Monday, April 15, 2013
Your Obituary
Review the Preface and pp. 6-13 of Barry and The Death of Ivan Illyich.
What is the meaning of life? What are you not realizing about life?
How might an examination of life inform your living? Answer this
question, in part, by thinking about your own obituary. What do you
need to do now in order to have that obituary? Feel free to reference Barry, Stevenson & Tolstoy in your response.
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I think that we are put on this Earth for each other. We are supposed to talk, love, do good deeds, get in to trouble, succeed and fail. Like how Ivan goes through life and absorbs himself in his work, but doesn't make any real close, loving relationships. He was unhappy and felt like had an unfulfilled life because of this. If we live life loving people and sharing things (memories, laughs, acts of kindness) then we will fulfill life's meaning.
ReplyDeleteI didn't realize this at first. I felt like a bystander in my life. I had friends and good relationships with my family, but I was always passive and never did anything on my end for those relationships, at least I feel like I can do more. And do more kind things for strangers, because even if they don't know your name, they will have a kind image of you... I could go on and on.
I want my obituary to reflect the I am loving, fun and caring person. I don't think I have to do much besides start living my life.
I loved what Jackie said--the part about making a kind image towards strangers. Whether you're religious or not, there is always always ALWAYS value in being a kind person. I have always believed in karma, and I hold it to be true that what goes around comes around. Of course noone is perfect, and sometimes if I'm going through a rough patch, it seems the perfect time to stop and evaluate myself and my recent actions.
DeleteI'd love to have an obituary that is easy to write. Where my life, the good things I have done, the people I have in my life--it all comes flowing easily. I don't want it to be a struggle to find words that described my life and myself. So far, I think I have a close, good group of friends that believe that to be true. God willing, I will have time to get married and start a family of my own who can pass on stories about me.
I do agree with Jackie and Laura, we were put on this earth to serve others/to help others. We are challenged with the unexpected, God would not put us through things if he thought we could not conquer them.
ReplyDeleteI would hope my obituary states how outgoing life was to me or how I was in life, I did not take anything for granted and I would want everyone to know how much I appreciated life and everything in my life. I believe I am seen as a happy, outgoing, full of life person, etc. I still do believe I have a lot to experience in life that will continue to make me a better rounded person.
I agree with what Jackie said and the reference with Ivan's life and unhappy thoughts when death was experienced. To me, life is somewhat of a test that we are put through with certain situations that characterize us among our peers. I honestly have no idea what comes after life and I really still cannot say I believe in God or heaven. However, I am hopeful that I find something makes sense to me. I also believe that we have to be good people in life and live every second in a way we can look back on and be proud of to avoid what happened to Ivan. I don't want to work my entire life like he did and look back to regret things. Enjoying the small things while you can in life seems to be the most important thing to me at the moment and not avoiding death, rather, embracing it can keep us a little more honest in our endeavors by not taking advantage of them.
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