etch on your epitaph

The news of the untimely demise of pop icon Michael Jackson jolted the world and triggered a cyberspace traffic jam. In many parts of the globe, vigils were held by his loyal followers and even those who suddenly became his fans.

The impact he made on the music industry and the lives of many people cannot be under estimated - he broke racial barriers, paved the way for modern pop music, and made great humanitarian contributions. The unstoppable juggernaut made unparralleled influence in the lives of the old and young generations worldwide.

Although I like a few of his songs, I am not really an "MJ fanatic", but his death made me pause and ponder about the ultimate meaning of life. What is the real meaning of our existence? Definitely, no one, not even the so called "evils trapped in a human body" were brought to this world for nothing - there is always a purpose for everyone and everything.

For his part, MJ declared his life's purpose: "Music has been my outlet, my gift to all of the lovers in this world. Through it, my music, I know I will live forever." What is mine? I never really had the chance to seriously ponder what is my life purpose, perhaps for the simple reason that I really didn't care much about it.
Maybe as a person comes to age, the idea of life's purpose crosses his mind once in a while. I don't want to think that this is part of mid-life crisis, but, if it is, then I think it is really worth everyone in this age some time.

Whether we consider mulling over our life's purpose or not, one thing is certain - we don't live in this earth forever. Fame and fortune could not stop the grim Ripper from taking away our lives.

What really matters in the end is not our wealth, our fame, positions, titles and social status but our relationship with our Creator and our fellowmen!

When we leave this world, what would be etched in our epitaphs?

This reminds me of the words of Fr. Alfred Delp, renowned Jesuit Priest, who was executed for his resistance to the Nazi regime in Germany who said:
"When through one man, a little more love and goodness, a little more light and truth comes into the world, then that man's life has had meaning"