More recently, I have experienced the loss of several family members and friends. My mind has been consumed with the ideas of loss, regret, life, love and family. I think we all deal with death in different ways. Some of us cry, some shut down and do not show emotion, some express their grief through anger, and the list goes on. There is no right or wrong way to deal with the loss of a loved one.
When we experience loss, I do believe there is something each of us can personally take away from this situation. We each have the power to choose the life we live.
Will you live a life full of regret? Will you make more time for your friends and family? Will you go after that dream job? Will you finally turn your "someday" into "today"? What can you do to live your life to the fullest?
So back to the eulogy, the purpose of this exercise is to see how you can improve your existence now in order to reach your goals and live the life you dream of. So ask yourself, "What you would want others to know, believe and say about you once you have passed on?" It allowed me to think about my dreams today being manifested and accomplished in the future. Once it was written, we were then asked:
How am I living my life today that will lead to this outcome?
Where am I holding back waiting for "someday?"
It's a powerful exercise and I encourage you all to try it. If writing a eulogy is not for you, think about creating a bucket list. Here is the list I created in 2010. It's amazing to see how many things I have already accomplished.
My eulogy:
Our beloved, Amy Corrine Carrier, was a loving mother, adored wife, kind-hearted daughter, supportive sister, true friend and gifted healer.
Amy lived by Helen Keller's quote, “Life is a daring adventure or nothing.” She was a gypsy at heart and spent her life traveling the world. With each new destination and home, she touched the lives of those she met. She dedicated her life to helping those in need. No challenge was too big or too small. Amy's compassion and generosity stretched far and wide. She started her Mind-Body Wellness practice later in life, but had such a powerful impact on her clients and the world at large.
Amy was a devoted wife and traveled the world with her husband. Together they set out on a mission to help others and often put others' needs before their own. It was not long into their travels that their first child arrived. Amy's natural connection to children made her the most loving and nurturing mother. The birth of her second child was just as special. She always said that the greatest accomplishment of her life was being a mother. She truly looked up to her own mother and father and knew the importance of developing a loving household. Amy and her family enjoyed the outdoors. As a family they hiked, skied and enjoyed the beautiful water in the Pacific Northwest, which they called home.
Amy's late-mother, Linda, often described her as a hummingbird. Like the beautiful bird, she flew rapidly from one location to the next. Often her wings were moving too fast for the human eye to observe, but when she perched herself on a branch you could see what beauty she possessed and how delicate she truly was.
Amy will truly be missed. Although her physical experience has come to an end, her spirit will live on.
