Monday 18 June 2012

Write Your Own Epitaph!

"If you were to die today, what would you want written on your epitaph?"

The first time I was asked this question, I was a little startled. I am just 22 years old, perfectly hale and hearty and I still have many years to go before I can 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...

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
1989-2012
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 helps you gain a 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...

24 comments:

  1. i have never given much thought about dying but now i have to think something to answer ur question!! i will surley get back and tell u once i a have got it!! till the time u answer my question , here it goes - according to our religion, our body is burnt into ashes so we cannot have a grave at the same time !! so are u planning to have a grave when u die?? but really very good question to think of in free times!!

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    1. @Chaitanya
      I know in Hinduism we burn the dead instead of burying them...This is just an imaginative activity...If you die, how would you want people to remember you...You don't need to actually consider being buried under a grave-stone to do this activity!!

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  2. http://www.luminarium.org/sevenlit/marvell/coy.htm

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    1. To His Coy Mistress - I am quite fond of that poem indeed :)

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  3. Very deep and reflective thought expressed here ..

    I totally agree with you that one should never miss out on life itself getting caught in the wheel of daily activities .. We should take time to do the things we love and most importantly spend time with ourselves .. I need that time everyday when I can be alone .. Just me and my thoughts in complete silence ..

    As for the epitaph, I don't know .. Have never thought of it ..
    But whomsoever I meet in my lifetime, I want to have made a difference in their life .. Need not be anything big .. It could as simple as adding to their repertoire of different kinds of people in the world, some happy times spent together, having been able to teach them by example of how to be or even how not to be, leaving a positive impression wherever possible .. I want people to be happy that they got to know me or simply met me at some point of time in their lives ..

    You come across as a very wholesome and nice person Divya .. I just love the way you think and write ..
    Glad am getting to know you through this space ..

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    1. Thank You for those kind words :) :) I like to believe that I am a good person at heart and I am glad that my writings seem to reflect that point of view :)

      We all want to be remembered when we are gone and even if we have made a trivial impact on someone's life, we'd want that to be acknowledged :) :)

      And, Aarthy, wanting people to be happy that they had a chance of knowing you or the fact that they were able to meet you - I think that is a very nice and simple way of looking at things :) After all, no one wants to be the person others wish they had never met ;)

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  4. very profound post, I must say!
    Agree with Aarthy. We all need a little introspection everyday to let us switch off from the mundane and reflect on the wholesome picture.
    Frankly, I've not thought of any epitaph. I just hope when I leave the world, people are not happy to get rid of me ;-)

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    1. :) :) :)
      I am sure no one will be glad to get rid of you, Uma! As long as my post was able to drift the minds of some people away from their daily drudgery and make them reflect on the bigger picture, I guess my job, here, is done!

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  5. Enjoy everyday in life as if it is the last one:) It does not matter how people judge you later!

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  6. Well said Divya:) Very deep thoughts indeed:) Keep sharing..

    I am your new follower:)

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  7. Thanks :) Glad you enjoyed reading this :) Do keep visiting :)

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  8. Such a meaningful post Divya, you've set me thinking! Need to stop running about like a headless chicken, whiling days and years away and doing routine things. I am your bucket-list person, who will make lists, think and hesitate about making decisions and just seizing the moment! My epitaph would have words like being content, finding happiness, singing her own tune, being a good friend while we walked together.

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    1. Good to see you've got your thinking cap on :) Pause from doing the routine things...Try achieving the items on your bucket-list one at a time :) :) :)
      I like that part on your epitaph - being a good friend while WE walked together :) :)

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  9. well, never thought about this....this is going to be tough!

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  10. wow! I can never think of this! This requires so much contemplation !

    love
    http://www.meghasarin.blogspot.com

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    1. A little bit of introspection and contemplation is always good :)

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  11. You know, I have this constant desire to be remembered too however there are days, when I give up on that dream and do not want any of that jazz. I want to be buried though I do not belong the apt religion, yet I wish. And, I want my journals buried alongside. Enough for me :)

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    1. I think when I die, I'd want my writings burnt - I am not sure I am very comfortable with people reading all that I have written once I am no more :) :)

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  12. This is an amazing one gal!
    And needless to say, its been 20 mins and I'm still thinking..
    Just that this idea of death somehow scares me..
    I'm gonna find mine and send it to you for sure!:)
    Tc:)

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    1. Let me know when you manage to come up with something :) Awaiting to see what you come up with :D

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  13. Hey there!

    Came here from Chatty Wren's blog. Loved this post. Set me thinking. I sometimes makes endless lists of things to be done before I die - sometimes I just seize the opportunity to get new experiences. :)

    If I were to die today, I would love my epitaph to read:

    She lived each moment
    The best she knew how to.

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    1. I love what you've written on your epitaph :) Thanks for stopping by :) Do keep visiting :) I shall visit your blog soon :D

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