“If you were to die today, what would you want written on your epitaph?”
I must admit that the first time I was asked this question, I was quite startled. I am 30 old, perfectly hale and hearty and I have many years to go before I can even think of dying! But then, Death does not visit only those who are sick and old. There are times when you can be busy carrying out the activities of your daily life when Death can creep up stealthily from behind and take you along with Him…With COVID-19 impacting the whole world, the fear and threat of dying is constantly looming in the shadows. There is panic, fear, crippling anxiety all around.
No matter how young you are, you always have the potential to achieve great things! Looking back on my life, I wish to have lived a life with no regrets. If I were to die today, I don’t want to regret the fact that I was not able to do the things I wanted to do because I was busy with the mundane tasks of the day! I want to live life to the fullest. I don’t want to keep making bucket-lists of things I want to do and end up doing nothing because I am waiting for the right time. I believe in seizing every opportunity that comes my way and making use of it to gather new experiences!
The one reason I fear death is because I fear oblivion! I don’t want to be forgotten. Even if I die, I want people to remember me for certain unique qualities. At the same time, if a stranger comes across my grave, I don’t want him or her to merely read:
Divya Srivastava
1989-2020
Even if the person did not know me at all, I wish that he or she would get to know me a little better by reading what is inscribed on my grave-stone. I strongly believe that Death is not the opposite of life but it is the opposite of birth. Life is eternal. Death, according to me, is merely an event that marks a transition between incarnations. When our soul is born, it travels from one body to another depending on the soul’s karmic requirements. On my epitaph, therefore, I would want written:
“She is a part of life
But not just a tiny bit;
She is life itself –
She is the whole of it!The physical part of her soul – the body – is what lies here. Her soul has been set free and has already embarked on its quest for adventures to newer lands.”
Writing your own epitaph can be an extremely emotional experience. This activity, borrowed from Existential Psychology, helps you gain perspective on your current life and the way you are living it. Now, I ask, “If you were to die today, what would you want written on your tomb-stone?”, what is your reply to this question?
Do spend some time and reflect on this question. If you are comfortable, I would really appreciate it if you can share your epitaph on this space for us to serve as a reminder that you chose to drop by here 🙂 .