Diary of an Invisible Man

What will they say when I'm gone?

2009-07-16T12:22:00.001-07:00

A great writer once wrote that how you die speaks volumes about how you lived. The kissin' cousin to that profound statement is that what folks say about your life after you die speaks loudly about how you lived. I heard a story today about a 100 year old man who died a few days after his 100th birthday. He was surrounded by his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. As he transitioned into eternal peace, his extended family laughed and cried tears of joy and gratitude that this old man lived. They told stories of the faceless people he helped with no expectation for repayment actually or through karmic balance. He respected the least and the most the same and never tried to intentionally hurt anyone. He loved his family as if love was going out of style and laughed like he couldn't get enough. While this old man clearly was imperfect, he graced the world of many with his kindness, compassion, integrity and his example of humanness. The looming question for all of us is whether we lived in a way that the spoken truth at our funeral will resound with voices from near and far about the world being a better place because we lived. Have we touched the lives that yearn for our touch? Have we laughed, cried, danced, shared and loved as much as we deserve and as much as others deserve from us? What will they say when I'm gone?

Death is Overrated

2009-06-27T07:38:00.001-07:00

The transition from life to the afterlife to be an amazing phenomenon. We go from self-important, egocentric, death fearing life clingers to pure spirit. Death itself is shorter than a millisecond. Yet it holds many of us hostage from really enjoying our lives. The fact is that although we were real and meaningful in life, death converts us to a mere memory...a small place in the hearts of a few.

Michael Jackson Dead at 50

2009-06-25T16:10:00.001-07:00

Well, it's true. Mike is dead. A meteor of ultimate sorts, MJ rose with flames and flare and faded far before his time. We tend to think of the ones we love as stars and suns that will shine forever. In fact, we are all shooting stars or meteors that will one day fade from the gaze of survivors. MJ's death is a sharp reminder that we must live our lives to the fullest and that we should not run from the inevitable. We should embrace life for however long it lasts. We must love as if we can't get enough, laugh as if our lives depended on it and savor the gift of the present. MJ had a great life even considering his public troubles later in the game. MJ was loved by many more than those who despised or suspected him. It is that love that is the nectar of life. Dry your tears because MJ rests away from the reach or crazy fans, stalkers, creditors, pressure of successful music and prosecutors. Rest in peace Michael Jackson.

2009-06-20T08:22:00.000-07:00

A talented vocalist recently wrote and sang that "People come and they go. That's just the way that it goes. But it's alright." I guess I never really applied that to the people you love. Naive I admit, I thought that true love was by its very nature unconditional and eternal. A few of those who I loved most in life taught me that love is too often conditional and that it certainly can die. It's so hard to let go of someone who gave you life's blood, at least you thought so. It's even harder to wrap your emotional arms around the sad fact that love doesn't really conquer all. The question that each of us must ponder is, "Is Love Enough?"

2009-06-18T12:20:00.000-07:00

This is what a dad sent to his sons: "When I was growing up, I thought that my daddy would live forever. While deep inside I knew that he was only human and would one day expire, I never imagined the pain and regret that I would feel when he eventually transitioned into the exhalted posture of an elder. These days I just wish that I could have one more talk with him. I wish that I could hear him laugh about something funny that I did or said. I wish that he could be by my side just one more time when I faced the big challenges in my life. Most of all I wish that I had said all of the things that needed to be said to him while he was here. I fear for my own sons if they forgo necessary conversation that they should have with me. I only hope that in their lives that they say to me all of the things that need to be said. This hope embraces the good and the bad because I know that I have not been perfect. I can only hope that they understand that I did my best and that I loved them more than any words could struggle to explain. I hope that they would love me more for my good than damn me for my mistakes. I would only hope that they find value in my being in their lives and that they would become the kinds of men that I hoped they would be. Love is eternal. Hate is finite. Compassion is crucial. Forgiveness is divine."