Why Thinking About Death Helps You Live a Better Life | Alua Arthur | TED

[@richardlerew]

I have died. You give permision. It is peaceful. It is like floating through a bright eyeball. On the other side there are only those that came before you. I am currently pregnant AND dying. So I live life. I show love. I smile so largly at the moon and sky I have given myself more wrinkles. Love life! Death does not hurt!

[@lubysisters2040]

Her talk is beyond beautiful! I listen to this talk about once a month and I ugly cry every single time. But it inspires me and reminds me to live every single moment and second of my life to the fullest! She is such a gift!!

[@AskAMortician]

Alua's authenticity and sincerity are the real deal. She's one of our greatest advocates and thinkers around death.

[@emilywhittle1420]

Big fan of all your work dealing with Death Positivity and I love the videos you made with Alua she is such a bright soul

[@peterfang4363]

​@@emilywhittle1420😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊

[@peterfang4363]

​😊😊😊😊😊

[@peterfang4363]

​😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊

[@peterfang4363]

​@@emilywhittle1420😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊

[@deesimzz]

I sobbed so hard at her description of what she believes death to be. Unbelievable talk. So grateful for her wisdom.

[@debracrews5216]

As@death doula, I applaud this Ted talk 110%. So right, like Barbara Karne’s said, “in real life people don’t die like they do in the movies”.

[@mmirafuentess1990]

Looking forward to my first day or lecture of Death doula course! I am 58, retired Pharm Tech, slightly depressed due to fibromyalgia pains, thoracic outlet syndrome, etc. However, there is time still to serve others.

[@nataliaprieto6723]

Hi Mirra. Check out Gin Stephens (book) "Fast Feast Repeat". & Dr. Jason Fung; You may find pain relief. Good luck!

[@aphrodite5206]

Going from watching this a year ago, to completing her death doula training this week and getting to talk to her virtually is surreal!

[@SS-ke6oq]

A life worth dying from. These are going to be the words I live by. Thank you.

[@MindfulClassroom]

How is it I just discovered Alua? This talk is poignant and powerful. I left it thinking more about living than dying. She drives home, our lives are a series of transitions preparing for the biggest transition death. She inspired me so deeply and transformationally.

[@Bise270]

I learned alot from this talk but the most that i will take from this is to "hold life lightly",nothing lastly forever.

[@octaviasithole3621]

I cried😭! Not because of sadness but because what she said makes so much sense. I am making it my goal to live fully in the years that I have left. Thank you ☺️ so much for this talk. 😊

[@arthurslouro]

I'm literally in tears as I watched this TED talk. It felt as if I was listening to a poem that touched me so deeply. Thank you TED for sharing this. What an amazing speaker.

[@adorablebelle]

This talk is poetic and full of wisdom. I want to write down the opening in my journal. So precious.

[@Nokaoitp]

Aloha and Mahalo to my dear friend who shared this video with me. 🧡🙏🏾🪷☀️ As a born, raised and practicing Buddhist I thought I had a healthy relationship with life and death. After watching you I am sooo encouraged to embrace learning more and become a DD. Mahalo for sharing YOU in the world for these beautiful human experiences and wearing my fav color just makes me love you more! 🧡🧡Mahalo beautiful Alua- I SEE YOU🙏🏾

[@Margochristiaens]

Alua did an amazing job, she inspired me to a new life motto, which from now on reads: 'Don't wait for things to happen, make them happen, because life doesn't stop for you.'

[@karinablaz981]

I’m so moved by Alua !! I sobbed when she shared her story of her brother in law .

[@narceliankrisa3769]

I love how she speaks with kindness, poetry, confidence and wisdom. Its been pleasing, funny and VERY touching to listen to her.

[@Willzd]

Wow wow wow wow wow - she is incredible! What a fantastic speaker, storyteller and thinker. I feel like I just experienced something very special.

[@Ring0fSaturn]

Alua Arthur is a blessed being and her TED talk is extraordinarily beautiful.

[@mostguitarswins]

"It is complete, and I am safe" Thank you for turning and facing the things that matter. Thank you for speaking ❤‍🔥🙏

[@mariaolsen2235]

This TED Talk is one of the best I ever have heard. Thank you, Alura Arthur, for sharing your insights and light with the world!

