Autumn: Today we're exploring Caitlin Doughty's 'Smoke Gets in Your Eyes.' It’s a frank, funny, and profound look behind the scenes of a crematory, revealing our complicated relationship with death. Autumn: What problem does this book tackle? Our deep, cultural denial of death. We treat it like a secret, sanitizing it, hiding it away. Think about it – when did you last really talk about death? For busy professionals, this often means pushing grief aside, avoiding tough end-of-life talks, or just feeling unease about the future. This avoidance doesn't just leave us unprepared for loss; it disconnects us from life's full spectrum, making everything feel shallower and robbing us of the wisdom that facing mortality can bring. Autumn: So, what's Doughty's fix? It starts with pulling back the curtain. She found working directly with death actually reduced her fear. Confronting it, even just talking about it openly, dismantles the taboo. It’s about acknowledging reality, not as failure, but a natural part of life. Our modern funeral practices often disconnect us further, right? Think toxic embalming or sealed caskets preventing natural return. Doughty argues for honesty in grief – forgetting stiff upper lips for something more authentic, even messy. She champions simpler, natural options like green burials, allowing our bodies to return to the earth. As one environmentalist put it: "If my decomposing body can nourish a tree, that's immortality enough for me." It’s also about reclaiming rituals, making them personal and participatory, maybe even involving families more directly like in home funerals, rather than just a transaction. Ultimately, accepting death helps us appreciate life more intensely. Doesn't knowing our time is limited make each day feel more precious? Autumn: Here’s something to try tonight: As you're winding down, maybe scrolling your phone or watching TV, pause for just a moment. Quietly ask yourself: What's one small way I avoid thinking about mortality? Gently acknowledging that avoidance is the first step to living more fully, appreciating today. Until next time, find your five percent happier.