"It is far easier to write an acceptable obituary for another than to write one for oneself."

Writing about someone else’s life is a lot simpler than reflecting on our own. Think about it. When we're tasked with writing an obituary for another person, we have a certain distance. We can look at their life like a story with a beginning, a middle, and an end. Their achievements, their quirks, the things that made them unique — they become clear, almost like puzzle pieces falling into place. We can see their life as a whole, from the outside.

But when it comes to imagining our own obituary? That’s a different ballgame. Suddenly, we’re faced with our own mortality, trying to sum up our entire existence in a few paragraphs. It’s daunting, to say the least. We’re too close to our own lives, too entangled in the everyday ups and downs to see the bigger picture. It’s tough to be objective about ourselves — we’re our own harshest critics.

This quote makes me think of a time when I had to write an obituary for my grandmother. It wasn't easy, but it was doable. I could list her accomplishments, her kindness, the way she made holidays special. The words flowed because I could see her life in its entirety. But then, we had an exercise in a writing class where we had to draft our own obituaries. Talk about a challenge. How do you condense your mess of experiences, dreams, failures, and successes into something coherent and meaningful?

Now, let’s bring this into a real-world scenario. Imagine a CEO tasked with writing their retirement speech. They'd have no problem listing the company's growth, the milestones they hit, the big wins. But asking them to pen down their personal journey — their doubts, their fears, the moments they wanted to quit — that's where it gets tricky. The vulnerability required to honestly assess our own lives can be overwhelming.

So, how can we apply this wisdom? Start by taking small steps toward self-reflection. Ask yourself: What do you want to be remembered for? What values do you hold dear? Begin journaling these thoughts. Don’t worry about making it perfect. Just write. Over time, patterns will emerge, and you’ll start seeing your own life with a bit more clarity.

Here’s a relatable story. Picture Sarah, a high school teacher. She spends her days shaping young minds, often getting thank-you notes from students. One summer, she’s tasked with writing a farewell letter to a retiring colleague. She does it effortlessly, capturing their essence with warmth and admiration. Fast forward a few months, and Sarah is asked to write a personal statement for a teaching award nomination. She freezes. All the self-doubt floods in. She questions every word, every achievement. Sound familiar?

In a casual chat at a coffee shop, this concept might come up as we sip our lattes and talk about life’s uncertainties. We’d laugh at the irony of how we can be so kind and generous when describing others, yet so harsh and critical when it’s about ourselves. We’d share tips on being gentler with our self-assessments and maybe, just maybe, start seeing our lives with the same grace we afford others.

So next time you find yourself in a position where you need to reflect on your own life, remember: it’s okay if it’s hard. It’s normal. And with practice, you’ll get better at seeing the beauty in your own journey.