Lance Is Not Dead
I’ve long felt that when I die, it’ll be the best day of my life. On that day, you see, I believe that I’ll finally get to shed this body, this temporary “tent” … and my spirit will be free to party it up with Jesus. Sure, I know that mourning and all of that is a natural thing, especially when you miss someone … but I don’t want it to get out of hand when I die. I mean … people who know me well should know by then that it’s a time for celebration, a time to come together and rejoice because of the freedom I’ve found!
So here’s the deal … I’d like to start planning this now. Morbid? Maybe. But what better time is there to really reach out and touch some hearts than at my own funeral? That’s some real leverage, yo … what a platform. It’s worth being ready.
The current idea is to lay down a challenge … I want to be cremated and have my ashes spread on 100 (or so) different remote places around the globe by my friends and family. The pyramids, Antarctica, the Sahara … you name it, I want to give the people who are closest to me the opportunity (and requirement) to travel to these places.
Why? Well, I want what’s left of my mortal flesh to serve an eternal purpose … connecting people I care about with the God I am finally partying with face-to-face. I want them to experience how big the world is, to see God’s magnificent creation and to be humbled and inspired by something bigger than themselves. Isn’t that way better than paying to let my corpse just rot in the ground? I sure think so.
All of the details, including my story and the reasoning behind this challenge, would be compiled on a website (maybe lanceisnotdead.com). Then, as people complete the trips (which could take many many years), they would have to document their journeys, checking places off of the list and posting stories, photos, and videos online for the world to see.
The idea is really in its infancy … I’m not exactly sure how it would all be implemented, and it might evolve over time. But I’ve already contacted a really talented designer and started thinking about how to approach it all. Sure, there’s no rush (at least, I don’t think so) … but it seems to me that if people get confused and saddened by my death, I really must’ve let them misunderstand my life too!
June 24th, 2008 at 3:49 am EST
Did you ever get that motorcycle you were talking about?
June 24th, 2008 at 8:24 am EST
you never fail to surprise me with your ideas. in a good way.
June 24th, 2008 at 8:42 am EST
All nihilities
June 24th, 2008 at 10:44 am EST
if you are paying for the travel from your estate, SIGN ME UP!
June 24th, 2008 at 11:13 am EST
It’s working the school system that gets to him. It has the effect of working for someone like Bill Gates… Or playing football for the Detroit Lions come to think of it…
June 24th, 2008 at 12:11 pm EST
That’s awesome…love the idea!
June 24th, 2008 at 2:57 pm EST
“Or playing football for the Detroit Lions come to think of it…”-Nathanial
As a Michigander I should be offended. But really, if I had to play for the Lions I would want to commit suicide as well. But I don’t think that’s the motive for spraying his ashes everywhere. Although, it could be a close second.
June 24th, 2008 at 3:47 pm EST
Vivian, I’m not sure that I understand … are you saying that the idea is nihilistic, that it’s without without objective meaning, reality, or purpose? Because it seems to me that it’s quite the opposite.
After pondering this a little more and reading the comments, however, I am starting to get the feeling that this idea seems pretty narcissistic. Perhaps this needs some re-thought and revision to better reflect the desire my heart has. Any ideas?
June 24th, 2008 at 4:19 pm EST
Maybe when they get to each location, they also have to physically use (as opposed to just donating/writing a check) some money from your estate to help somebody in some noble/spiritual way and document it for the betterment/inspiration of the recipient, others who read about it, and themselves?
June 24th, 2008 at 9:39 pm EST
I’d like to be the guy who gets to launch your ashes into space! If all I have to do is aim a mini-urn with my 3 grams of Lance-dust in zero-g and jettison you towards Pluto, count me in! Of course, I’ll probably be a very an old man by then and unfit for space travel. Better start building an urn holder in a model rocket as a plan B…
June 25th, 2008 at 3:32 pm EST
Good lands Matthew. You know I want to be cremated too. Didn’t realize you’d been thinking of the fun you were going to have with the ashes… funny, but creepy. Great to talk to you, via comments on Lance’s website… (I think we need a date night.)
June 27th, 2008 at 8:22 am EST
Hello, Lance . . . I teach graduate level courses on death & dying . . . a very special student sent me to your blog . . . . I’m impressed! For a young man who is about half my age, you have quite a bit of wisdom . . . keep posting your thoughts . . . and planning your funeral. Have you written your obituary yet? Doing so can be an amazing goal-setting experience. Write it as if you have died at the age of 100 . . . . what will you have accomplished in your life? how will you want to be remembered – books written? non-profit organizations begun? lives of friends and family members you have touched?
Regarding narcissism . . . . death, like birth, is a narcissistic experience. We must ultimately complete these tasks alone, although we have assistance on both sides of these transitions, and . . . . both experiences are holistic . . . embracing physical and spiritual elements. Unless one is Buddhist or Eckist, birth and death are accomplished as first-time experiences . . . we learn as we go.
Thank you for an enjoyable and insightful posting!
P.S. – Tops on my “bucket list” is a ride in the space shuttle. I want to see the earth from up there . . . ticket prices are coming down . . . last I heard, I can get a ride for $200,000.
June 27th, 2008 at 9:39 am EST
I would argue that even the Buddhist and Eckist experience birth and death as first time experiences, only they will be surprised to find out their death is a first (and only) time experience when they get to the other side and fall on their face in front of their Creator.
An entire graduate level course on death and dying? Intriguing… Sounds way more exciting and interesting than some of the courses I have been taking for my MBA. (I find death to be an EXCITING topic. I CAN’T WAIT for mine to happen!)
As a side note, I had never heard of an Eckist before I read the above. Talk about weird science!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eckankar