[@clinkedylinkedy1]

This is the best Ted talk I’ve ever seen. Thank you for gifting us profound meaning, Alua.

[@SugarAnnie2]

I attended Alua’s classes. No one can express it better. She is such a gift and a complete and utter delight!

[@itzallan]

An amazing and emotionally moving Ted Talk! I love the humor, which is not easy to have when talking about the subject of dying. Alua is an amazing orator!

[@Margochristiaens]

I completley agree with you. She kept it light-hearted and at the same time thaught us something very valuable.

[@plumpcosplay8562]

Just beautiful.

[@freedom2be_24]

I love her energy. Thank you, Alua, for serving humanity.

[@alexandraspinner6906]

As a woman with MBC- when I asked Drs is there a calendar or calculator that determines my end of life- well no…That is when I began pondering how do I really want to go- ever more so, accentuating how I really want to live- until that time. Alua Arthur spoke an absolute truth with soaring compassion, mostly she validated how my perception of life and death has taken on an entirely different meaning. Poignant and vulnerable and purposeful, thank you.

[@zeyadrezk7108]

"We highlight what we have to do to feel worthy rather than who we get to be"

[@YaelAmare]

I’m incredibly happy I came across this video

[@MoonLight-zk3gm]

I'm so in love with this woman's wisdom, it's beyond beautiful, she's amazing and inspirational

[@shawnkeller8954]

Amen- Dad in Hospice Care and your spirit is beautiful. Thank you for being you .

[@nicholasharvey7039]

Alua’s work with the Order Of The Good Death has always inspired me to live my life exactly how she describes it. Live life so that when you die, you’ll be remembered how you want to.

[@abenaoffeh-gyimah8265]

A life worth dying from ❤❤❤

[@sterlthepearl1000]

Time offers us opportunity, and demands a sense of urgency. As our present moment must be embraced, or our rewards for the future will be with held.

[@sm5773]

Ted made this talk happen for me. I have had these questions for some time now. I wish I could meet someone wise like her in real life. Why is this not that popular. Death is the ultimate truth and will happen to all - why don't we talk more about it.

[@olimpiasilva9268]

This talk is life transforming! Thank you

[@VIKASHMADHUKAR]

This is one of the best Ted I have ever listened to. Absolutely stunning.

[@kevinwilliams3272]

Alua, I really liked the somewhat humorous tone of this talk about a subject that scares so many people. But my God, where did you get those sublime high heels? ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

[@kaywilliams5673]

and the outfit, so very beautiful. Sigh.

[@kevinwilliams3272]

@@kaywilliams5673 The dress is indeed absolutely gorgeous, original and artistic. But nothing blows my mind more than high heels. I never go out with a woman who is not in heels.

[@misscarpone2]

Wow, Mrs. A., that talked was so touching. I cuurently feel my mom may pass this year, and think about my own life and death to come... I've tried to live life from the perspective of death, and yet, there is so much living in the glittery instants that I haven't plumbed yet. Thank you for your work. And btw, your beauty was a joy to behold.

[@sandyb-adventurer_nature]

This is beautiful, We should think about dying it helps shape what we do and how we relate to our society 🙏🏿🙌🏿🙌🏿🙌🏿

[@leonaisaac1368]

One of the most profound talks I have ever heard!❤❤❤

[@marinad894]

You are an Angel⭐️ thank you for sharing your gifts. I’m feeling inspired to become a death dula. 💕🌈🙏

[@jenniferwilson1937]

Beautiful - so glad that I listened. Thank you for sharing! ❤️

[@veronicajackson6607]

This was so graceful and beautifully conveyed 🥰. Life-changing talk! Thank you Alua ❤️

[@micahroberts8383]

Wow. More wisdom in this than I can hold onto. Going to be reflecting on this for a long time. Thank you for sharing this!

[@jh3755]

Absolutely amazing. I'm floored. What a blessing I found this.

[@keyshacole388]

Visually stunning, profoundly touching, perspective altering. Phenomenonal.

