“It is not that we have a short time to live, but that we waste much of it.” – Seneca
Death is Inevitable.
We shy away from thinking about death, but death is the one thing we are guaranteed in life.
As a means of reflection, I’m going to share the reflection I wrote in high school…
Preface
In high school, one of my favorite teachers assigned me to write an obituary, or an end-of-life monologue. To be honest, I had a difficult time doing this because I did not want my life to be defined by my accomplishments. It seemed as though most obituaries highlighted accomplishments over personhood. I decided that instead of forecasting potential success, I would write about my values and the person I hoped to become.
The Woman I Hope to Become…
People will remember my goodness, love, and truth-seeking personality that was evident in all areas of my life.
I always rejected the pressures of the world that attempted to mold me, desiring to take full responsibility for the outcome of my life. At my core, I was obsessed with growth. I wanted to become someone beautiful and genuinely loving. I wanted to become someone that I could have looked up to as a young girl. This desire was self-evident through the way I lived my life in constant search of self-mastery and self-betterment. I realized at a young age that “I am my greatest motivation.” A lifetime of intentional fulfillment is rare, but it is the greatest gift a person could give herself.
As a child, I grew a deep love for conversation and carried that passion into adulthood. I loved learning from other people, seeing their perspectives, and questioning my beliefs because it allowed me to find truths I would not have thought of seeking after.
I loved learning about health (brain, body, spiritual, etc.), I loved learning about technology’s potential to improve current systems, and I loved learning about relationships.
I was challenged through every aspect of my life, but none more than my relationships. Love is not just an emotion, it is a choice. Within that decision to love comes many challenges that promote growth and transcendence of self.
My family and friends will miss me the most, but I do hope that the positive impact I made is missed on a large scale. I am ecstatic knowing that my greatest legacy will be the people that I impacted, who will continue to make their marks far after I am gone.