Photo courtesy of Leanna Vite Photography.
Thanks Leanna!
I think more than ever I have been in an internal conflict about purpose; what I should be doing, what I’m meant to be doing, and what I want to be doing. Part of it is age , and part of it is post-cancer putting an exclamation point on time. The average lifespan for females in Michigan varies from 77-80 years of age depending on which website you refer to, which means my life is more than half over. Sounds grim but the one thing we cannot change is that we all die at some point; and although many of us are committed to things which help us feel younger and look younger, we don’t actually get any younger. Anyhow, I listened to a great talk by a New York Times columnist and the question he posed was, ‘Should you live your resume’ or your eulogy?’ WHOA. What a question. As Americans, or maybe I’m just speaking for myself, we spend a whole lot of time working on our resume’ and making sure it looks good for the next job, employer, promotion, or even the public, but what do we want ‘listed’ in our eulogy? ‘She was in management’, ‘she got promoted quickly’, ‘she won president’s club several times’….I say no. We want (or at least I want), people to say I lived and I loved, I helped, and was a joy to have around, I made people feel things, and was a positive presence…
Don’t let making a living prevent you from making a life~John Wooden
Here’s the conundrum…we all need to make a living, but at what price? Do we push ourselves to continue rising up the ladder, do we stay in a career because our resume’ shows we are good at it yet everyday wonder why we’re doing that very thing in the first place? A few blogs ago I talked about doing something you love or are passionate about every single day, even if it’s something small…that’s a start. It reminds you of who you are and who you are made to be. I guess I’m a bit confused (and probably really confusing to you), right now. My struggle is definitely not the resume’ and trying to achieve mega success by worldly standards, mine is actually wondering if passion and work can actually merge somehow or if the resume’ will continue to consume the passion bit by bit; what is written on paper vs. what is imprinted on your heart. Is it resume’ or eulogy? Eternal success in a finite world or eternal value, leaving a legacy? Can it be both?
Our days are numbered. One of the primary goals in our lives should be to prepare for our last day. The legacy we leave is not just in our possessions, but in the quality of our lives. What preparations should we be making now? The greatest waste in all of our earth, which cannot be recycled or reclaimed, is our waste of the time that God has given us each day.~Billy Graham
Today I wear Urban Decay Pulp Fiction Revolution lipstick in Mrs. Mia Wallace. I know, I know, I did UD last time but I had to write about this one. So, you know I love the Urban Decay lipsticks but this one is a deep red. It has been 20 years since the movie Pulp Fiction came out, I don’t remember much about the movie except for the dance scene with John Travolta, but I do remember the lipstick on the black haired Uma Thurman. This is a limited edition and it’s smokin’ hot. Live passionately! Cheers!
Anna's Lipstick Journey 
Wow Anna this really challenged me starting with today! Thank you!
Thanks Leanna! The question really made me think when I heard it…very challenging!
As I’ve aged, very quickly I might add, it has become real to me that what I’ve done or where I’ve been what I’ve owned or what I’ve given away doesn’t mean anything. Nothing. What matters, what lasts is who I’ve touched. Who will smile or giggle at my funeral because they knew me and who will cry because they’ll miss me and will that be the same person? That’s what matters in my life. Resume schmesume….it’s about WHO you are and WHO you touch.
Loved this introspect from you.
Thanks Jo. It was difficult to put on paper what my mind was (is) thinking and it seems some interpreted meaning their own way…that’s the beauty of the written word I guess
I reckon if you find something you love doing, his it can help the world will come next. I hope you find what you are looking for. And by the way, beautiful picture!
Thanks Catherine! It’s hard to explain what’s in my head. I’ve never been about the resume’ but I have no choice in regards to working because I’m a single mom. I’ve been blessed with a great career but….