A friend sent me an article that talked about the five reasons God (or deity of your choice) gives you problems. Although the article itself was good, I found that the most powerful words in it were at the end. The author chose to sum up the article with...
"Success can be measured not only in achievements, but in lessons learned, lives touched and moments shared along the way."
As I approach my birthday next month, I tend to do what everyone does. I look and say 'what have I done with my life?' I have not made tons of money. I don't have a lot of friends. I've not designed anything major, not invented anything. I'm not important.
For the most part, I can only claim to have survived. I've gotten by day by day, not making any major mark in anything, but just squeaking by. Nothing spectacular.
But then I realize that I have helped a couple people, touched their lives, helped them get by certain rough spots, and pointed them along their paths. A few years ago, I could count the number of people that fall into this group on the fingers of one hand. Lately, that number has stated growing. Knowing that I have helped people, or to put it better, knowing that I have been allowed to help people, has made my life have meaning, made it worthwhile. That, I guess, is my mark on the world.
So, I guess when I reach my birthday next month, and start wondering what I have done with my life, I will know that it has been worthwhile because of the people who's lives I have touched, and who have touched mine in return.