[@Fromthelaurels]

What an extraordinary talk, thank you so much Alua!!!! 👏👏👏👏

[@annemarieosborne2787]

Alua's extraordinary talk is a profound reminder to be present to the experiences and the richness of life and to those we love. In the end, that is all that matters.

[@abenaoffeh-gyimah8265]

Listening to this felt like life intimately touching my face and reassuring me to live full ❤😊

[@raejraejrae]

That was so beautiful. Thank you for this offering

[@Kglviews]

Wow, so succinctly spoken…thank you Alua, for this wonderful and enlightening piece

[@hannaisGOLDEN]

Probably the best Ted talk or speech in general I’ve ever seen. Amazing work Alua 🏆

[@trishag.971]

I love this!! The visual imagery, the details, thought-provoking questions.. just incredible talk all around.

[@christinasealy2424]

My favourite TED talk - never heard such a talk . Thankyou

[@carinm.bonifacino]

Absolutely stunning talk, message, and delivery. Thank you, Alua!!

[@ValentinGao]

Thank you Ted for making this happen, Thank you Alua for sharing such a magical perspective and lesson. I am forever changed in the perspective of how I look at death and face it. 💛

[@drhymanwritesandspeakes]

Beautifully given, so inspirational, so affirming. Thank you for the lesson learned, and the experience shared! 🙏

[@sherephajohnson3616]

So gracefully spoken!! Thank you for sharing your knowledge and wisdom on bridging the gap between life & death❤🌻

[@ree7726]

I am in awe. Just wow. Alua, a gift.

[@krystalyoung8849]

Loved this. I always come back to her stuff when I’m struggling with life.

[@TracyAllenVideos]

I am a pre-need planning advisor… Helping adults, no matter the age, to put a plan in place so that our loved ones don’t have to do the hard work while grieving. I want to talk more about this kind of stuff more as a speaker because so many people are so squeamish about the topic of death. So, I did a search about “death talks” and came across this video. I thoroughly enjoyed it. This beautiful lady made it sound so powerful and beautiful. Although we must keep in mind that it is not always illnesses that take us out. Unfortunately some people died tragically😢 But yes… The fact that we have “lived at all” needs to be celebrated! And then we must prepare for this party to end. I will find a way to approach this topic on my KZbin channel better then I have before and I hope to bring some joy/love light about our endings💞💝💐🙏🏽

[@MarceilMay]

What a beautiful gift....thank you Alua and your book! Just WOW....beyond grateful!

[@MillhouseSpeaks]

In Islām being conscious of death is vital! Everything we do will it please god and result in a good death a good rest in the grave and heaven or not in the afterlife

[@FaceFcuk]

Is that why they blow up themselves and children at pop concerts

[@MillhouseSpeaks]

@@0PR0T0ZER0 I’m not trying to scare anyone!

[@KayyAhmad]

Exactly

[@Tinkerfinca]

Brilliant! I wish she was there at my father’s end of life. People with cancer need more dignified care at the end of life. Thank you for the colorful celebration at the end of your life.

[@elvytan4682]

Thank you, Alua & TED, for one of the best talks ever!

[@kimmy-suepinup3431]

Wow! Beyond powerful! Heartfelt and definitely will be applied to my services as the Pin Up Pastor 💗💖Life is truly the greatest gift! Enjoy the journey! 💝

[@NadiaEaazy]

I am currently working as a caregiver with someone in hospice. I have been with her for 4 years- it is literally an honor to be with her as she is in the process of dying. I feel like this is a path for me. Thanks for confirming

[@mishya_8968]

the thought of death actually comforts me. not that i want to end my life but rather it is in knowing that our limited time here makes me more grateful for the time i get to spend with my loved ones, and for the experience i continue to have no matter how big or small they are. we'll all be gone someday. at the end, it is all about how we made others feel with our brief moment on earth

[@AmyAnnetteHenion]

Alua Arthur is my hero. What a beautiful talk. ❤

[@swadow11]

I buried my little brother not even two weeks ago listening to this to im not sure but it helps Edit This means so much to hear and bring so much peace and love. Thank you for sharing

[@Acapulco610]

Oh , how beautiful the speech is. Thanks

[@nroosafs]

I cry A LOT, but now I will try do that, thank you so much to share this ❤❤❤

[@2killnspray9]

I can't stop thinking of the fact that death may be an infinit emptyness. It terrifies me when I start overthinking of it. My mother died young (41) brutally when I was only 11. The fact that she may not be here somehow to see me grow it's an absolutely scary and sad thing, that she will never see my future kids etc. Something I can't fully accept and I can't just accept infinite nothingness, so I just try to have faith that there is "more".

