I think what I am about to share is the Jewish perspective although I suspect many people have the same view.
I imagine the following scenario. I am old, I have several grown children who have grown up to be good strong people and who are starting families of their own, I have set up systems that continue to support charitable causes that I care about, I reflect on my past with fondness (eg people I helped and mentored, things I built, etc.)
In that scenario, does death bother me? Not in the least. Because the things that I care about (family, ideas, causes) continue. Knowing that things I deeply care about go on is the big thing.
So then rather than worrying about death, life becomes about doing things in such a way that maximizes the chances of these outcomes. Regardless of whether I believe in a literal after-life, I believe in this metaphorical after life strongly.
I think what I am about to share is the Jewish perspective although I suspect many people have the same view.
I imagine the following scenario. I am old, I have several grown children who have grown up to be good strong people and who are starting families of their own, I have set up systems that continue to support charitable causes that I care about, I reflect on my past with fondness (eg people I helped and mentored, things I built, etc.)
In that scenario, does death bother me? Not in the least. Because the things that I care about (family, ideas, causes) continue. Knowing that things I deeply care about go on is the big thing.
So then rather than worrying about death, life becomes about doing things in such a way that maximizes the chances of these outcomes. Regardless of whether I believe in a literal after-life, I believe in this metaphorical after life strongly.