Introduction
This project explores aspects of Positive Psychology using a death scenario. Emotions and thoughts associated with near-death scenarios are strong and intense. Generally, I am concerned about Death and my Death or the Death of a loved one for that matter in different ways. However, I always dismiss such thoughts. I, like many other people, the idea of a death or a near-death experience, evokes much more fear and anxiety in me.
Therefore, narrating my near death experience, as well as evaluating my final day, could be advantageous when experiencing thoughts and feelings based on the concepts of wellbeing, happiness, and Positive Psychology.
The thoughts and emotions felt while imagining the scenario
Generally, I have considered near-death experiences as a mystical occurrence with the unknown outcome to the dead. One major strong emotion associated with my experience is fear. The fear associated with enduring pain caused by burns from the fire is overwhelming. I relate this pure physical pain to Death. The fear is so severe that it leads to other challenges such as a panic attack. In fact, my fear would degenerate into panic attacks.
Anxiety is another strong emotion associated with the imagination of the scenario. My heart beats fast. There are just possibly sharp pains in the chest associated with such thoughts of painful Death. The room appears to be disappearing, with no space left and spinning out of control. It is difficult to understand the consequences except for painful Death. My thoughts focus on the end of my existence. This is the feeling of a so near Death. I am helpless. Such a painful death is not my ‘ideal death.’ My idea of Death should be painless, occur in advanced age, and perhaps in sleep. It should take place when I am in good health with all my physical and mental capacities intact.
The feelings are mixed. Within a few seconds, my mind would race through emotions of love and gratitude associated with my accomplishments.
Handling Final Moments
The fear of this death scenario and the pain associated with it are difficult to accept. Therefore, final moments are difficult to understand, but they generally would relate to denial, anger, anxiety, and finally, acceptance. The first instance was occupied by denial – I cannot die now. This awareness of the impending Death results in a defensive reaction because of the inevitable future approaching fast.
A feeling of frustration because of my inability to escape such a raging fire would follow denial. That is, why me? How can this fire consume me so painfully?
I would then think of any chance of still escaping the fire or avoiding the painful Death of being choked and burned alive. I would negotiate with my God for forgiveness and a possible second chance. Once the realization of the inevitable Death has reached, I know it useless trying to do anything. This is associated with so near a death that there is no point in engaging in anything to protect or save myself. It consists of final thoughts and emotions associated with pain, grief, and love for loved ones, and good experiences.
Finally, I will accept my painful, lonely Death with the assurance that I cannot escape the fire anymore, and everything will be fine even without me. I must prepare for my Death and accept it. I must embrace Death and the unknown future.
Describing Life up to the point of Death
At this point, I would focus on both my great experiences and disappointing ones. This final point is a life review exercise. My near death experience would allow me to take a quick tour of the Life I have lived, but not with extreme details because of the physical pain associated with this form of Death.
Accomplishments are wonderful experiences that I must describe with enhanced gratitude before my Death (Frias, Watkins, Webber, & Froh, 2011). According to Frias et al. (2011), in their study, they noted that individuals who were tested on death reflection and the mortality salience conditions depicted enhanced gratitude relative to other subjects in the control condition. This implies that individuals become much aware of their mortal drawbacks and appreciate the Life that they once had.
Life, of course, is filled with unpleasant experiences too. However, my premature Death would disturb me. For instance, I have to wonder about what I could have achieved in the event that I lived longer. Achievements, such as possessions, status, admiration, and approval, come with time, and perhaps one cannot accomplish them in a lifetime. Death evokes a sense of gratitude toward my accomplishments as well as regrets knowing that I could have achieved much more. This is not an ideal situation in my Life. Therefore, my description of my Life consists of accomplishments, possible accomplishments, and failures before Death.
Ways in which traumatic events can be opportunities for growth 200
Human resilience will lead to adaptive strategies after traumatic events (Bonanno, 2004). Severe traumatic events normally make people make positive changes in their lives. Such experiences are most likely to present new opportunities or changes in Life, enhance a sense of personal strength to live, adjust relationships with other people, generally appreciate Life, and enhance spiritual Life with God (Tan, 2013).
Some of the sentiments that are most likely to accompany changes in Life for growth show the importance of appreciating daily Life, developing compassion, and expressing love for loved ones. Such events open a new world of possibilities and consideration for new opportunities one has not attempted before (Tedeshi & Calhoun, 2004).
I would note that individuals who may tend to experience opportunities for growth associated with traumatic events are those who would enthusiastically engage in intricate moments rather than avoid them. Such people are usually open to change, embrace novelty, and life difficult moments. They must accept nasty phenomena in Life, admit that they can no longer undertake certain duties but concentrate on duties that they can successfully perform.
Opportunities for growth can only be realized among individuals who are open to new possibilities and opportunities after their experiences. Such tragic events present new choices that were once not noticeable.
Conclusion
This project has used a death scenario to explain some elements of Positive Psychology. Death is everywhere, and the fact that people survive it daily is mystical. People, however, are unable to embrace Death as a final part of existence. Instead, any near-death experiences are associated with strong emotions of pain, anger, anxiety, and panic attack, among others. However, in the end, one must accept the inevitable fate and embrace Death. It presents an opportunity for a review of Life to discover both accomplishments and aspirations. Individuals have opportunities for growth after experiencing such traumatic events, but they must embrace change, adopt positive Life, and grab new opportunities.
References
Bonanno, G. A. (2004). Loss, trauma, and human resilience: have we underestimated the human capacity to thrive after extremely aversive events? The American Psychologist, 59(1), 20–8. Web.
Frias, A., Watkins, P., Webber, A. C., & Froh, J. J. (2011). Death and gratitude: Death reflection enhances gratitude. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 6(2), 154-162. Web.
Tan, S. (2013). Resilience and posttraumatic growth: Empirical evidence and clinical applications from a Christian perspective. Journal of Psychology and Christianity 32(4), 358–364.
Tedeshi, R., & Calhoun, L. (2004). Posttraumatic Growth: Conceptual Foundations and Empirical Evidence. Philadelphia, PA: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.