Your Eulogy - What Will It Say?

As we go through life, it often seems like there are times when the low points outweigh the high points. It seems like we cannot catch a break and things are continually going against us. We cannot get any traction on anything we do and nothing seems to work. It seems like we should have a “why bother attitude” because no matter what we do, we cannot win. It feels like we are living a life unfulfilled and unsatisfying.

Lately I had some things happen in my own life that in the past would have depressed me but this time around, I was a little bummed, but I kept it moving. I remembered that I have the capacity internally to drive my thoughts and emotions which will ultimately define me. It led me to think about my own eulogy and what I would want it to say about me.

For some, it is a scary thought to think about their eulogy. Why? It is scary for them to think about it because they are living a life that is not fulfilling, full of regret and constant procrastination. These people are not living the life they would like to live. Many are bitter and angry with a sense that life is not fair and that life somehow owes them something.

Their eulogy may read like this:

John Doe was born, had a happy childhood, became an adult and forgot to live his life the way he wanted. (There may be 5 to 7 people at the funeral, 3 of those will be bill collectors who attend to make sure you are dead and cannot pay your bills.)

This is sad but many are living day to day with the end result being like this above scenario.

I decided that I do not want to live like that – I prefer to be in a different place with my life. I want a eulogy that reads something like this:

John Doe was a man full of love, happiness and joy. He appreciated all the people in his life and was able to communicate with all of them in a positive manner regardless of the situation. He loved his family, was a great dad to his kids and cared about his friends. He had faith in God and participated in church activities on a regular basis. He loved Jane Doe and the two were inseparable. He would often be seen in the park writing her poetry or picking her fresh cut flowers. They traveled the world and he remarked the best journey he took was the one they shared when speaking with one another. He volunteered his time to help others succeed and never turned anyone away who needed help. He lived a life that others should emulate. He was loved and the world is better because he once lived.

Do you get the picture? This one is much better than the one above it which is depressive and dark.

You have the power to change your life and what your eulogy will say. Rather than some quick, depressing story about a wasted life you lived, why not have a life that is full of abundance, love and positivity. I know, you are thinking to yourself, there he goes again, talking about how great life is and I am here suffering on a daily basis.

I know you are saying this because I actually lived from that perspective for a long time. Each day I would wake up happy for ten minutes and then I would let my reality kick in which was depressing. Truth is, my reality was depressing because I allowed it to be depressing. I continually put myself in situations that I hated.

So, how do you turn it around and start living that fulfilling life? Here are a couple of suggestions:

Relationships – Stay away from negative people. Block them, unfriend them. delete them, ignore them, and avoid them at all costs. The last thing you need is the negative energy from these people who often enjoy hearing how miserable you are in life. Instead, surround yourself with positive, uplifting people who are life giving and full of love. Seek out positive relationships that allow you to be your true self.

Gratitude – Be grateful for what you have in life and your place in life. At times it may seem like you do not have anything to be grateful for in life, but there is always something, even if it is the fact that you woke up in the morning.

Emotions – We all have emotions but the key is to remember that you can control them. Sure, you may feel bad or down at times, but you do not have to stay in that place. You have the power to start thinking positively and how you can change the situation that is causing you to be down. Never allow the situation to control you, rather you control the situation.

Be Positive – Speak positive to everyone you touch on a daily basis and say hello to everyone you encounter during your day. If may seem corny, but this behavior ultimately will lead you to changing your altitude for the better. If you feel depressed and cannot shake the feeling, do not hesitate to seek out help. Seeking out help is not a sign of weakness, but a sign of strength because you recognize what you need and are taking action to get it.

Sometimes you have to think with the end in mind to get things right. That was the purpose of this article – thinking about your eulogy in an effort to motivate you to live a fulfilling life. As the popular saying goes, Live-Love-Laugh.

Dave