In case you have not noticed, I love and fear God, I’m also a devoted follower of the principles and person of Jesus Christ! I’m saying this just to set the records straight. Some of you will like me more, some less, and some will not care more or less. I’m saying this so you understand my tilt, and know that I’m nothing but a steward of everything in my care.
Haven understood that first paragraph, another thing I’ll like you to know about me, is that I do not fear death. Death is scary, don’t get me wrong, but I confronted the thought of it so much that I’m not scared by the shadow of death. As a matter of fact, I believe that one of the most limiting things to the human potential is a fear of death. When you conquer the fear of death, you live life to the fullest. One of my most enjoyed methods of confronting death, is to sit down, and think up what I want to be my epitaph. It’s called living today with the end in mind. Stephen Covey wrote some great thoughts about this in 7 habits of highly effective people. I’ve done this a lot, and one that has been most consistent for about a year in my mind is this one… Still a Blessing.
When (If…depending) I die, I want my epitaph to read… still a blessing. I want to be as much a blessing dead as alive. This was the fundamental thought that helped me to define what I wanted to be writing about on this blog. It made me know, I needed to try as much as possible to write about timeless things. Things that if you stumbled on this blog when I’m long gone, you will end with a deep sigh of relief, and say, wow, that touched me.
You see, from my frame of reference, we never really die. We only transit, from this world to another. And I want the things I did, when I was in this frame of reference, to still be valuable when I transit. I want every one who knows, and maybe then, knew me, to look at my life, my works, stand by my grave side and say… even now.. he’s still a blessing.
Don’t get all mushy eyed on me, by God’s grace, I’m going to live long and enjoy my years. I will see my children’s children’s children. I will hold them in my hands and bless them… the same for you too… if you say Amen!
When you write an epitaph for yourself, your life takes new meaning, gains new focus and gets fresh direction. You know what you are here for, what you want to be remembered for. The fear of death wanes, and your life becomes more free, more fulfilling and more refreshing. You become less concerned about making mistakes, less bothered about temporary things. You live your life with the end in mind, you leave an exceptional life.
It’s not an easy exercise, it starts from witnessing your own funeral, of if you like the 80th birthday in your honor. What do you imagine your friends saying about you, your colleagues, neighbors, acquaintances, your children, your grand children, your old friends…what do you want them to say? What do you want written on your tomb stone?
If you have one, let’s have it…if you don’t, try one out here… Thanks.
24 thoughts on “…Still a blessing!”
Wow deolu dat was very inspirational, in as much as it is impossible to please everybody, it is possible to be nice & try & be a blessing to all those u meet along the road of life.
If it is appreciated, then praise God; if not, u walk away knowing u did wat was right & God is pleased wit u.
Its time 4 me to go & start planning my own funeral 🙂
A BLESSING TO HER GENERATION!
“…AND SHE LIVES ON…” It brings tears to my eyes imagining living here. But i guess we’ll all go someday. Thanks Deolu, you just brought a very important part of life to my mind… Keep on keeping on
@Chairman,
This is really touching, we really need to examine our lives presently if at the moment it really reflect what we desire to have as our epitath. I think if we give this a deep thought we will come out better and start living a selfless life.
As for me i want to be remebered this way …….”Here lies a guy who puts smiles on many faces (i think i will die smiling so my skull to will continue to smile even while rusting away)”
See you all at the TOP!!!
Josh
08034389504
Quite reflective. Let everyone go and ponder. No one knows when the end shall come, except God. As for me, I’d like to see
“Here lies a man who helped others find hope while there was no hope, who helped people when there was no help in sight” I’m still working on it, and I’ll reach there someday.
This requires some DEEEEEEEEP Thought.
This is what our Elders would call “ijinle oro”.
I would like mine to read “Lived a life in service to God and to Humanity”
NOTE: I ain’t dying soon
Wonderful piece and comments from everyone!
For me Biosfrank, I really would like my epitaph to read; “THOUGH NOW SPEECHLESS,HIS GOOD WORKS SPEAK ON.” “Here was a man that believed that you will get what you want if you help enough other persons get what they want, and he really lived up to his belief.A real blessing and sourse of hope, motivation and inspiration to his generation and generations after!”
My people! This is what I termed; My
“HIGHLY INSPIRED VISION (HIV)”
……To God Be The Glory, and Benefit To Humanity!!!
That is serious food for thot. Thanks for that and stay blessed.
http://www.freelancez.blogspot.com
food 4 thought really, ve really not be considering that but ve always considered being a living legend. I mean in my immediate vicinity being responsible.
