#1098 In Memory of John Johnston (Who I never knew)

A NATIVE OF KIRKCUDBRIGHTSHIRE, SCOTLAND, BUT FOR MANY YEARS AN ENTERPRISING, UPRIGHT, AND HONORABLE MERCHANT OF THIS CITY. A MAN OF HUMBLE, CHEERFUL, DEVOTED PIETY; REMARKABLE FOR THE SERENITY OF HIS DISPOSITION AND HIS DOMESTIC AND SOCIAL VIRTURES: GENEROUS IN HIS IMPULSES, KIND IN HIS SYMPATHIES AND LARGE IN HIS BENEFACTIONS; FIRM IN PURPOSE AND VIGOROUS IN ACTION; WHO HAVING SERVED HIS GENERATION BY THE WILL OF GOD FELL ASLEEP ON THE 16TH DAY OF APRIL 1851 IN THE 70TH YEAR OF HIS AGE.

I saw this carved into marble in the basement of a church in Manhattan. I read it and was blown away. I would love to live my life in such a way that people would say this about me.

Look at these words:

Honorable, upright, humble, cheerful, serene in disposition, generous and kind, and large in his benefactions.

This placard inspired me, and I hope it does you, too. I know that this week and last week are a departure from our usual communications and leadership topics, but I also know that they are significant.

Take a moment to consider your values and your daily alignment with those values. 

Are you able to articulate those values, and more importantly, can you stick with them during times of duress?

Some of us exercise often, toning our outer shape. This is more about exercising your inner shape. Socrates said that the unexamined life is not worth living. I invite you to begin (or continue) some good, deep examination today.

Own Your Sales Gene