Avoidance - very common, but futile

     It's only with continuous, conscious effort that we become aware of the extent to which primitive approach-avoidance instincts dominate our lives. And it doesn't matter how sophisticated we are (read Joan Didion's "The year of magical thinking"), nor does belonging to a religious group make a difference. Do you get hungry and gravitate toward food? Do you seek shelter in a sudden downpour? Of course, but how do you respond to sickness, old age and death?
     Many of us, again regardless of sophistication, intellectual knowledge of the subject, or belief system, nevertheless avoid, suppress, and otherwise fail to deal in a healthy manner with these existential facts. It's scary, so we avoid, simple as that. We keep trying hard to "avoid" what CANNOT be avoided!
     When I was younger, it was as if "old" people were members of a different species - like butterflies with a two-day lifespan compared to my endless decades. Now I look at people of any age - even in their 90's - as being fully alive, like me, but not different. "We are - (ALL) - so lightly here!"

See also: http://healthyhealers.blogspot.ca/2012/11/compulsiveness-of-physicians-dentists.html 
and: http://www.johnlovas.com/2013/01/shine-light-of-awareness-embrace-process.html

Gimli, Lake Winnipeg