Becoming a Better Man

I attended a funeral of a prominent Atlanta tech entrepreneur yesterday. It was sad to think of his passing, joyous to see so many show up to celebrate his life, funny at times in the stories those who really knew him shared, heartbreaking to think of him as gone so soon, and yet heartwarming to hear how he touched so many lives. We were acquaintances as his son was in our Cub Scout Pack and they had been to our home to work on a Pine Derby car. He was always kind to me. Needless to say, I wasn’t that useful the rest of the day, pondering a few thoughts:

1. Some 20 people spoke in rapid succession, about how much fun they had together. I’m working a lot, but do I really invest time, effort and resources in enjoying my life?

2. People showed up that had known him since his high school days, some 30-40 years ago. Am I doing enough to nurture real, meaningful relationships with a few around me?

3. He was frugal, taught his young children the value of money, yet loved to give and create real impact. We’ve both supported the same charity; I’ve done it in my keynotes and in small ways over the years. He impacted 4,500+ people in Africa, and the CEO of the charity showed up to speak. Am I doing enough to make a dent in the lives of others less fortunate?

4. He so loved his wife and children. It was evident in everyone who spoke about who he was and how he carried himself. Am I doing all that I can to be the husband and father I was meant to be?

5. He was successful in business and in life. He exited three startups and had six children. He apparently found a way to integrate his professional endeavors with his personal passions. His work fueled his life. Am I adding so much value in my work to be sufficiently compensated to fuel my life?

6. Lastly, he seemed to have had an incredibly deep faith and even in his final days, was at peace about leaving his worldly possessions to be with his heavenly father. How can I continue to strengthen my relationship with my Lord?

Even after he’s gone, thinking of who he was and how he lived, makes me want to be a better man. Rest in peace Reggie and God Bless.