Why we must accept the reality of death, by

Of Oyo

THE Alaafin of Oyo, Oba ( Dr.) Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, has said that death is something we should not be afraid of, but its reality must be accepted. Oba Adeyemi stated this, at the weekend, when a delegation from the Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos and the Oyo Catholic Diocese, led by the Bishop of Oyo Diocese, Most Revd. ( Dr.) Emmanuel Adetoyese Badejo, paid him a condolence visit over the death of his brother, the Very Revd. Fr. Peter Olayiwola Adeyemi.

In his tributes, the Oyo monarch noted that “we all try to live a fulfilling life, but there is a great fear of death that tends to hold many people back from living the life they want to. It tends to be the unknown world that makes us be fearful of death, but when you start to look at death from a different perspective, it can clear away some of the fears.

“These quotes about life and death will remind you to live each day to the fullest and not to fear death so much. Life is such a wonderful gift; it makes me humble every single time I stop and think about it. Think about going to sleep and never waking up again.”

Oba Adeyemi said that thinking about death stretches and alters one’s perception, adding that accepting something you cannot change reduces suffering, as it allows one to overcome fear and punches it right in the face.

He said: “It also reveals the importance of love. Many people don’t realise, until it’s too late, that cherishing your friends and family should be your number one priority.

“Thinking about death allows you to figure out what your priorities in life should be. Everybody wants to die in peace without any regret. You must figure out what you want to accomplish and create multiple goals for yourself. My beloved, intelligent, hardworking, resilient, humble and diligent brother did his best while in the service of God. He is no more, but his goodness and legacies are now living after him as being witnessed here today and elsewhere.

“One can achieve anything and be anybody you want to be. Other people on Earth are humans just like you. They are flesh and bones, just like you. You have the ability to do anything that they do. The only limit is the one you set for yourself.”