then at least everything I experienced wasn't for nothing -- it was for me, and for all of the people I'd be leaving behind.