Well, "Prosaic," there are some excellent ideas posted here. Enjoying some really sensual experience--taste, smell, touch, sound, or doing for others are things that often bring me back to the world of the living. I do think that we (or at least many of "we") are overwhelmed and feel very insignificant these days. So at least know that you are not alone (in spirit if not physically).

Heck, I was watching some educational thing on astronomy this morning, and realizing how miniscule the whole human race is compared even to the life of Earth and the Sun, much less to the stars and galaxies and universes to which our lives are "realtively speaking" a fraction of the diameter of an electron. Really, what does a universe care about you or me or our clones, or even any so-called leaders living (or pretending to live) or long-dead? There is precious little that anyone or any nation can do that will significantly alter the life of a star, or the expansion of a galaxy. Once we get sucked into whatever black hole is out there waiting for us there is not a darn thing anyone will be able to do except hold on to your hat and quickly review all of your most pleasant memories!

Oh, sorry, I'm supposed to be *lifting* your spirits! ;-) Yes, well, so my point is that you might as well let go and enjoy that which you can reach out and touch or otherwise experience personally and immediately. Make some memories that you can review when and if that black hole takes us. As the others have said, eat some rare and decadent food, drink some fine liquor, and listen to some really nice music, like that album you haven't listened to for 10 years but used to like so much. (I just rediscovered a Ken Nordine/wordjazz album. Now to get the turntable turning...) Or play some yourself.

Music bores you for the moment? Write someone a letter; take a walk around your neighborhood and linger to talk with the other people who live there. Talk about anything, and don't worry about embarassing yourself. Or read some of the Mudcat threads that you normally don't have time for and laugh and think to yourself, "What the hell are those folks going on about?!! I am sooooo glad I am *not* them?"

Irrespective any "afterlife" (and not to offend anyone who does believe) you get one go-around. Each moment that is gone cannot be retrieved. Get up outta your chair and walk around the room. OK, again. Now, put one foot after the other, and move toward something that has been suggested or that you have thought of.

And let us know that you are back when you arrive, please.