You are the author.
Each day that passes you are one day closer to death.
This past week I watched the movie It Ends with Us, a Colleen Hoover book turned movie. In the beginning the protagonist Lilly was given the responsibility to write her father’s eulogy and list five attributes of her father. With a blank piece of paper, she was lost for words and abruptly excused herself. Lilly did not have much to say because her father died of bad character.
Death is quickly approaching, so how do you want remembered?
Our days are numbered, it’s time to get to work. Because if you don’t write your own story you may not like what “they” have to say. Your legacy depends on the choices you make now, how you show up and the person you strive to be.
Our past may have shaped us, but it doesn’t define us.
The Obituary Challenge
Writing out an obituary is a good exercise to reflect on the past and share the ideal person you strive to be.
I don’t know about you but I don’t want to be remembered from my past but the woman I am today. A woman who fell hard, picked herself up and today holds her head high.
My Obituary
Karen's death is predetermined by God on the day she dies. Now, however, is not the time she will enter into eternal rest, but it could be as soon as later today or tomorrow. Presently, she is choosing to live life to her fullest, which includes fulfilling her purpose here on earth. Writing. Her message is not to be held captive by your past or a slave to your future. But to break free of the bondage of self. Born as a child of Christ, April 6, 2021, fifty years and sixty-two days following her first breath. Her earthly parents, who adored her, Christened her at a young age, but then set her off into the broken world so she could crash and burn. Most of Karen's life is a blur. Not from activity, just a blur due to actively indulging in a favorite past time of alcohol abuse. Once she saw clearly she started to create new memories for others to remember her by and to improve her legacy. Karen's life is shaped by God's cast of characters. Each and every person in her life play a very important role. For that reason she would like to thank each and every person she has ever met or has crossed paths with. It was during a time just past her rebirth, when surrounded by a bunch of misfits, Karen started to grow. She learned from these beautiful, flawed humans what it is to embrace your imperfections, offering unconditional love and compassion to others. She is most grateful for these people. Shortly after turning fifty Karen stopped aging, often mistaken for one of her own daughters, which confused many and further inflated her ego. Her aging knees didn't get the memo so she had to implement a new exercise regimen. She stopped running from her past and started to pace herself into her future. Karen could be spotted doing the downward dog or on a bad day simply doing the mad cat. Finally, she fully surrendered as a warrior. Karen's family was her life. The wife of Jeffrey, whose reputation precedes him, she did her best to bring her loved ones down with her after she fell. Now she strives to lift up others, offering a hand for those who find themselves in their own pit of despair. Another failure is forgetting to place Christ front and center. Only a selfish mother would put her children first. She encourages her daughters to have a receptive heart and they too can have the gift of peace. She spent her time divided, overlooking the well-manicured greens of a golf course in Florida and the calming waters of the Assawoman Bay. But upon her death she will be found in Paradise. Karen really enjoys living. Her only regret not knowing she would need to surrender her old self to really start living. She was not courageous enough to make the necessary changes so God decided to do it for her. She wasted many good years. But will not let any lost years go to waste, but rather be used as an example to others on how "we" can decide to move forward after we fall. Her greatest accomplishment is achieving a Peace that surpasses all understanding. ~ Karen Esbenshade
__________ Obituary
Substack friends, I challenge each of you to express yourself freely by writing your obituary.
Tips for writing an obituary.
How do you want others to remember you?
Capture your personality
Keep it positive
Have you experienced a traumatic event and made it through the other side?
Is there something special that shouldn’t be forgotten?
Are there positive influences in your life that should receive recognition?
Nobody likes to consider their own demise, but one thing is for certain we all die. Death is a part of living and the way we choose to live determines how we exit this world.
There is no time like today so get to it. Write your obituary and make sure to tag me,
. Just remember you are the author of your story.Journaling Prompts
The first week of each month I will introduce a journaling prompt to encourage healing through creative writing. As an introverted writer I am looking for a way to get out of myself and learn more about each of you.
Thanks for being so open about Christ in this!
this just caused me to stop what I was doing and write about my father's eulogy.