Last week, C and I went snowshoe-ing in a nearby cemetery. I love cemeteries, although it is less of a reflective experience when you're with a 3 year-old than if it were just me and my journal. But I still looked around and took note of a few interesting things.
One epitaph felt like a punch in the gut. I read it, and my first thought was, I would never want my life to be summarized that way.
I did my duty in life.
Isn't that tragic!?!?
If, at the end of my life that is the best thing that I can say... I will consider myself a failure.
One epitaph felt like a punch in the gut. I read it, and my first thought was, I would never want my life to be summarized that way.
I did my duty in life.
Isn't that tragic!?!?
If, at the end of my life that is the best thing that I can say... I will consider myself a failure.
I think Queen Elizabeth II would be happy with this as part of her epitaph - that's whats kept her such a good queen all these years. Her commitment to her duty.
ReplyDeleteJust a thought. If you wake up as Kate Middleton by chance, you'll know to reconsider your position.
Isn't our duty to love God and enjoy Him forever? Or to love God and love people? If that's our duty then I hope and pray that someone says that about me in the end.
ReplyDeleteI guess it all depends on the definition and understanding of duty.
You both have quite good criticisms...
ReplyDeleteI think that what you both say is true - duty is a part of our lives, and sometimes a good part of life.
But at the end of my life, if the biggest part of my life has been lived in doing my duty - or rather, that if "doing my duty" never births emotions or thoughts or joy that is BIGGER than the duty... I will be very sad.