Ever been inspired by someone you knew and loved? I love my grandfather (Pawpaw West) and my grandmother (Granny West). I say it in present tense even though they have both passed on to the next life. Love doesn't stop while we are apart. I also love my other set of grandparents (Mamaw and Pop Middleton)...and they are still with me. I love my wife, my parents, my kids, my sister, my in-laws, my friends...the list goes on. Many of these people have inspired me down to my soul and made me who I am. I attribute my desire to succeed to my father and my desire to be kind to others to my mother. My love for living life to my wife and kids. My love for gardening, church and family to my grandparents. I say all this as a intro to this blog...
I recently read a book and watched a video called The Last Lecture (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji5_MqicxSo) by Randy Pausch. The link is to the actual video of the lecture. In short, Randy was about to die, he knew it and he wanted to pass on something to his wife and kids in a way that also inspired others. I will not spoil it for you...but it did get me to thinking. What would my last lecture be like if I could do it? Would I have great stories about my life that others would want to hear and I would want to share. Could I say I accomplished all my life long dreams and goals? Would I know what those goals and dreams are? The questions here really dare each of us to ask, was my life successful?
I know that my grandparents (Granny and Pawpaw West) had very successful lives. No, there was no great wealth to pass on. No great business, schooling or awards. But to see how two people, living simple lives, could impact so many, is awe inspiring. I was at the funeral and I saw the people and I heard the comments and I was impacted by them. I could say the same for my other grandparents too (Mamaw and Pop Middleton)...and they continue to inspire.
There was no great command to succeed in this life in human standards. As a matter of fact, there is even an expectation that we will all fail on our own. All we can do is trust in God and help others to do the same. Has my life been successful? I would say yes...so far. Have I inspired others? I would like to think so. Have I met my life's goals? Almost every one I've come up with so far and was made even better by the ones I didn't achieve. Thanks Randy! Thanks Granny and Pawpaw. Thanks Dub. Thanks Murray. Your lives inspired me. You've set the bar high and I promise to keep it there.
How about you, are you living the right life and aiming for the goal??????
1 comment:
Wow Chet-- You should send a "WARNING: This might make you cry"-- not in a bad way, but as I sit in an airport with tears streaming down my face, I am inspired. Inspired to consider how I live my life-- I don't think I think about that enough--am I full of grace and mercy? Do I enable others to speak and question the ways that we can make our world a better place? Do I love people--all people, because they are God's children? Thanks for sharing your thoughts about Mee-Maw and Pee-Paw-- I too have been inspired by them and the ways they lived and inspired by you and your thoughts! Thanks!!! Jeanie
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