In Western cultures, October is designated as a time to reflect on death. As the leaves change from green to a variety of beautiful colors and then fall all around us, we are reminded that death itself does not have to be an ugly existence.
If you followed me last week, you probably know that I’ve been rewatching “Naruto Shippuden”. In there is an entire arc dedicated to the Fourth Great Ninja War which is unlike any war the Naruto verse had faced. It’s like it’s own Festival of the Dead as long gone ninja return and are forced to fight their old enemies and their old comrades. In the end, they all get a final chance to impart something to the living generation - whether it’s experience or the words they should have left behind.
I think one of the most touching moments is when Gaara faces his father the former Kaze Kage, and his father finally acknowledges him and asks for forgiveness of what he did to him during life. The closure becomes important to the storyline towards peace in the Naruto-verse, as everyone comes together and realizes all their squabbling has been ridiculous. But as it’s shown in the battle- coming to that realization is difficult. Not only do the dead take time to understand it, but the living have to fight through their differences.
It’s too bad that in our world it’s not as easy as the whole human race facing off against a singular enemy. In fact, when a war breaks out, our alliances either strengthen or shift- but it’s never in the direction of everyone on the same side. That is made very apparent by the state of the United Nations. World Peace seems very much out of our grasps. But what isn’t beyond us, is what we - as individuals - do now.
We can choose to squabble over questions like “Who performed the first Jedi Wedding”. Or we can fight for something that matters, like victims of human trafficking. We can give power to the person we believe is the enemy, such as a Government officials. Or we can reclaim our own power and try to change the immediate culture around us through our own actions and words.
In the end, how we live our life will determine how we die. Will you die as the Maple tree dies? Or will you wither away as a Sunflower?