What Do You Want On Your Tombstone?

First and foremost, I wanted to set the record straight. The author of this article is not an expert on frozen pizza or is purporting to be an accredited authority on anything except Star Wars Trivia.

Many of you saw and read my post on the passing of my former friend and mentor, John Stolte. And as you know, I mentioned that I had never been moved to post anything about someone I had known who had passed away. John Stolte's untimely passing a few weeks ago, shocked everyone who knew him. A man so young, healthy and intrinsically "good" departing the world in the prime of his life is a modern-day tragedy.

When I wrote the post, I wasn't trying to elevate my words or pen a high, lofty work of art. Honestly, the words poured out without a single real thought - akin to a stream of conscience. I can't claim it even though I wrote it; that may be hard to understand for some of you but for others maybe not.

As John would probably ask, in one of our every-other Friday 4pm mentor calls for the last three years, "Why was it so easy for you to write it Erik?" John often spoke with a smile, and even on the phone, you could hear it and after pondering it for the last few weeks I think I have an answer for you John.

John, you left a legacy. And with nearly everyone who worked with you or alongside you was better for it. 12,000 people viewed the posting on you and it wasn't due to anything other than you left the world better and everyone who knew you.

"Ok Erik, so what are you going to do with this knowledge?" John, I want to encourage everyone who knew you or was touched by you to reflect on this simple question, "If you passed away in your sleep tonight, what will people say about you?" I know that I am no John Stolte, and my impact would be minimal in contrast, but how can I change that?

I know there are hundreds if not thousands of books on "leadership" and "legacy." I would be shocked if John read a single one, because his poise and purpose transcended the written word. It was just who he was. With that said, I don't think a 'legacy" can be manufactured overnight or improved with a book. It's a lifetime in the making and when giants like John depart us and the tears have dried up, it's incumbent upon us to honor John by making our world around us a little better, the way John did.

And dare to ask ourselves, "What do you want on your tombstone?"