I went to a funeral today of a person who was loved and liked by many. She left her mark on so many people because of her concern, appreciation, and interest in others. Her positive attitude and genuine smile were admired and welcomed too.
Some said they hoped to be like her as much as possible and learned a great deal from her wonderful gestures and examples. Today’s experience brought about 2 very important thoughts to me. One was how much we need to appreciate life and the people around us that we care about because it is so fragile and can end at any moment. The other is how we want to live our lives so we can be proud of our efforts and accomplishments instead of disappointed by them.
My friend that passed today was loved and liked by so many people because she cared so much about others. Her heart was for other people and she knew how to give kind compliments or much needed words of comfort just at the appropriate moments. Not only that, but she was so happy to see you that if you didn’t know her, you would wonder if she was up to something or what. I tend to be a pretty positive person and yet she was a breath of fresh air. Her smile said much more than words can express and of course when you are a positive uplifting person, everyone wants to be around you. She lit up the room when she was around. What kind of life do you live? What are your actions toward others? What do people think about you? How do you want to be known when you pass?
And of course the fragility of life; I know that I often take for granted the time I have on this planet and the wonderful people we share it with and how quickly it can all end when our time or that of a friend is up in this world. Today made me think deeply about my life and the ones I love and how much they mean to me. According to what I heard, my friend that passed today had cancer and was told by her doctor that she was had a month to live. How might you live your life differently if you lived it as if this kind of information was told to you every day upon rising? How might you excel at your tasks, goals, and dreams if you lived your life like it was about to end? What might you do differently than that of what you are doing today? Why can’t you live this way without having the realization of such a troubling outcome? If you could accomplish and realize more and live a life that brings increased happiness and satisfaction than you currently are today, then why not start and do it today?
As I listened to family and friends talk about my friends passing, it was amazing the love that she had for them and vice versa. And it was clear to me at those moments how important love and relationships are. Don’t hesitate to ponder these wonderful thoughts about life as you live yours, for that is what makes life truly special. Jim Rohn says “We must all suffer from one of two pains: the pain of discipline or the pain of regret. The difference is discipline weighs ounces while regret weighs tons.” It’s so important that we make every day count; the choice is up to us.
Thanks Michael for your thoughts.
This blog on the internet was very strong and emotional to me as well as the people at the funeral. present as well as my dad, it really touched me to see not just the family, but the people who knew her very little or a lot.almost everybody there was either emotionally or externally in a state of grief for the person they would never see physically,was gone forever, but still not forgotten. In the part of the speeches the one that effected me the most when the rabbi said “I have never heard her say a negative thing in my life, and i am sure that nobody said anything bad thoughts about her either.” After the speeches were said and done, the time of burial was at hand. When it was my turn to bring dirt in the grave, I had a thought of ” she lived a very good life, will people learn from this valiant lady like i have at the funeral” a question not forgotten in her honor.