The topic for today is the word “will.”
I had many choices from the Google Buffet of Definitions, this morning. I chose the following, from the Merriam Webster site:
will noun \ˈwil\
1. : desire, wish: as
a : disposition, inclination <where there’s a will there’s a way>
b : appetite, passion
c : choice, determination
2
a : something desired; especially : a choice or determination of one having authority or power
b (1) archaic : request, command (2) [from the phrase our will is which introduces it] : the part of a summons expressing a royal command
3 : the act, process, or experience of willing : volition
4a : mental powers manifested as wishing, choosing, desiring, or intending
b : a disposition to act according to principles or ends
c : the collective desire of a group <the will of the people>
5 : the power of control over one’s own actions or emotions <a man of iron will>
6: a legal declaration of a person’s wishes regarding the disposal of his or her property or estate after death; especially : a written instrument legally executed by which a person makes disposition of his or her estate to take effect after death
— at will
: as one wishes : as or when it pleases or suits oneself
A few random thoughts, about all that (accompanied by my friend, Google Images):
In a previous (personal favorite) post here, I wrote about To Do Lists.
Something that’s been on my To Do List, for a very long time?
That kind of will.
Also, on my To Do List, for a shorter time, a different kind of will:
A Living Will (which is not included in the Merriam Webster definitions) is defined as
A document in which the signer states his or her wishes regarding medical treatment, especially treatment that sustains or prolongs life by extraordinary means, for use if the signer becomes mentally incompetent or unable to communicate.
Hmmmm. I wonder why I’ve been avoiding completing both of those kinds of wills — The Last Will and Testament and The Living Will.
I repeat, hmmmmm.
Should I label myself “A Procrastinator?” Would that help?
Nah.
Should I ask you, readers, if you might resist taking care of those kinds of wills? Should I ask if you’ve encountered other people, in your life, who have resisted taking care of those sorts of things, and the effect that has had on you?
Sure! I love asking questions like that. Feel free to answer.
But ultimately, what would give me the will to just get those things done?
I can tell you three things that will help me take an achievable step, on Day 202, of This Year of Living Non-Judgmentally:
- Having just attended a 43rd year high school reunion.
- Identifying that achievable next step (calling a lawyer, whom I’ve identified, also).
- Remembering a “cliche” that my mother used to say a lot:
Where there’s a will there’s a way
(quoted in definition #1a, above).
That concludes today’s blog post, everybody. Thanks for having the will to read, wherever you are.
Asking myself for the willingness to be willing, then watching how it turns out. It all happens in its time.
Thank you for this most helpful comment.
I have the same thing on my ‘to do’ — even had the appointment with the lawyer which he had to reschedule — and of course…. I took that as a sign. 🙂 Need to rebook. thank you for the reminder.
I also like Mia’s comment.
Thanks, Louise! And I did make the call to the lawyer today. Yay!
I feel fortunate in that after 35+ years of being a paralegal, I have done my Will and my entire extended families’ Wills. So important. Thanks for blogging about this – I hope everyone reads your Blog!
Thank you for this comment. I hope everyone reads my blog, too!
Sayoko and I should have done wills way back when our kids were minors, but we waited until a few years ago. What made us eventually get around to doing both kinds of wills? It is probably that I was the executor of my father’s will. It was simple but avoided dealing with courts and such. Take the next step! Soon!
I did! I am!
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