With the holiday break upon us, I have suddenly gone from “too busy to think about anything,” to, “lots of time to think about some stuff that’s not that important.”  In doing so, started thinking about what my legacy is going to be, now that I am probably about halfway through my time on this planet (I’m not dying; when I’m 88 I plan on taking an interplanetary flight somewhere else…).

At this point in my life, it’s obvious I’m not going to win a Superbowl, or even play in the NFL.  Likewise, a Major League championship is out of the question (especially since I don’t even like baseball any more).  No desire to be in the Guinness Book of World Records has me covering my face with bees or stuffing chop sticks up my nose.  And because you can time my forty yard dash with a sun dial, “world’s fastest man” is probably out.

As I was going down all the stuff I’m NOT going to be remembered for, I was reminded of a quote by Oprah Winfrey: “If you focus on what you have, you will always have more; if you focus on what you don’t have, you will never have enough.”  I’m not her biggest fan, but I admit she’s on to something there.  I served my country (hopefully well, at least adequately), I am a father to two beautiful children (three if you count the one with four legs), a husband to a beautiful wife, a loving son and brother.  I am a good friend to a select few.  I wrote a book that made some people smile, and I work in a job that gives me the opportunity to make good citizens and leaders out of some great raw material.

Focusing on that made me feel a little better, even if twenty minutes after I’m gone the only place you will find my name is my tombstone and my obituary (hope they spell it right!).  I’m not getting any younger, faster, or smarter, so the above will have to be enough.  Even if it isn’t, I’m good with it.

Happy New Year to all.