Hello, everyone,
We've been taught to fear death, to see it as something distant that will only arrive when we are old. We live in a society where we're almost compelled to have our lives 100% planned out, every step we'll take, what career we'll pursue, if we'll get married, if we'll have children – there always seems to be another step to calculate. However, we're not taught that we are fragile and that life is but a fleeting moment, which can end at any time.
The year was 2007, a year filled with intense emotions in my life, new experiences that pushed my physical and emotional health to the limit. That year, I moved to a different country, ended a significant relationship, and let go of great opportunities. In summary, it was a pivotal year that would later mark a turning point in my life.
It was a weekday, maybe Wednesday or Thursday. I remember that the company I worked for was sponsoring a major event, and I had to be there in person to ensure everything went smoothly. Everything was fine... Back in the office after the event, sitting at my desk, I began to feel a pain in my chest that kept intensifying. It got to the point where I had trouble breathing. At that moment, my first thought was that I was having a heart attack – the end had come.
A colleague of mine kindly assisted me and took me to a medical center conveniently located in the same building where we worked. I remember stepping into the elevator, then everything became hazy, and I lost consciousness.
It was like being in a deep dream and hearing a woman's voice in the distance shouting: "The girl is dying!" "Administer this medicine!" and so on... Then I only remember walking through a dark tunnel that I knew would lead me somewhere else, perhaps to another life...
On the other side of the tunnel, I recall seeing an image of myself as a child, holding hands with my mother. At that moment, a voice in my subconscious said: "You can't die yet. If you die, you'll hurt your mother deeply." For that reason, I clung to life more than ever before.
I woke up hours later on a stretcher in a clinic, my mother sitting at the foot of my bed in tears. It was then that I realized fate, God, or the Universe had decided it wasn't my time. I spent a week in the clinic, and the doctor who attended to me informed me that I had experienced a severe stress crisis that nearly ended my life – a fate many had suffered due to the same cause.
Since then, my life took a different direction. I feel differently, I approach what happens to me in a different way, I don't plan my life, I don't make long-term plans. My life consists of making the most of every day I have, every minute, every second, as if they were my last.
That day, I understood that the most unexpected moment could be the last, and that it's up to each of us to give meaning and importance to our days, to leave a lasting memory for those around us. Perhaps this may sound a bit sentimental, but what I'm sharing with you is something that truly happened and led me to become who I am today.
Today, I no longer fear death; I know it's just a way of evolving and transcending to another realm. Despite this, I treasure every minute of my life and my loved ones. As the famous Frank Sinatra song goes, "The end is near, I'll wait for it serenely, you see, I've been this way, I'll tell you sincerely, I lived in boundlessness, without ever knowing borders, I played without rest... and in my own way."
Luciana Salmón Sueyras
A study conducted by Statista reveals that 43% of respondents in over a hundred countries reported experiencing stress for a significant part of the previous day, compared to 38% in 2019. Global stress levels reached record numbers in 2020.
The most significant issue arises when stress transforms into depression, leading to more profound crises.
It's time to live for today, to see yourself and move at your own pace. Remember that there are professionals who can always support you through the process.
At Etternitty Life, we share personal stories that can inspire and provide different perspectives on life experiences. However, it's crucial to understand that each story is unique. The story we're sharing does not represent 100% of all cases and should not be considered professional advice or therapy. By publishing these stories on Etternitty Life, we are not claiming ownership of them or assuming responsibility. We suggest that each reader make informed decisions and seek guidance from qualified professionals if necessary. This content is for informational purposes and does not constitute medical, therapeutic, or legal advice.
