Poking fun at death relieves the tension.
“After Wendell Phillips’s death, someone met Judge Hoar and asked him if he intended to attend the funeral. ‘No,’ answered the Judge, ‘I don’t; but I approve of it.’” NY Times 1885
My Eulogy
A friend asked, “What two words would you love to hear at your funeral?”
I dodged his question. “One word I would say at your funeral is generous.”
He spotted my evasion. “I would like you to answer for yourself.” I replied, “The question makes me anxious. I’m not sure.”
Later I emailed him, “One word I hope to hear at my funeral is genuine. I don’t have a hidden agenda. I show up as myself.” (His request for two words was too much pressure.)
He wrote back, “That’s a perfect word for you. I completely agree.”
I don’t want to hear, “He was like sand in my underwear,” during my eulogy.
Your Eulogy
I resist the eulogy exercise. Choose one word instead.
Take death seriously so you can live skillfully:
Marcus Aurelius wrote, “In short, know this: Human lives are brief and trivial. Yesterday a blob of semen; tomorrow embalming fluid, ash.” Meditations
What one word would you love to hear at your funeral?
Today’s challenge: Live into your one-word eulogy.
How to Live Up to Your Aspiration – Not Down to Your Disappointment
For the brave: How could writing your own Eulogy help you live the life you want right now?