Just to know more about HYIP
Nice,
Finally I found someone that share my opinion about life. i kinda wonder when i see people talk about death as if it were something extra ordinary..they seem to forget the fact that it is something that happens everyday just like people drink water every day, though sorrowful but very inevitable.
I marvel at the kinda look people give me when i make the statement “I can’t die or I can’t fit die” They think am crazy, yeah am crazy but because i read my bible and i know what it tells me about DEATH, i know i am beyond death. Even the scripture challenges death “Death where is your……”look that up in the scriptures.. Christ did overcome death, Enoch was taken by God, Elijah took the flaming ride…why can’t i ride into heaven in a “Lamboghini Diablo” if Jesus hasn’t return when its time to move into the next Dimension, the next level
When Deolu asked us to write an epitaph for ourself, he wasn’t talking about the written words laid on the stone on your grave, he wants us all to write inextinctable life changing deeds in the heart of our generation and in the heart of generations yet unborn. Nothing in the History of Man will erase the deeds of Maghandi in Asia, nor will an atomic bomb be enough to erase the impacts of Martin Luther King Jr. on the sand of time.
Take a close look at who you are and write that epitaph now in the hearts of men forever.
…unforgattable
Hi everybody,
Just to appreciate Deolu and all the bloggers on this page for the wonderful works you guys are doing towards affecting the lives of men positively.
Keep it up guys!
This particular post, and Abidemi comment in particular reminds me of the need and the power of leaving an indelible legacy behind. Take a look @ this words of PERICLE: “What You Leave Behind Is Not What Is Engraved In Stone Monuments, But What Is Woven Into The Lives Of Others.”
Also remember this: “Whatever the Mind shall conceive and believe, the man will achieve”
Therefore, “….Write the Vision, and make it Plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.”
Together, we can make a difference.
See you a ‘World Changer’!!!
Hi Deolu, quite refreshing to hear from you….
A person living without purpose (to serve or of service) , is one living a slow death/ a living death, life is all about purpose…
Not everyone will appreciate one’s life, but as long as you can influence positively and effectively one person-and it can be reproduced, that is success
– that is leaving a legacy.
What would I like my epitaph to read:
-She strived for balance-
bye 4 now.
Good piece!!!
Just like you wanted it to, it did touch me.
Hmmm. Just like you my epitaph has always been…’wherever you go,(whoever you are in life, whoever you come in contact with or whatever you do) leave a “footprint”‘.
Thanks Deolu for reminding me about my epitaph. Although I’ve always been saying it (to people as a sort of advice), but I’ve not done much about it…but now, I know I’ll work more on it.
Touching!!! Quite touching.
I’ve thought about what I want to be remembered for several times before now, but not in terms of an epitaph. The epitaph idea gives it new meaning and puts it in better perspective. Actually my thoughts on this change from time to time as I gain experience knowlege and understanding in life.
As and when I transit to the other side of eternity, I will want to be remembered as someone who…
‘came, saw, served and gave himself for others’
Howdy Deolu,
Truly,we should all strive to leaving an unforgetable impression on those that comes into contact with us.
My guiding principle in life is “do unto others as you would want them do unto you”
Upon deep reflection,my epitaph…..”he sowed and reaped good”
Cheers!!!
Deolu,
This is a great Piece
I want my epitaph to read “…… He gave others the permission to let their light shine”
@
Abidemi
VERY WELL PUT..!!! i am rendered speechless on that one.. and not much can do that to me.. thank you for that food for thought..
i really quite reckon with what stephen covey did in his book. for me one thing i wil like for people to say about me when i am long gone is “he made live beyond our limitations” i believe everyday should be a blessing for us and we should endeavour to be a blessing to others. don’t worry about what u can do, rather do what you can, to who you can, when you should. yes!!!! timing is crucial to our deeds. stay blessed.
This is scriptures fulfilled. “… the families of the earth will be blessed through you” Gen 12:3
Am sure am reading this post for a 2nd time on this blog though this seems kinda edited, I was touched now am still touched but the real question is what ve I done as regards this, God help me, amen!
wonderful piece. the truth of the matter is that when we where created, the mindset of the creator was for the created to make impact and leave the world a better place than how he met it. it wasnt an option for him. he must do it. may God help ud in this journey not just to complkete statistyics of the people in the world but to be and always be a blessing to our world.
being a blessing to me is really the essencxe of life. nothing less.