Put yourself in the future and think about the past. Ask “Did I live? Did I love? Did I matter?” Now go make it so!
How would you live today if you were planning for what people would say about you at your funeral?
If you are struggling with a lack of purpose or reason for living, this is a very therapeutic question. Think of yourself at a very old age, near the end of your life, sitting with all of your loved ones surrounding you. Imagine there are many of them in the room–children, grandchildren, friends, distant relatives–and you are asking them these questions: Did I live? Did I love? Did I matter?
Write your own story here. Imagine your loved ones answering these questions. We are telling you about your life and how you impacted our lives, the difference you made. We are reminding you of your accomplishments and recalling funny facts about things you did or places you went. We are going to miss you terribly when you are gone and we are telling you all the reasons why this is so.
This shouldn’t be a quick mental exercise, a passing thought. You should really take the time to craft this story with as much detail as you can imagine. You should even write it down so you can go back to read and edit it later.
After you’ve crafted the story of your life, from the perspective of old-age looking back through the years, you now have in your brain and in your hands a road map for how to go about planning and living the rest of your life! You now have a purpose and reason for living.
To quote the band Switchfoot, “This is your life. Are you who you want to be?” Write the story of your life and try to live it out. Edit as you go and grow, live and learn. I know that your life is not going to turn out just like the story you’ve written; in fact, it may not turn out to be anything like it. It may be better!
This is one of my daily “LifeThoughts” posts. If you enjoyed this, or any of my other posts, I’d be honored if you’d share it with your friends and followers!
Do you agree or disagree with what I’ve written? I’d love to hear your comments!
Hi Bruce
My son sent me your link. Great site, and I’ve subscribed.
Cheers
Colin
I’m honored that he shared and you came by for a visit!
Thank you,
Bruce
OMG, this is so profound and very relevant to me right now. When this year started, this is how I thought I would start living my life! This has had a significant impact in my life as I now know the steps I ought to take. It actually makes everyday an adventure cause there’s no time to just sit and wonder what u gonna do with ur life. Thank u for this
You are very welcome, Ntaoleng! I’m glad it helped you find more clarity and purpose for your daily living! Thanks for letting me know. I really do appreciate hearing from my readers!
Blessings!
Bruce
What a wonderful thought provoking post. I had this on my mind today, as a matter of fact.
I have lost my youngest sister and my one and only oldest brother 3 years ago and only 6 months apart.
My father has been in the hospital now for over 30 days and mom and I are struggling with “life” answers.
Leaving a legacy weighs heavy this day. Thank you so much Bruce, I will head your thought process.
Kim, I’m so very sorry for your losses and for what your dad is going through. These are difficult days, for sure. I’m very glad to hear that my words have been helpful in giving you a different perspective, because that’s what we need. Often, in times of crisis, we want or demand answers or we try to force an answer when it doesn’t fit or even exist. What we need most in these times is a perspective that allows us to grieve appropriately yet know there’s more life out there waiting for us.
Be well, Kim. Blessings to you, your mom and dad!
Bruce
Thank you for your kind words Bruce.
Very inspiring,especially for people struggling for a purpose of living. Thanks,I really enjoyed it.
Bruce,
Thank you for your continued good thoughts.
I read each day.
Jerrie
I appreciate your very thoughtful posts. Considering our legacy is both a motivator and a reminder that we need to live our life with focus and purpose.
I apprecaite your present in my life,you always motivate me,inspired me,give me hope in everything I’m diong thanks bruce you worth it
Hi Bruce, thanks for this wonderful and encouraging post! Your words are very helpful and much appreciated! Keep doing what you are doing!! I know that you are making a difference in this world!
Thanks, Bruce. When Switchfoot’s “This Is Your Life” first came out, it really caused me to change direction. Your article makes me think I need to write the rest of my story with the end in mind. Thanks for helping me see it this way.
P.S. I was in the front row at Switchfoot’s October 4 show at Spring Arbor University. Those boys rock!
Dave, thank you for your comment! The present moments are always more significant when we live with the end in mind! I love Switchfoot!
Thanks,
Bruce
In the past year, I’ve discovered my purpose. I’ve started a blog to tell the story of the 3 years spent in the U.S. Army’s Prison, Ft. Leavenworth, sharing the message that we do not have to be defined by our past and that God can use our kind of mess for good. It’s been an interesting year watching God use my story to reach people. I hope to have the book written by the end of the year.
http://www.dilemmamike.com/the-fort-leavenworth-story
I lI’ve Switch foot and your thoughts. I don’t want to wait until I get older or my funeral. I am most interested in what God thinks of me and if when people see me, they see God. I am far from perfect, and. My kids have seen me fall…but just like anybody that truly loves, they are proud of me.
I loves that because it made me think about what people will say about me when I die, I would hope that everyone will say how much they enjoyed being around me because I always made them feel better about themselves
I’ve always enjoyed being around lots of people!
I was hanging out yesterday with a friend when suddenly I wanted to ask him to describe my character for me, the good and bad things about who I am but did not. I always think about age and how it’d feel like to be 60 or 70 year old, the changes that are going to be in our lives either on a personal or global level, so I think it’s worth it and I will write a post hopefully tonight. Thank you for sharing such inspiring ideas, have a great weekend. 🙂
Essential things to think about. We must have a very clear mind to choose what are our true values or what do we stand for, to be able to answer these questions. Thank you Bruce for such inspiring article.
This is what I really needed to hear this morning. Thank you for all of the work you do to
help others.
Thank you for a wonderful “Life Thought”. How ironic that I would read this tonight…. I felt over the past two weeks that I’ve kind of lost direction of where I belong and where my career, as well as personal life has taken me. Lots of things and most of the things I had a control over… wrong choices, circumstances or maybe even just been stubborn. But one thought crossed my mind as I read this….. Life is what we make it, no matter how young or old, we must and have to take control for what still lies ahead. the power is in our hands to change it, as long as the GRACE OF GOD is with us.
Great reading. Deep, simple and thoughtful. Thanks Bruce
I really appreciate you letting me know what I need. Dear Mr Bruce I love your intensive deep thinking and purposeful writing skill.
I subscribe.