"از مرگ نمی‌ترسم، بلکه از مردن."

The essence of this quote is the difference between the finality of death and the process of dying. Death, as the end state, doesn't scare us as much as the act of dying, with all its uncertainties and potential suffering.

Historically, this sentiment has been echoed by many thinkers and writers. It delves into our deep-rooted fear not of the end itself, but of the journey towards that end. The quote may have been uttered in times of personal reflection or during philosophical debates about mortality.

Imagine someone diagnosed with a terminal illness. It’s not the moment of death they fear the most. It's the thoughts of hospital beds, the pain, the loss of autonomy, and the burden on their loved ones. A real-life example is the story of a dear friend who faced a battle with cancer. She was remarkably brave about the idea of death but was terrified of the treatments, the side effects, and leaving her family in a state of prolonged distress.

So, how do you apply this wisdom? First, by acknowledging that the fear of dying is more about the journey than the destination. This can shape how we approach healthcare, end-of-life conversations, and our personal preparations for the inevitable. It’s about finding ways to make the process of dying as comfortable and dignified as possible—for ourselves and for those we care about.

Let's paint a picture. Imagine you’re sitting at your favorite coffee shop with a friend. He’s just been given a serious diagnosis. He’s not afraid of being gone, he tells you. What really keeps him up at night is the thought of deteriorating slowly, the pain, the medical interventions. You sit there, the noise of the coffee shop fading into the background as you realize the importance of living fully now, making plans for the future—not just the big things, but the small comforts that could ease the journey.

This concept isn’t just about illness. Think about the things that worry you in life. Often, it’s not the big change itself that scares you—it’s the process of getting there. Moving to a new city, starting a new job, ending a relationship. We worry about transition periods more than the new beginnings.

Here’s some advice: embrace the present, plan for comfort in transitions, and have those tough conversations. If we can make peace with the process of change, the end state becomes less daunting. It’s about understanding that being scared of the journey is natural, and finding ways to make that journey as smooth as possible.

It’s like hiking up a mountain. You might fear the steep, rocky path more than the summit itself. But if you prepare—good shoes, plenty of water, a map—you can make the climb less scary, maybe even enjoyable. You can focus on each step, each breath, rather than just the end.

So next time you’re faced with a daunting change, remember: it’s okay to be scared of the dying, not the death. And with a bit of preparation and the right mindset, you can make that journey a little less alarming.