I have visited a number of “homes” of famous individuals in my time. I am always fascinated by the home office that, for the most part, has been left or restored to look as it did in that individual’s day. In many cases, most or all of the items in the office are the exact items owned by the individual. For example, in Thomas Jefferson’s home in Monticello, VA, you can see the actual desk and chair Jefferson used along with his writing materials, books, and other articles that reflected his interest in politics, science, and mathematics. In Thomas Edison’s home office at his Ft. Myers, FL winter home, you can see electronic devices, chemicals, and other artifacts that he actually used for his experimentation and work. Both of these offices reflect the men, their work, and their legacy.

When it is all said and done, we still remember Thomas Jefferson as an inventor, author, statesman, politician, and president. He was not a perfect man, but his legacy lives on nearly 200 years after his death. Thomas Edison is credited with 2,332 worldwide patents in his lifetime (1,093 US Patents covering a period of nearly 60 years). He is credited with inventing the light bulb, perhaps his most famous invention. When it is all said and done, Edison is remembered as possibly the most prolific inventor the world has ever known!

The phrase “when it is all said and done” is an interesting one. It infers a final accounting or final summary or final story associated with a person or an activity. For our purposes now, let’s allow it to refer to each of us and the final accounting credited to us. Today, I would merely like to pose 7 questions that, hopefully, will help you consider the impact you are making in the lives of those around you:

1. When it is all said and done, how do you want to be remembered by your family? Will your legacy be one of integrity, honor, fun, and love, or will you be remembered in some other way?
2. When it is all said and done, how do you want to be remembered in the workplace? Did you do things the right way? Did you serve others? Were you a person of character and integrity even when things didn’t go well?
3. When it is all said and done, will you be remembered as a kind, loving person? Did you treat others fairly? Did you seek to make a positive difference to others?
4. When it is all said and done, what did you leave behind for others? Did you focus your life on things that truly mattered or were your contributions cheap and easily blown away with the wind?
5. When it is all said and done, will others remember you as a person of integrity? Did you keep your promises and vows? Did you give more than you took? Did you leave the world a better place because you were in it?
6. When it is all said and done, will your memory bring a smile to others? Did you enhance the lives of others? Did you leave fun memories?
7. When it is all said and done, what did you do with God? Did you accept Him or reject Him? Did you live with an eternal perspective or with a “what’s in it for me” philosophy? Did you accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior?

When your life story is “all said and done”, will it be one that made a positive impact on others or will it be something else? Is there something you are doing today that needs to change?

Have a great day! Remember, this could be your very best day yet! You never know when that day will come.