This year I already attended two funerals, both of family friends in their 60′s. Although both suffered heavy illnesses for some time, it was still very sad. But very eye-opening. It got me thinking about important things in our lives.
One of the funerals was especially touching. I think I never saw so many people attending before.
After the ceremony at the cemetery we were invited to lunch, together with some 100 others. And all of them was talking about deceased. How he helped them at one point of their lives or another, one way or the other. How often times he didn’t asked for payment or anything in return. How he was always prepared to offer helping hand. How he was always ready to have fun.
And obviously this is why our lives are worth living. To enjoy. To have great time with friends and family. To help and support each other. To offer help to strangers without expecting anything in return. To leave our mark on their lives.
That’s what is really important. Not how much money you have. Or how great car you are driving. Or how big your house is. Not even how important is your position in the company.
What really counts is how you affect other people. How you treat them. How much time you spend with them. How you made them feel.
We all say that family is the most important thing in our lives. But are we really spending our time and energy according to that? Or do we just say it, but take it for granted?
- Think about your time, your efforts, your input… do they reflect your values?
- Are you spending your time with kids and spouse?
- Do you find time for friends?
Here is what you can do:
- Commit to spend more time with your loved ones.
- Plan your time to be with them.
- Reconnect with lost friends.
- Make new friends.
- Smile to a stranger.
- Pay it forward.