[@diegofarias4485]

Thank you for this video. It really helped me to think about my life.

[@kiiza.s.hussein9092]

What it means by confronting the reality! She is fantastic and articulate on idea of coming to terms with death and live a better life!

[@PatrickTilford]

I’m glad one day this will be over. Life is hard, but living is harder. I’m a Man I’m tired of this places. I apologize to all the people I hurt. ❤

[@daily-proverbs]

Well said. Also notice this: Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth. Walk in the ways of your heart and the sight of your eyes. But know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment. (Ecclesiastes 11:9) Also, this: The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. (Ecclesiastes 12:13)

[@ninsennansen]

I really needed this video. Thank you, TED❤ Thank you, Alua❤❤

[@mtrillo6165]

Pure absolute beauty found in these words

[@kimbillanderson1315]

Stunning!!! Thank you for touching my life!!

[@robertaswhite4939]

This is what I help people do for a living as a Death, Dying, Grief Specialist. 💙

[@TheLearningLounge]

How can one cry so hard, and laugh, almost at the same time? The universe, through Alua Arthur, just sent me one heck of an important message. Thank you so very, very much. May I add, that outfit is sensational 😉.

[@AB-mz2ev]

Amazing talk. Poignant. Thank you, Alua.

[@sterlthepearl1000]

Yesterday is history tomorrow is a mystery today is the present and that's why it's A Gift

[@AkaHappinnes-bl3vy]

Alu where are you, girl? Finally, I watched someone who thinks like me daily. I thought I must be mad to think of my death that much... I am not sick By God's grace but I know not someday but any time of a day I can leave this will. I am happy knowing that. Surely it will be a celebration as you said.

[@buster9106]

I was diagnosed with a life-threatening heart condition with no known cause. I was extremely ill for 2 years and actually went into cardiac arrest. thankfully I had a defibrillator implanted three months earlier. It's not just about the dying person giving up on the busyness of life. No one in my family came to see me while I was clearly dying. They were too busy with their career moves, the promotions, the more money, the even better vacations, to put that aside and to be with me while I was dying. So it's not just the dying person who needs a change in mentality in order to accept what's happening. It's the people who you believe love you, that have to do the same thing. Otherwise, no matter how much you try to prepare for a meaningful death, you're still just alone.

[@Godblesstaiwan2025]

“Waiting for what..? Like .. death ?!” She’s right on !!

[@imrankhanmac]

One of the best TED talks. Reminds of Steve Jobs speech at university

[@Rocco6161]

"Eat the dessert you want, you will die" This one will get a lot of views, great talk.

[@edde290]

I am in awe Thank you 🙏🏾

[@n_bld]

Incredible, had to pause a few times .. so so moving

[@kellygreen7275]

I follow you on IG and will start process soon to become a doula. I just have to say this…THAT OUT FIT IS 🔥 🔥🔥🔥 Thank you for your work.

[@ceciliaz2208]

Preciosa intervención. Graciasssss

[@STEPHLEX85]

That was the most beautiful thing I’ve ever heard

[@ArthurAnymoredonuts1]

I love her, I love her work, and let's also talk about that ORANGE. dayum!

[@viviigaa]

the opening sentence is just so deep...

[@aplik881]

" ..after having lived a LIFE worth living for' ! Fantastic talk thank you. I times to times try out people asking them "so, what's your thoughts on death..do you think about it? Are u scared? Do u see beyind?".. The glittering shower...aaaaaahhj 🎆😁🤗

[@Pokemon-Master]

Best TED talk i’ve ever heard. ❤

[@cro-emils783]

I first heard about Alua Arthur and about what she does on the show Coast to Coast a.m. and called in the show.