Tuesday, April 12, 2005

What is your Epitaph?

Greetings on a wonderful bright and fresh English Spring morning!

I have been thinking about what epitaph I would want.

I came across the following from my great Australian friend Brian Galbraith. I hope it will make you smile.

"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, thoroughly used, totally worn out and loudly proclaiming …....

"F*#@, what a trip!"



I would love my own epitaph to read something like this;

"He always listened and never judged (P.S. He never grew up!)"

What would you like as your Epitaph?

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

I think the quote from Brian G. is the best. otherwise I hope I never need one.

Trevor Gay said...

That's the best possible answer my good friend!

Anonymous said...

Mine is this:

I had fun!

Trevor Gay said...

Great one Felix

Anonymous said...

Mine: I was on the life rollercoast. It was hecka good ride !!

Trevor Gay said...

Like it Peter

Anonymous said...

Greetings from across the Atlantic!

You've posed a very thought-provoking question. As a lover of pithy quotes, and one who thinks we should all strive each day to become our best selves, I would probably choose Socrates quote that "An unexamined life is not worth living."

As to your epitaph,"He always listened and never judged (P.S. He never grew up!)" It reminds me of a favorite saying: Silent and listen are spelled with the same letters! I do not know who to attribute this to, but I like it!

I'm new to your blog and, though I tried to register, I became exasperated trying to find an (unused)user name, so I just logged on as "other."

Because I'm new, I don't know whether you've ever posed a blog question as to what brings one happiness. I think it would be a great segway following the epitaph query.

Blessings and peace,
Susan

Trevor Gay said...

Thank you Susan - that is a great comment.

I like the 'listen and silent' quote -I have never come across that.

What brings one happiness is a great question - you have posed the question - let us see if anyone responds.

I have written to Blogger Support about the difficulty of posting comments - my permissions are set for anyone to post a comment but I hope Blogger support can make it easier for people - I would not like to think people are finding it difficult to place comments - that defeats the object of creating a conversation subject of course.

Thank you for pointing it out - look forward to more comments

Warm regards


Trevor

Anonymous said...

We often make the mistake of thinking that happiness is tied to accomplishment. I am as guilty as the next in that regard. The wise recognize that happiness is measured not in accomplishments, but in the number of friends. happiness is having friends and true happiness is having ones to love and to be loved in return.

AJ Hoge said...

Socrates
Great one Susan. But as one who is often guilty of too much examination, I also like the balancing flip side to Socrates' quote:

"An unlived life is not worth examining"

.....

Anonymous said...

Wow, rocky and aj, you both sound very evolved!

Rocky, I must say you hit the "root of the root" as e.e. cummings would say! Yep,(can you tell I'm American?)family and friends are what bring our lives their richness and worthness(such a word?).

I find it very interesting that all the current psychobabble on happiness has expounded upon this
most fundamental human trait. The pendulum seems to finally be swinging back again to connectedness and community! People should always come first.

Sometime ago, I came across a poignant statement that so brilliantly and succinctly presents this truth:

"Unless we can hear each other singing and crying, unless we can comfort each other's failures and cheer each other's victories, we are missing out on the best that life has to offer. The only real action takes place on the bridge between people."

Knocks your socks off, doesn't it?


Aj/skald, you hit the "nail on the head" too! I must of been poured from the same mold as you because I am guilty of over-analyzing and I can drive myself crazy. I know of no other way to be! I think it gives me my empathic nature and I think it's what people like the most about me.

But, I do tone it down with my sense of humor. So saying that, I might also simply put on my epitaph: Oh, shit, I died!

Peace and joy,
Susan

Trevor Gay said...

Paralysis through analysis was one of my more annoying traits when I was younger

Nowadays at 52 years of age - I still tend to be mildly obsessional about some things important to me such as communication - I am much more inclined to let things flow and realise that actually it is best to let go of things and 'go with the flow.'


Somehow the key seems to be keeping an open mind and definitely DON'T JUDGE.

Great discussion folks - thanks for your great insights

Trevor