Discover your central theme in life - a eulogy exercise

Let this blog find you actively engaged in a meaningful life with a sense of deeper purpose in whatever you are doing! Recently I met many people who are questioning meaning & relevance in their life, their current work, whether they should continue what they are doing or follow something else. In search of this answer, I found a clue in a book that I am reading: “Prisoners of Our Thoughts: Viktor Frankl's Principles for Discovering Meaning in Life and Work” by Alex Pattakos. (Click here to read first few pages)
Here is a very simple and practical exercise mentioned in this book. It is called “Eulogy Exercise”. Eulogy Exercise Are you living and working in such a way that the last comments about you, especially from your family, friends, business associates, and customers / clients, are really what you want to have said? Imagine now that you have passed on and have been given the opportunity to write your own eulogy to be read at your funeral. Go ahead, fill in the blanks! We have gathered here today to say farewell to _____________ _______________. The world had a great need for someone who ________________________________________ and ___________________________ was the right person to fulfil this need. ________________ was most fulfilled when ________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________. I believe __________________________ was put on this earth to  __________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________. The world is a much better place because __________________ was here and we all miss her/him forever. This exercise has a profound effect. It may connect you to the central theme of your life. Do this exercise with a close friend. Include your achievements till date as well as those you will achieve in the future. Before starting this exercise you may declare: “Let my consciousness be transported to the time I pass on from this earth and speak through me now” This exercise might help you articulate some of the core themes of your life: what defines you and all that ONLY YOU are meant to bring forth in this world. Let me remind you again: You are unique!! Warm regards, Rohan

Treasure Your Uniqueness!!!

Let this mail find you appreciating your uniqueness & perfection in the way you are.

I remember watching and sharing a video with many friends & participants on: “Make up is not all”. It was a campaign by a company on “self-esteem fund: restoring self worth of your daughter”.

It showed a model’s make-up being done. Her picture was then photoshopped to show a picture perfect woman. “No wonder our perception of beauty is distorted”

Here is the 1 minute video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYhCn0jf46U). Or click on the video below:

 

A friend recently shared a 4 minute video. It is a speech by Jean Kilbourne: “Killing us softly”.

Click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWKXit_3rpQ#t=130 Or on the video below:

It is quite apt, touching & true. Our self-worth is shaped by media & advertisements. Women are most often presented in the media as picture perfect, leading to a lot of women feeling less than perfect. Jean talks about how this leads to violence against women. Her website (http://www.jeankilbourne.com)

Some striking comments she makes:

-    -  Cindy Crawford said: “I wish I looked like Cindy Crawford!!!”

-    -  Kate Winslet (about her picture on cover of GQ magazine) : “The alterations were made without my consent. I don’t look like that & I don’t desire to look like that. I can tell you that they have reduced the size of my legs by 1/3^rd!!!”

Time has come to appreciate our inner beauty and uniqueness. Let’s stop governing our view of self & others by projected perceptions!

May this mail inspire you to reconnect with how uniquely beautiful you are. I read this on another blog: “If you did not exist, there would be a hole in creation, a gap in history, something missing from the plan for humankind. Treasure your uniqueness. It is a gift given only to you. Enjoy it and share it!”

Warm regards,

Rohan