Birthdays & A Life Well-Lived

Today is my birthday and yesterday was my dad's. I've learned a lot from my dad: integrity, passion for what you do, be kind to others, and logical thinking-okay, he's a CFO, I'm not, but I've tried. We celebrated all weekend with dinner and a show, then breakfast today where my dad ordered the same thing as me and we both polished it off!

I ended my birthday by attending the viewing for my friend Patti's husband Sam who passed away at 51. I'd met Sam just a couple of times, but he had one of those larger-than-life personalities. He was an engineer, an Eagle Scout who donated time to Scouts as an adult, a father to their two beautiful children, and a friend to many lost to us too soon.

Most would probably not spend their birthday at a viewing, but the amazing thing was the lesson reinforced: giving of your time to others is what we're all on this planet to do. The viewing was from 5-7pm and by 5:08pm the line was already out the door and around the corner. Hundreds of people came out to celebrate Sam's life. He made a difference-not just in the lives of his kids and family, but in those he mentored: all of the Scouts, students at the HS Career Fair he attended annually, his colleagues and customers talking of how he taught them, his friends and neighbors who were singing his praises.

We all have a choice to help others each day. We can get caught up in career aspirations, politics at work, or simply focused on the frustrations of life instead of its gift. Those who make a choice to help others be it by word, deed, time, talent, or treasure, will lead the richest life. So many executives tell me each week that they want to make a difference. Sam Colucci Jr. made a difference in his short time here. I'm going to continue to help all those I can, and I hope you will as well; I can't think of a more fitting tribute to Sam.

What will your legacy be?