Your Tombstone

I joke a lot of the times. And when I see someone with a useless skill or achievement, I frequently say, "Congrats, write that on your tombstone." Of course I say it jokingly. It often irritates the person I am telling it to, because they realize their countless hours playing video games really have no benefit to their life. But I think their is a deep truth behind it, which is probably why it bites down to the bone when I joke about it.

When you see tombstones, you see adjectives and nouns that people remember you by. Loving, friendly, and kind. Father, husband, teacher, and friend. You don't see all the wealth that that person accumulated. you don't see all the physical accomplishments that that person achieved. Instead, you see the qualities that they have developed and the relationships that they have formed. I think this serves as a valuable lesson in life of what truly matters in the long run.

While it can be enjoyable in the moment pursuing wealth, possessions, and power; in the end those things hardly matter. I believe the experiences we have with the people whom we love are what truly matter in life. Create some joyful experiences. Create some powerful relationships. Develop some qualities that you think are valuable. These are what add true value to your person. These are the things you truly take to your grave.