We see the signs everywhere. We put them on our walls. We make them our Facebook backgrounds. But what does it really mean to Live, Laugh, and Love? On yesterday, I attended a homegoing service of a Soror and this was the mantra of her service. In listening to the friends and loved ones speak of her, the songs sang, the scriptures read, it all spoke to the life she lead. It was not a sad occasion. Yes we shed tears, wiped our eyes and blew our noses, but they were tears of pure joy. The kind of joy that you read about but rarely experience. Joy in knowing that this soul lived such a life that exemplifies who we are all called to be. She didn’t just post the words on the walls of her home, she LIVED them. And when it was time to go home, she went peacefully into that good night with a spirit of joy. This left such an impression on me that I keep thinking about it. How does one Live, Laugh and Love? What does it really mean? Of course, being in the age of Google that we are, I looked it up and here’s what I found.
“The real source of "Live, Laugh, Love" is Bessie Anderson Stanley's 1904 poem, "Success." Stanley originally submitted the work in the form of an essay for a contest held by Brown Book magazine that asked entrants to define success. You'll likely recognize more of the contest-winning piece, but our "Live, Laugh, Love" inspiration can be found in the first line:
He achieved success who has lived well, laughed often, and loved much; Who has enjoyed the trust of pure women, the respect of intelligent men and the love of little children; Who has filled his niche and accomplished his task; Who has never lacked appreciation of Earth’s beauty or failed to express it; Who has left the world better than he found it, Whether an improved poppy, a perfect poem, or a rescued soul; Who has always looked for the bet in others and given them the best he had; Whose life was an inspiration; Whose memory a benediction.”
I doubt if we were asked to define success today, this would be our description. And it is because of the definition of success in our minds, that we are often broken, angry, stressed, depressed, and sick. Our definition of success is all off. We daily push ourselves to accomplish something that does not exist, that does not really matter at the end of the day. When we come to the end of this world’s life, will those left behind be able to say that we truly Lived, Laughed and Loved?
Happy Sunday Saints!