Mid-life Suicide and Declining Spirituality

"Without emotion, man would be nothing but a biological computer. Love, joy, sorrow, fear, apprehension, anger ,satisfaction, and discontent provide the meaning of human existence" -Arnold M. Ludwig

The human condition provides us with the opportunity to experience a wide range of emotions and experiences.

However, how do people respond when the most unpleasant emotions and experiences overwhelm us?

Unfortunately, each year more than 32,000 people die by suicide each year in the United States. This is the equivalent of 89 suicides per day; one suicide every 16 minutes!

Nearly 80 percent of suicides are committed by men, although women attempt suicide more often than men.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) say suicide rates among middle aged people in the United States have increased significantly in a recent five-year period.

The CDC's analysis showed that suicide rates among people age 45 to 54 increased almost 20 percent during the period studied (1999 to 2004). In that same period, other age groups experienced smaller increases or even declines.

Why the increase in Mid-life Suicides?
In my humble opinion, the increase is due to a number of factors including loneliness, stress, hopelessness, financial difficulties, declining health, and most importantly a lack of TRUE spirituality (which is not necessarily based on any specific religion)!

Are you at current or future risk for considering or attempting suicide? Not sure?

Perhaps you need to first deeply consider what kind of life YOU are living? Spiritual? Religious? Meaningless?

Characteristics of those living a spiritual life:
Daily meditation and prayer
Decreasing fear of death
Find pleasure in the simplest things and moments in life
Always attempting to have an attitude of gratitude
Continuous evaluation and re-evaluation of one's life and purpose
View every situation as an opportunity to learn a “life lesson”
Not dependent on continuous, external validation of their self-worth
Constant pursuit of one or more of their passions in life

Characteristics of those living a meaningless life (many times leading to depression and/or suicide):
No TRUE “belief system” in place (maybe a follower of a religion, but have no true conviction)
Constant focus on materialism (Defining one’s value, worth or success by what they have or have obtained)
Strong desire to impress others with either material, educational, or career accomplishments
Living to work versus working to live
Live for various addictions (food, sex, attention, drugs, etc.)
No belief that there is a life beyond this one (Let's be honest, if there is no life beyond this one, your life would be truly "meaningless" in every sense of the word...In that mindset, the ONLY value your life has is the value you give it...nothing more...nothing less)
Need constant validation by others (People's opinions change as often as the wind blows...If you validate yourself by people's ever-changing opinions and impressions, you will eventually find yourself to be an emotional wreck)

Notice that I do not equate living a spiritual life the same as living a religious life. One could be religious and not be spiritual. One could also be spiritual, but not necessarily religious.

Lately, I have talked to too many religious folks who have shared with me their fears surrounding their religions (mainly Christianity) and life after death. Many of them stated that they “hope” that there really is a heaven. Many “hope” their sins are forgiven. Many “hope’ that their living is not in vain. Many of them go through the routines of their religions with NO TRUE conviction or faith, just a sense of obligation or fear of a possible hell.

To me, with true spirituality, there is a sense of “knowing” versus simply “hoping.”

As you contemplate your existence, ask yourself the following questions:
· What (or who) are you living for? Money? Children? Spouse? Career? Nothing? God?

· How do you define yourself outside of your job title, educational degrees, money, family name, reputation, gender, and ethnicity?

· If you died today, are you satisfied with the life that you have lived?

· Are you living a spiritual life or a simply a religious life?

· What do you REALLY believe in?


Advice to Remember:
· Your job is NOT your life! Never define yourself by your job or your job title. (If you do, what happens to your personal worth once you no longer have your job due to retirement, health, or staff changes!)

· You are NOT what you OWN! Define your existence and worth outside of ALL current or future material possessions!

· Discover you passions and pursue them relentlessly.

In the words of Albert Einstein:

"There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle."

I choose the latter way of living my life... What about you? Please share and post a comment!