tonymorganti:

One day in everyone’s life, including yours, you’ll realize it doesn’t matter how good looking you are; how skinny or fat, short or tall.

You’ll know that your skin color makes no difference. Shades of White, Brown, Yellow or Red.

The irrelevance of how slick a car you drive, the beautiful house you live in and the exclusive friends you keep will embarrass you.

You’ll think about how stupid it was for you to care about what others thought. Not living life to the fullest because this one might think that, or that one might think this.

All this and more will become abundantly clear to you, as your thoughts crystallize with the epiphany of knowledge that washes over you.

This will happen to each of us, every one of us….

When we draw our last breath.

There will be no more sunrises or sunsets. No minutes, hours or days.

Your wealth, fame and influence will melt and drain away.

Your hates, grudges and jealousies will disappear. As will your loves, passions and lusts.

Things that seemed so important shrivel to irrelevance.

All the mysteries of life will be answered as the hourglass of life empties to the bottom. Only then will you become aware of what really matters:

It’s better to give then to have.

What will matter is not your success but your significance.

Not what your learned but what you taught.

What matters is every act of sacrifice, courage, integrity and honesty in your life that encouraged others to follow your example.

The spark of life has been extinguished in your physical body and it will decay to dust but your life isn’t over. It lives on in the thoughts and memories of those that live on.

Some of us leave lasting memories but most do not. You need to realize now that you’re a living, breathing, sentient being and that life isn’t happenstance. It’s a series of choices and the choices you make will define your legacy and your legacy will be how you’re perceived in the memories of those that live beyond you.

Choosing to live a life of passion and compassion is a good start.

Choosing to do the right thing, even if it’s hard, leaves lasting memories.

Treating all living things with compassion, love and respect leaves memories that will last.

You’ll be memorable if you engage with passion, everything in your life, even the simplest mundane things.

Being honest always, even when a lie can benefit you, leaves memories that will last.

Always showing tolerance to others that are different then you is memorable.

Always smiling, even when you hurt, will leave a lasting impression.

Caring for the earth and it’s resources will be memorable.

These choices and many more lie before you everyday. The daily choices you make define your immortality.

So, strive to live forever by living right today.

Anthony Morganti