Why I Love to Read Obituaries

: I read obituaries. Usually NY Times ones. Not because I’m morose. Nor because I have a death wish. Quite the opposite, actually. I just relish — no, make that unabashedly love, seeing how the life of truly quality human beings is articulated, chronicled, and summarized. Someone, be it man or woman lived, loved, laughed, cried, worked, and in the case of some (but certainly not most) of the obituaries, that person did something prominent in that privileged time they lived on this earth. When I read one that particularly moves me— I immediately shift my thinking to a question: I wonder how many of us (myself included) can actually be someone whose life mirrors those penetrating words that moved me. I immediately inventory all the people I’ve known, met, observed, or experienced — even if just in momentary passing — who absolutely DO (or if they’ve passed — who DID) mirror those attributes. I also reflect on people I’ve known who personified the exact polar opposite. Usually, these tend to be people who are selfish, superficial, lacking civility, humility, or any deep regard for humanity. Then I perform a cold, brutal self-assessment to see if I manifest many (or any) of those same qualities. If I find gaps, I immediately work to improve my character and concentrate far more respectful attention on my interpersonal conduct. I wrote to you a while ago when I read an obituary about a famous actress whose professional accomplishments were profound. But the last sentence of that obituary is what grabbed me. It read… “She was a mammoth human being.” That led me to question exactly what kind of human being I had become. Loads of serious soul-searching and self-reality-checking followed. Today I read another one that moved me. Actor Dabney Coleman died. Here’s the part that stopped me reading — in my tracks… He…. Crafted his time here on earth with a curious mind, a generous heart, and a soul on fire with passion, desire, and humor that tickled the funny bone of humanity. As he lived, he moved through this final act of his life with elegance, excellence, and mastery. In conclusion, I ask you... Do you move through your precious life on this Earth with... elegance, excellence, and mastery? Do YOU have a curious mind, a generous heart, and a soul on fire with passion, desire, and humor that tickles the funny bone of humanity? Think about it. By the way, the New York Times published two or three book compilations of their best obituaries. But all you really need to do is sit down with an open mind and a commitment to self-awareness and read any Sunday obituaries in any major paper. The fact here is to recognize that every man or woman, girl or boy who lived — had a story. The question for you to reflect on might be... will my story be one I’ll be proud to have anyone tell? The answer truly lies in your hands! Jay [Unsubscribe]( The Abraham Group 24050 Madison St., #214 Torrance, California 90505 United States