There will come a time when all of us are no longer walking on this planet.
I know… positive topic, but I’m sure you all think about this from time to time.
Most times people are remembered by the things they do or the people the touch. But often, people are remembered by the way they died or where they died.
You can be driving along the road and see a cross along the side of the road, remembering that someone was killed by a drunk driver. Or see a wing in a library dedicated in memory of someone that loved to read.
No one can be sure how they will be remembered. It all depends on what you do with your life, who you touch and what the circumstances around your death will be.
So my question to you is how will you be remembered?
- Will you be remembered by a small cross along the highway?
- Will you be remembered by the laughter that you brought to people?
- Will you be remembered through your children and what they’ve learned from you?
- Will you be remembered for your art?
- Will you be remembered through the battle you fought?
- Will you be remembered as a tyrant or a slime ball?
- Will you be remembered as a scoundrel and liar – an example of who not to be?
- Will you be remembered as someone that helped those in need?
And what evidence will there be that you were here in the end?
A hundred and fifty years from now, those that we touched will most likely no longer be around. So what evidence will there be that you existed and made a difference (no matter how small) on the world around you?
- Will there be a monument in your name?
- Will there be a wing on a hospital in your name?
- Will there be a simple wooden cross?
- Will there be a tombstone?
- Will there be videos of you imparting your wisdom on the generations to come?
- Will there be songs that still touch people centuries after you’ve gone?
- Will there be a quote that people remember you saying?
- Will there be website dedicated to you in honor of a cause you fought?
- Will there be a company that you created that continues to flourish?
There is a poem that I’ve read that always strikes a cord with me. But – in the end I’m not sure that it applies to more than a hundred or so years beyond the average person’s existence.
“THE MEASURE OF A MAN”
Not – How did he die? But – How did he live?
Not – What did he gain? But – What did he give?
These are the things that measure the worth
Of a man as a man, regardless of birth.
Not – What was his station? But – had he a heart?
And – How did he play his God-given part?
Was he ever ready with a word of good cheer?
To bring back a smile, to banish a tear?
Not – What was his church? Not – What was his creed?
But – Had he befriended those really in need?
Not – What did the sketch in the newspaper say?
But – How many were sorry when he passed away?
These are the things that measure the worth
Of a man as a man, regardless of birth.
Author: Anonymous