I also enjoy the perspective of Carlos Casteneda too. In his paradigm he likens Death to your greatest teacher and ally in choosing what is important to you in your life.
If one can keep one's own death constantly in conscious awareness (an almost impossible task!), then a person can make wiser choices as to what is important and what actions to undertake and which aren't worth your (very limited) time.
Very true, we have to be prudent about how we spend our time. Simultaneously not letting that healthy fear become "unhealthy" by taking over our minds, something I've struggled with in the past. We have to just embrace our fate and perhaps if we are inclined to do so, seek spiritual comfort.
Once again, thanks for the eye-opening post.