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Eulogy

I mentioned before that I am working through a self-development course. The latest exercise is an idea from Steven Covey’s ‘seven habits of highly effective people’. It’s the ‘start with the end in mind’ habit. You have to write your own obituary, which is a newspaper article summarising your life when you have gone. I decided to write a Eulogy instead. A eulogy is a speech that is delivered at your funeral summarising your life.

I thought it would be useful to share with you. 

Paul Alan Davy was born on the 3rd of September 1980. He died a couple of weeks ago on the 3rd September 2082. It was his 102nd birthday and he had just completed his 53rd skydive. 

The story goes, for the first 50 years of his life, he was afraid of heights. So he decided to face this fear. On his 50th birthday, he did a skydive. The thrill, excitement and relief of punching through that wall of fear was profound. Paul decided to do a skydive on his birthday every year. 

Some of you may know Paul’s immediate family 

Paul’s wife Vicky was equally as nuts. She died almost 6 years ago at the age of 98 shortly after completing the New York marathon. They will be joined again in heaven. We will be joining their ashes and they will be spread around the world at their favourite places. On the beaches of Greece. Canals of Venice. Under the cherry blossom trees of Japan. The Vineyards of France. Under their favourite bench in the Yorkshire Dales. 

Survived by his 3 sons Rowan, Finn and Ellis. His 9 grandchildren, and his 19 great-grandchildren. 

He would be happy to know he had underestimated the number of people who would be attending today. I hope those of you stood at the back, in the corridor and outside can hear me. 

Some will know Paul from his time at Toastmasters 

Paul was a Toastmaster for almost 70 years. Starting at a club in Leeds. He achieved the highest award of DTM quite some time ago. He helped set up more than 20 Toastmasters clubs. While he moved high up in the Toastmaster ranks, he always said the most important part of Toastmasters happened in the club. The Toastmasters club helps people find their inner voice. People can then feel empowered to go out and make a positive impact on the world. Toastmasters is one of the few places that help train men and women in honest constructive thinking. Frank concise speaking Analytical helpful critical listening. As such, they become guardians of the right of free men and women to think and speak. 

Some of you may know Paul through Martial Arts 

Paul studied in various martial arts during his time. He got to travel and visit different parts of the world. He studied Taekwondo, Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, Brazillian Jiu-Jitsu, Wrestling, Hapkido, Boxing, Thai boxing to name but a few. He would enjoy taking on the biggest, strongest and fastest fighters in the club. His main focus, however, was to build confidence in people. Especially those who needed to build their assertiveness with others. 

Some of you may know Paul through his main work, his calling. 

After a spell in finance as an accountant for about 15 years, Paul found his calling. He believed in empowerment. Helping people overcome fear and self-doubt so that they may take control of lives. Live a life of their own choosing. That they may fully express themselves. 

He was a deep and slow thinker. He wouldn’t be in a hurry to make rash decisions or form an opinion unless he had thought about it. 

He wrote 6 books, coauthored countless journals, articles, podcasts. He coached and mentored others, helping them move forward in their lives. He gave speeches and ran courses, sharing what he learned with others in his own open, honest, down to other and direct style for the benefit of others.  

Paul loved his life 

He was passionate about his work 

He enjoyed spending time with his friends and family. 

He loved exploring his interests and hobbies. 

He was full of energy, vitality and savoured each and every day. 

He lived his life this way to show us what was possible. In the hope, we would have the courage to live our lives the way we wanted to. 

I am sure Paul would hope that you will stay for a little while after this ceremony. Not to mourn him. But to share your stories. To celebrate his life and the good he shared with you all. 

I hope this gives you food for thought.

If you had to write your own obituary or eulogy, what would you want to be said?

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