Tour The Cemetery
Lost dreams. Ideas that went hidden or unfulfilled. Voices never heard. Tragic deaths, young and old. A single mom who left children behind. A man, homeless, who happened to serve his country honorably. And countless other narratives as I drive and walk past headstones and burial plots.
Recently I wrote about Austin Kleon and his daily ritual of reading the obituaries. It did not occur to me after reading about Austin that I realized I enjoy driving around the cemetery. I look at the headstones, read off the names and for some I research who they were. By doing so I learn about the person. As a result, I reflect back on my life. Am I doing the work I am intended to do? Am I doing my best? How will I be remembered? What do I stand for and value? What is my philosophy and do I talk about it or do I embody it? And much more…
I have written my own eulogy and recommend you do too. The connection to my own eulogy and touring the cemetery, it is a sobering way to check in with myself. More importantly, to remind me, where it all ends. Right here. In these grounds. Under rock and cement.
Your education doesn’t matter. How much money you make. The way you look. Your status. Your network. None of it matters when you make it to the cemetery.
Does it matter at all? Yes. Right now. In what you do, say and think. Your action today. The good that you do. The positive progress you make towards the person you want to become. To the people you help. The kind of parent you are. How you provide love and service to others.
Who wants to talk about death? No one really. I do and often. I’ve accepted death as an outcome.
By touring the cemetery it reminds me just how often we all die. The ancient Stoics believe we die every day. Every minute and hour that passes belongs to death. Moreover, death is not some eventual place we end up at. Death happens everyday. Since we’re on the topic of the ancient Stoics, I’ll leave you with two quotes by two prominent ancient Stoics:
“You can leave life right now. Let that determine what you do, and say, and think. - Marcus Aurelius
“You’re afraid of dying, but how is the way that you’re living any different from being dead.” - Seneca
P.S. - Memento Mori, remember you will die.
Thought Provoking Questions : If you knew you were going to die, how would that change who you are? (HINT: We all will die).
Dan Roman is a writer that releases a daily meditation. A quick read. Sharing wisdom and asking thought-provoking questions. Influenced by the obstacles, success and failures in life and of others. Using history, books, current events, philosophy, and ancient wisdom. These writings are actionable, thought-provoking, designed to make your life better.
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