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

[@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]

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[@peterfang4363]

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[@peterfang4363]

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

[@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!

[@deesimzz]

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

[@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!!

[@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.

[@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!

[@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!

[@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!

[@adorablebelle]

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

[@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.

[@narceliankrisa3769]

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

[@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. 😊

[@Bise270]

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

[@SS-ke6oq]

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

[@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”.

[@fkmyoutube]

This video has been in my Watch Later List until today, as I got busy with life, thinking I will come back to it later. But today I just needed something to speak to me. My life has been a mess, with wrong decisions in life and work. I know I am mildly depressed. So I just decided to watch this video today, and I am glad I did. It changed my perspective on the problems that I am facing in my life, where they are not that important anymore. I want to live, to try to experience what else life has to offer, good or bad, with no regrets, until the very end of my life. This could be the one moment that changes my life.

[@user-le7rf8ms7r]

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.'

[@mostguitarswins]

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

[@clinkedylinkedy1]

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

[@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.

[@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!

[@user-le7rf8ms7r]

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

[@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🙏🏾

[@freedom2be_24]

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

[@plumpcosplay8562]

Just beautiful.

[@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.

[@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.

[@karinablaz981]

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

[@Ring0fSaturn]

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

[@zeyadrezk7108]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@shawnkeller8954]

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

[@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.

[@sandyb-adventurer_nature]

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

[@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.

[@olimpiasilva9268]

This talk is life transforming! Thank you

[@leonaisaac1368]

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

[@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

[@YaelAmare]

I’m incredibly happy I came across this video

[@veronicajackson6607]

This was so graceful and beautifully conveyed 🥰. Life-changing talk! 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. 💛

[@trishag.971]

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

[@hannaisGOLDEN]

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

[@carinm.bonifacino]

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

[@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!

[@abenaoffeh-gyimah8265]

A life worth dying from ❤❤❤

[@MoonLight-zk3gm]

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

[@Kglviews]

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

[@abenaoffeh-gyimah8265]

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

[@drhymanwritesandspeakes]

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

[@jh3755]

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

[@marinad894]

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

[@llerretjazelle]

That was so beautiful. Thank you for this offering

[@jenniferwilson1937]

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

[@Fromthelaurels]

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

[@Rocco6161]

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

[@krystalyoung8849]

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

[@MarceilMay]

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

[@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.

[@christinasealy2424]

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

[@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💞💝💐🙏🏽

[@sherephajohnson3616]

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

[@neemaloveslife6846]

❤❤❤❤make meaning out of the magic of the mundane! Thanks Alua!Thank you for sharing this!

[@elvytan4682]

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

[@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".

[@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

[@ree7726]

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

[@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.

[@diegofarias4485]

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

[@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

[@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!

[@ninsennansen]

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

[@nroosafs]

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

[@mtrillo6165]

Pure absolute beauty found in these words

[@kimbillanderson1315]

Stunning!!! Thank you for touching my 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)

[@AB-mz2ev]

Amazing talk. Poignant. Thank you, Alua.

[@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.

[@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

[@edde290]

I am in awe Thank you 🙏🏾

[@AmyAnnetteHenion]

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

[@ArthurAnymoredonuts1]

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

[@andrewpinnell1172]

Thank you for sharing your heart experiences and growing wisdom. ❤️

[@Moonlightnmadness]

Hands down best speech ever! I love her !! Ty Alua you’re truly amazing

[@edwardagust]

Wow,I loved this talk! 💗

[@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.

[@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.

[@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 😉.

[@letsbetrees]

This video was riveting! BRAVO

[@reneengelbrecht-xj4eu]

Really beautifull thank you I really needed to hear this❤

[@SanctifiedLady]

When I dye, I want to be in a comfortable bed, quiet house with a small gathering of family and friends talking softly and laughing and we all having a little party. Food and music in the air. Everybody comfortable in the space. I will be as content as I am today with all my arrangements made. I definitely don’t want any rules or regulations followed that effects me getting my pain meds…and eating whatever I want. Smiling about the inheritance put aside and I’m leaving…I and have lived to see some family use the money to better themselves and their lives through my legacy. As a hospice nurse, I’ve seen and attended beautiful deaths. I’ve seen some people fighting life and the whole process with fear and trembling. Horrifying, horrible deaths that the family has to allow remember. 😢

[@imrankhanmac]

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

[@ItsAliciaK]

Love this 💜

[@sterlthepearl1000]

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

[@robertaswhite4939]

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