Apparently today is “Plan Your Epitaph” Day.
So, although I don’t usually post on Fridays, I couldn’t resist a short one. We move so fast, working through the urgent. It’s a nice reminder to consider the legacy we are working to leave.
In her meditation “Set in Stone”, in Walking Towards Morning Meditations, Victoria Stafford urges us to consider what our epitaph “will read” and “does read.”
“She attended well and faithfully to a few important things”
“He got all the dishes washed and dried before playing with his children in the evening”
“She answered all her calls, all her e-mail, all her voicemail, but along the way she forgot to answer the call to service and compassion, and forgiveness, first and foremost of herself”
“She could not, or would not, hear the calling of her heart”
- What do you want on your epitaph?
- How do you want to be remembered?
- What one sentence best describes your life’s work?
- What would be the one sentence you would leave with the world?
Here are some real ones to get you thinking:
“I am ready to meet my Maker. Whether my Maker is prepared for the great ordeal of meeting me is another matter”
-Winston Churchill
“The best is yet to come”
-Frank Sinatra
“That’s all folks”
-Mel Blanc
“My life cannot be summarized in 140 characters #lovelife”
-proposed by Ben Evans
Oh yes, and mine…. simply “Namaste” which means the light that is in me honors the light that is in you.
And so I challenge you, what would you say on your epitaph? This will be so much more fun if you comment 
It’s Friday… let’s share. Heck, while you’re at it you can also tweet it out using the link below.
Namaste.
See Also:
13 Questions to Ask Yourself at the End of Your Career
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Not sure of what I want to be remembered for. I’ll leave that for others to decide. My favorite quote was from Mom, “Turn the page. There’s a whole new chapter awaiting you.”
Steve, oh that’s a good one!
are we almost there?
Marcus, nice!
Karin, Thank you for this post, it is a good way to reflect on how our actions today help to create the legacy we want to leave. I would like to believe that mine would read: “He took the time to get to know you, and always knew how to make you laugh – or at the very least smile”
Shawn, so glad you joined the conversation! I love yours…. perfect!