Last week, the brother of one of my best friends passed away from a massive heart attack. His death was very unexpected. He was only 48 years old and we were all shocked to hear the news.
I had spent time with him on a few different occasions, but I never really got to know him. Today, I attended the funeral and learned a lot about the mark he made in the world.
Ordinary Lives
He was really just an ordinary guy, just like you and me, just like most everyone else for that matter. Nothing he did could be considered world changing, yet he regularly changed the world of the people around him. He came from a very large family and many of them spoke about his charitable nature.
He really didn't have very much, but he always gave them something. Sometimes it was the gift of time, other times it was just a simple piece of candy. They all knew that if they needed something, he would be there to help.
Our Legacy
The funeral experience got me thinking again about the legacy we each leave behind. For whatever reason, many of us believe that our legacy is connected to the greatness we achieve. This sad belief is fueled by society's mirage that the highest achievements in life are usually the most difficult, and therefore may only be achieved by a select few. The higher the standard, the fewer there are that can reach it. Not everybody can get to the top – so we honor those that do.
This idea contributes to the false belief that what we do really matters. Here is why I think it is a false belief. Can you name the top musicians, actors, politicians, ministers, athletes, public speaker or any other category of fame from 100 years ago without googling it? How about the criminals, schmucks, dirtbags and/or villians of the same time period? Most of us would answer no, to these two questions – and that is precisely my point. Very few of the things that we value as a society are really the things that matter.
Point of Impact
Our impact will only be felt by those closest to us. That is why it is so important to make sure that we spend the majority of our time developing and fostering those relationships. I am not going to live for 100 more years, but I may live another 40 – 50 years. During that time, I will have grandchildren and even some great-grandchildren. Some of my great-grandchildren will be alive 100 years from now and if I take the time to love and cherish them, they will remember me.
They are the keepers of my legacy. If I ignore them, they will forget me just like everybody else. It is crucial for us to learn this as early as possible and then to live and behave accordingly. Any other way will only lead to unfulfilled potential.
Here are the questions for the day:
Are you giving the least to those who matter most?
Are you more concerned about what the world thinks of you then what your family thinks of you?
Who do you love? How do they know?
Driving through the grave yard today reminded me that we are only here temporarily and none of us will get out alive. Too often we take ourselves and life too seriously. It is meant to be fun and full of joy. If it is anything else for you, then it is time to let go and . . .
Live Today! Love Today!
Your personal legacy depends on it!
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