Your Eulogy

“When wealth is lost nothing is lost.  When character is lost all is lost.”
- Billy Graham

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Unfortunately, I have been to a number of funeral/memorial services in my lifetime.  How many times have you heard that a funeral/memorial service is intended to be a celebration of the life of the decedent?  It is through the eulogy that one’s life is examined and celebrated.   A eulogy is typically an oration honoring the decedent.  The honor focuses on the character of the person.  Rarely will your hear stories about of the material things in their life.  Things like money, houses, trophies, and awards, just to name a few, all become insignificant.   The things that you can’t take with you into the next life all become meaningless.
  

I was taught at a very young age that anything that you possess can be taken away from you, except your character.  It’s your character that you and you alone possess.  It’s your character that you’re responsible for and must safeguard.  At the time of death, everything is taken away, except your character.  Hence, your character will be the only thing that you will take with you into your next life. 

It is only fitting that as we honor our loved one we don’t speak of the meaningless things in their life.  They are honored by speaking of things that really mean something – things that transcends one life to the next.  We hear stories about love, kindness, gentleness.  We hear phrases like, “an awesome father,” “a loving mother,” or “my best friend.”   We hear words like “giving,” “dedicated,” and “loyal.”

My question to you:  When it comes time for your eulogy will it be like the reading of a resume and a financial statement?  If so, it is because you decided to spend more time building a resume and wealth than you did building character.  Nobody knows what our next life holds.  We do know that there is only one thing that we take with us and that is our character.  Therefore, all of us should be engaged in doing things that enhance our character.  Not only so we are well-equipped for our next journey, but it’s the right thing to do!   When we become a better person, we become a better spouse, parent, child, relative, friend, neighbor, employee – the list goes on.   When you become a better person, you make those around you better and the world becomes a better place.   Talk about a win-win situation all around: you become better, others become better and the world becomes better – that’s pretty tough to beat!

It’s your life: live it, love it, & celebrate it!
MJD