top of page
  • Writer's pictureDawn Robinson-Walsh

What would they say in my eulogy?


Reading the posts of a young woman on Twitter who questioned what would be said about her in a eulogy set my mind thinking.


Shop until you drop - how memorable is that?


The person in question seems to have a good (well-paid, glamorous) job, her own flat, and a dog. What she was craving was rather fairy tale, a 'love of her life' (does this exist?) and rather more standard, a husband and children, just as she has been told she should.


Her social media posts present an image of a self-obsessed, well-presented and probably lovely young woman, mainly interested in clothes, make-up, decor and 'influencing'. In short, consumerism, which is a fairly boring topic even delivered by the loveliest of people.


In previous blog posts she has bemoaned not having time for friends. Now she is questioning the empty vacuum within her very existence.


It strikes me as a danger of our social media rich society that we can be all about image and not about authenticity. We have online friends rather than making time for real ones.


We say what we think others wish to hear, we present the self we want others to see.


The young woman in question wouldn't be seen dead showing her fat bits, her wet hair or a face sans make-up. Understandably, we all want to present our best side, but what if that side is all about fashion and shopping? How do you connect with others if you spend all your time showing the world how your mustard trousers match with your black heeled shoes?


At the end of the day, who cares? As she asks: what difference have I really made? Nothing.


Motherhood/family


So, how can people actually make a difference? I wish I had the answer. Certainly, we have to accept that most of us will not make a difference on a global scale. We cannot all be Mother Teresa. One of her inspiring quotes was as follows and there are worse things to try:


Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier.


A new watch or a lipstick will bring only transient joy.


It seems that trying to do something positive for those close to you (and often inadvertently the world) is the way to go. Smile, be friendly, take a real interest in others, rather than simply giving them your 'best side'. Do things for the community, be it litter picking, beach cleaning, or writing a hyperlocal, news blog. Or just listen to children, the vulnerable, the elderly, the unhappy. Really listen.


Think how you can live your best life - think about waste, what you need, what you buy, and how to enhance the planet rather than deplete it.


When we say look at me: my clothes, my hair, my face, my car, my house or even my dog, then the viewer realises pretty quickly that there is not much to see. Interest-span of the average human confronted with nothing of substance is probably minutes at most.


The answer seems to be to focus on something bigger than ourselves; only then do we become part of whole, and have a part to play.


'Importance' is relative but doing your bit, whatever that may be, is often enough to make you feel happier.


Teaching makes a difference





13 views0 comments

Recent Posts

See All
bottom of page