As a rabbi, I officiate at many funerals. This is what I have learned:
If you want the answer to the question, “What is my purpose or what should I be doing?” live your life backwards from the moment of your funeral. This is what I mean: Decide what you want people to feel, think, and say about you at your funeral. Ask yourself: How do I want to be remembered?
When I first really asked myself this question, something surprising came up.
I had this overwhelming feeling that I wanted my children to remember me as brave.
Spiritual bravery is a core value to me and I wanted it to be their inheritance from me. I began to think about what I would need to do and show to give them this truth in the story about their mother.
How do you want to be remembered? What qualities do you want your children or grandchildren, friends, community and world to hold about you? Consider taking a piece of paper and just letting the words come to you.
Ask yourself: How do I want to be remembered? Then, live your life backwards.
And may your life be long and loving!
