In Reflection
The true mark of a person is their impact on others
And often this isn’t really known until they are gone.
I’ve noticed this about everyone familiar who’s died,
Even the humblest leaving some mark
In their absence
A mark sometimes so profound and sacred
It leaves us humbled.
Some people are so great though
They effect all of humanity
Across the world
In the present and on through history.
The effects are myriad
But the deepest effect of such a soul
Is to cause us to search our own,
To measure up our actions against theirs
And see in what way we are lacking.
Because we are all lacking
And that’s a good thing.
For it gives us something to live for
Something to strive for
And even become,
And perhaps most importantly
A seed for us to have compassion for others
Who also don’t always measure up.
The beauty of great men,
The kind that impact many
Is that they are rare
And thus more obviously great.
Only in Lake Woebegone is everyone above average.
For the rest of us in the real world
We live with bell curves of every type.
But that doesn’t mean we cant also strive for greatness.
There’s a reason so many climbers go for Everest
It’s the tallest, it’s hard and a challenge, but it’s also doable.
And that’s a lesson for all of us.
(9/12/25)
Copyright © James Moore | Year Posted 2025
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