What do you think of when the word death is mentioned? Sadness? Fear? Illness? Aging? It's not a subject that most people want to discuss, but everyone in this world will experience death through losing loved ones and eventually they too will leave. It is a guarantee of life - death is part of the equation.

Believe it or not, the fear of public speaking is stronger than the fear of death, but the fear of death is right there at the top of the list. It's a strong fear. We want to live, and live well. And why shouldn't we?

Why is it that death creates such fear? Let's talk about some possibilities. First of all, it's sad when our loved ones leave. We miss them. But they are not really far away for their spirit continues to live on the other side. It is possible to connect with our loved ones after they transition and feel their presence guiding us continuously. I've experienced this many times.

Often an individual fears death because the other side is an unknown to them. What is it like there? Some religions teach fire and everlasting suffering so that could certainly be scary. My belief is that it is beautiful on the other side because all that is there is love - no pain, no suffering, no fear, no lack, nothing negative. To me that will be wonderful, beyond anything we can experience here on earth. I also believe that once I leave this life I'll just continue on in the realm of spirit. That's what we truly are anyhow - a spirit who has chosen to live a short while in human form.

Some people are afraid of the aging factor that precipitates death, knowing that illness often accompanies this segment of life. No one wants to become ill or experience the affects of the aging process, which is why it is so important to become astute to what is truly healthy and what isn't. This anticipation of illness and the aging factors places us in a state of fear - focusing on the negative. What we focus on we create!

And then we find people often leave this planet without accomplishing what they wanted to do. As a wholeness coach, I constantly hear from my clients that life isn't going the way they want it to, that they feel lost and very unhappy. It has been documented many times how people state as they are nearing the end that they wished they had done such and such.

So how can we stop the fear of death?

What has been brought to light as I've released some of my loved ones to the other side, is how important it is to live life to the very max every moment of every day. Every day I ask for Divine help to be of service to others, to share love with all who cross my path. That is our Divine mission and what makes life worthwhile. It involves finding and living your life purpose and it always comes from a loving place that reaches out to others in love.

All the frills of this world, wonderful as they are, are only temporary. Here one day and gone the next - those who lost everything in Katrina can vouch for this. So what is really important for your life to be worthwhile? What will allow you to feel as if you've lived you life to the max while you are here?

There is one thing that gets in the way of a fulfilling life every time, and it is FEAR - False Evidence Appearing Real - this we mentioned earlier! Fear doesn't allow for growth or love, for fear and love are opposite energy poles and cannot exist in the same space. Being the magnet that you are, you attract whatever is in your mind, so if you continually worry you are coming from a place of fear. Fear begets more fear and the cycle is set in motion.

When you come from a place of love your entire being shifts. Okay, so no one wants to think about dying. But what if you focused on everything you can do to improve your life and the lives of others? That would immediately chase out any of those negative thoughts from fear.

I used to hate the thought of getting old. In my earlier years I thought that by the time I was 50 my life would be pretty much over. Well let me tell you that now, as I have left 50 in the dust, I feel younger than ever. I am doing what I love and it is so satisfying that every day feels like an adventure into something new and exciting. So who has time for fear thoughts? And you know what has happened as a result of my focus of love? Miracles! Many, many miracles! And one of them is that people have thought I am my oldest son's wife or sister rather than his mother.

So what is the sting in death? I think the sting is present if the person who passed hasn't fulfilled their dreams. Did they feel life as worthwhile? Were they happy? Did they serve others and come from a place of heartfelt love? I also know that if you are focusing on what might be, you very well could create it. We create what we think about every day of our lives.

Think about your life. Is it worthwhile? Do you love every minute of every day and relish in the thought of another day? As I thought about my loved ones who have already left this planet, I knew I wanted to serve others and make my life really count, not because of what I do, but because of the love I share.

So the sting of death is having lived a life without purpose, without happiness, without fulfillment, and without giving in love of yourself to the world. Examine your life and know that everything involves choice - your choice - of how you want to live your life. Let me leave this thought with you: ASPIRE TO INSPIRE BEFORE YOU EXPIRE! Live your life to the max!