What inspired me this week?What surprised me this week?
I love it when service people arrive on time for appointments made. I know this sounds trivial, but it's a big deal to me. This morning I'm having my carpets cleaned and the young man called an hour before our scheduled appointment to remind me that he would be coming and then he arrived on time. Bless his little heart. I'm pleasantly surprised when this happens! What moved me this week?
A life well lived. This week I attended the funeral of one of my uncles. He was 89 years old when he passed and had lived a long, full life. As I sat in the congregation listening to the eulogies, I was moved.
There are many measures of "success" in this life. In our very nature is the desire to achieve and to be successful. Success is often measured by power, or popularity, or winning, or achievement. I think we've all measured success at one time or another by the accumulation of wealth. As I listened to those who spoke at my uncle's funeral, I realized what a successful man he truly was. I was, however, measuring success in a way the world usually does not. In his twenties he married and was faithful and true to that same woman for all of his life. This good man raised four children to adulthood and was a father they would choose to emulate. He was a loving and playful grandfather. He never graduated from high school, but he worked hard throughout his life to provide for his family. He was a good friend and neighbor. He studied the scriptures, learned from them, and tried to live his life in accordance with the principles taught therein. He never accumulated much wealth, but he learned that God would provide for those who are faithful. He wasn't prominent or revered, except by his friends and family. He didn't hold multiple degrees from prestigious universities, but he learned wisdom. Much to admire and attempt to emulate. The world might question his "success" in life, but, in my mind, true success is not measured by the definitions of the world.
I am moved by simple lives well lived.
There are many measures of "success" in this life. In our very nature is the desire to achieve and to be successful. Success is often measured by power, or popularity, or winning, or achievement. I think we've all measured success at one time or another by the accumulation of wealth. As I listened to those who spoke at my uncle's funeral, I realized what a successful man he truly was. I was, however, measuring success in a way the world usually does not. In his twenties he married and was faithful and true to that same woman for all of his life. This good man raised four children to adulthood and was a father they would choose to emulate. He was a loving and playful grandfather. He never graduated from high school, but he worked hard throughout his life to provide for his family. He was a good friend and neighbor. He studied the scriptures, learned from them, and tried to live his life in accordance with the principles taught therein. He never accumulated much wealth, but he learned that God would provide for those who are faithful. He wasn't prominent or revered, except by his friends and family. He didn't hold multiple degrees from prestigious universities, but he learned wisdom. Much to admire and attempt to emulate. The world might question his "success" in life, but, in my mind, true success is not measured by the definitions of the world.
I am moved by simple lives well lived.
