Staff Writer - Katrin Callender
We often wonder what people will remember about us even after death. Some wish they could be a fly on the wall at their own funeral or possess the ability to peer deeply into the hearts of attendees to determine who is genuine in their affection and who is thinking about how they will spend their inheritance. What we have been taught by the church, by the literary canon and by numerous other sources is that in death we reap the rewards of a life well lived. For the dead this may mean happiness or at least comfort in an existence beyond the grave. Every religion has its own take on what this will be like but they share the common idea that there are certain principles that must be followed in life before this can occur. Some of these principles articulate an ideal for the way we relate to one another.
Yet many of us would love to see a huge transformation in most of our interaction with our fellow man. We can attempt to be hermits, but it is a challenge. In fact, many of the persons who seem to withdraw from our reality may have either created an alternative in their minds or are communicating primarily using technology. Of these choices, the former may be worrisome because we can infer mental illness. But the act of creating or living in alternative realities may also speak to being invested in a world of fantasy, be it a game or television show or piece of literature, at its most innocent. The person who may lock himself in the home or office, and who refuses to receive visitors but is consumed with social networking, similarly draws concern. Neither of these is viewed as healthy. Ironically, some such individuals reach out to like-minded souls in their fantasy and virtual worlds, respectively.
Helping Hand Photo courtesy blogs.redcross.org.uk
We are by nature social beings. The trouble is finding people who will accept us as we are. We may wish to achieve greatness in several disciplines. While we may well have the tools to make this happen, there will always be people who are competing for the same title or award or celebrity. Whatever our pursuits, we must also develop the sort of reputation that compliments any other distinction we may acquire. The thing that I most want to be remembered for is my kindness to others. I work daily to ensure that this trait is blossoming and assess myself to see whether there are flaws to be found. It costs nothing to make a person feel valued. And I endeavor to live the sort of life that sees everyone I meet, knowing that I know their worth and the importance of their friendship.
