[October 1, 2023] I’ve occasionally written about the importance of attending funerals, so I won’t go into why except to note that there is a basic human morality that we are obligated to fulfill. Acknowledging those who have passed as an essential part of our life, family, or community requires your presence.
In my book 55 Rules for a Good Life, under Rule 31, I wrote about this morality and its necessity. I noted that there are inevitable tragedies in life. They are unavoidable. As free human beings, we have two primary choices in the face of tragedy. One is the nihilist approach, where nothing we do matters. Reject that approach. The other is your choice to be the most dependable person for others, to help settle the tragedy. Attend the funeral and be the one others can depend on. This way, we honor those who have passed and stand firm with their loved ones.
Tomorrow, I will attend the Catholic Mass and funeral for a dear friend and Veteran. He was a long-standing church member, a member of the Knights of Columbus, a regular in their choir, and involved in their popular Christmas bazaar. And, naturally, he was loved by church members and our Veterans alike. I will miss him dearly.
I remember the first funeral I attended as a young boy. Each time I salute a veteran in their passing, I think of my great-grandfather. He was a soldier in the Spanish-American War and served honorably. I’m fortunate to have details from his unit explaining what they accomplished. I did not attend his funeral voluntarily. My dad said, “You’re going to the funeral.” He was right in more ways than I could ever have imagined.
My friend was a big part of our lives and always will be part of us.
—————
Please read my books:
Reading this article today after experiencing 2 death of friends and my former pastor homecoming svc today. Showing respect to the family by attending the homegoing is important. If for some reason you can’t make it, a phone call or email, sympathy card will be fine. There what sympathy does. Ir takes action. Empathy does not take action,it says i understand.
I agree.
Gen. Satterfield gives us another piece of advice that I learned many years ago. I’m no prude or ‘traditionalist’ but I learned that the old ways of doing things more often than not, works out for the best. These new ways of living, often highly narcissistic, only makes us bitter and resentful. The new “me” is Victimhood. That is what they teach in school today. “You are a victim, so demand your rights.” Of course, the teachers and politicans are never specific about what ‘rights’ they are talking about, but “Rights.” These folks are being lead down a path of destruction and they don’t yet know it. Too bad.
well noted, the kid
i like ur style
Welcome, Samuel. I hope you enjoy my blog and this leadership forum.
Hi The Kid. Good points. The problem is that you will never convince those who have sucked in the propaganda. For them, its a religion and logic never works on them. Their oversimplified ideology (or ideologies) give an easy explanation for everything. And it tells them that they are morally superior to everyone else, if only they believe and reject others like us who tell them the truth. This is how it’s done in China, Russia., North Korea, Venezuela, and Cuba. How’s that working out?
Gen. Satterfield is the best and this article is just one of hundreds of examples where he is able to give spot-on advice quickly and succinctly. Thanks sir.
as it should be for all
Hi Jerome, good to see you back on Gen. Satterfield’s blog.
Gen. Satterfield, let us hope that our young folks learn well what was once common sense. Today, the young avoid anything that is “stressful” and that might me calling someone by the wrong pronoun. For them, death is non-existent because the world is all about them. Narcissists are now running the world. There are few American Patriots left but I will never give in to them because they are all Marxists at heart and we know where that leads.
PW, so very true. I for one stand with all American Patriots and with Gen. Satterfield too. Here is his article on him being a patriot and why.
https://www.theleadermaker.com/why-im-an-american-patriot/
Yes, a great article and one of the most popular on his website. I’d like to know what articles have the most visits FROM the beginning of his blog more than 10 years ago. I would love to read them. 😁
I agree and God Bless General Satterfield.
Gen. Satterfield is indeed the best. That is one of the main reasons we read his blog. But Gen. S grasps the classic, historically-proven methods of being a good person and a great man. Provide and protect. His articles are all about being a better person. I suggest you read, and all read, his latest book “55 Rules for a Good Life.” You will be amazed at the “rules” and how they can be followed simply and to make you a better person and a great leader. But, you have to follow the rules and know when to break the rules.
Thank you, Yusaf and I appreciate your loyalty to my blog.
Gen. Satterfield, thanks. Great advice.
New here to this blog. I am starting to actually learn something and be occassionally entertained like the articles on letters to your granddaughter. Thank you, sir, for your spot-on articles. Well done!
Welcome aboard, Jessie.