How we die - Reflections On Life's Final Chapter by Sherwin B. Nuland.
When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi.
To begin with, both this book are written with the main aim to make readers understand the pre-death times and how to ensure to live life fullest. Both the book tries to make sure that people learn how important life is. The most common part of both the books How We Die and When Breath Becomes Air is that both the authors are doctors. So when they write or present their views that come from a doctor's mind. When they speak about the significance of life and how to deal with death coming it comes from people who are life saviours. I think this quote "In the end, we only regret the chances we didn't take" is best to explain Nuland and Paul's perspective about life. When Emma who was treathting Paul who was diagnosed with lung cancer did not let Paul learn about this are his final days similarly Nuland in his book in the chapter "Hope and the Cancer patient" talks about how if a physician is hopeful and gives his best life can be saved or at least there won't be any regrets. I like how both doctors turned the author's stress on not giving up and trying till the end.
"Life is well lived is long enough" - Seneca. Every one of us has dreams and ambitions which we try to fulfil throughout our life. We keep on chasing them. Paul desired to have a happy life after completing his studies and wanted to settle down with his wife Lucy but the situation turned against his wish. Paul later understands when he was battling with cancer that how important it is to focus on now and to live life's every moment, each and every moment of life is very precious. Nuland and Paul both tell us the years of life lived is not the concern but how you lived. Though our ambition and dreams are the most valued things but somewhere chasing them we forgot about our life is not only about this but also about the people who are always with us and whom we love. Paul understands this when he was on his last stage counting his last breath and he realises that though his one dream is fulfilled which is of becoming a doctor but one cannot of spending time with his family for the rest of his life. Every moment should be enjoyed. Most of us can relate to this we might have not experienced personally but yes learned someone close's personal experience. I think the movie title "Kal Ho Na Ho " is best for this particular thought. Only the movie title.
"The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man who lives fully is prepared to die at any time." As previously I have said that how important it is to live life, continuing it ahead I think the one who enjoys life who is ready to face and win each and every battle one who never gives up will never fear death. Nuland and Paul both put emphasis on the time when the person is counting his last breath and how necessary it is to live that phase too. It somewhere makes a person and his close ones ready to accept the fact that life is going to end now or then and death is inevitable. My impression is that as said earlier all of us know there is no escapism from death and no one should fear it. In Spite of fearing and worrying one must try to spend the last time peacefully. Both of them stress that this last time should be like that there are no regrets and when one passes the person is remembered for spreading happiness and living life to the fullest.
"Things end but memories last forever". Paul when he learns that he is diagnosed with 4 stage cancer his one and only motive is to make memories. So that when he is not there his wife has something very precious which connects both of them and one of them is their daughter. I would say that time goes, people go but one thing which lasts forever are memories. When the person is not there his or her memories remind us of them. Nuland and Paul both say that these memories are really very precious and we should focus on making more memories and live life to its best. I personally feel that we remember the person because of how he or she lived life and how made life happy and created good memories. Whenever a person remembers us there should be a smile on their face. We should always try to add colours to others' lives.
I believe that "One ending leads to another beginning", even if life ends there is something beyond that too. As both the writers say, memories are the one which keeps us in presence even after we leave.
If I merge both the titles of the books How we die When Breath becomes air it sums up both authors' perspective. To conclude, I think before our breath becomes air and we think about how we die we all should learn to live life to the fullest and spread happiness. As rightly said by the Dalai Lama, "The purpose of our lives is to be happy."
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