Everyone knows they're going to die, but nobody believes it.
After you have wept and grieved for your physical losses, cherish the functions and the life you have left.
If the culture doesn't work, don't buy it.
Do I wither up and disappear, or do I make the best of my time left?
We have a sense that we should be like the mythical cowboy... able to take on and conquer anything and live in the world without the need for other people.
The best way to deal with that is to live in a fully conscious, compassionate, loving way. Don't wait until you're on your deathbed to recognize that this is the only way to live.