Thread by @TW_Beckett

I was recently at a friend's father's funeral.

During his eulogy, I heard many things he was known for:

"He lived for watching the Packers every Sunday on TV."
"He loved to watch old reruns."
"His recliner was his best friend, he spent much of his life there."

I was saddened.

All his life, he'd watched others do great things, while he sat and coasted.

What did he build? What did he create? What was he truly remembered for?

A good father, a fantastic high school athlete, a dedicated soldier in the Army, but after that, he took life off, for good.

He married, had three kids, and after all his early accomplishments, he was done. He was ready to watch someone else's life.

There lies the problem. He had so much more he could've done.

All of his early exploits gave way to a memory of an ass crease in a leather recliner.

WTF? This man did amazing things when he was younger, but as he aged, he let off the gas. He stopped everything and let life take the wheel.

He was led by an inertia.

He thought he was done. He'd raise three kids, do his husbandly duties, then sit down to his TV.

So this was the remembrance?

Do you want to be remembered for a piece of furniture , a TV remote and a bag of pork rinds?

I don't. And I don't think anyone else does either.

I've extensively studied Roman History. Know that there are two men in that history that two (and one indirectly) months are named after.

August is named for Caesar Augustus, arguably the greatest Roman emperor.

And July is named for Julius Caesar. His greatness is known.

The months of the year that most of this world sets their clock by are named after men who conquered and ruled over the known world at that time.

And you're remembered for the time you binged watched Netflix for 24 hours straight.

or that you survived the Tide Pod challenge.

See the problem here?

Experiences and action truly make a man.

There's nothing wrong with watching sports, but being there is better. Witnessing in person.

There's nothing wrong with a bit of TV. We all have our vices.

But why not try to truly live?

Why witness on an electronic box the world that you have an opportunity to make a difference in?

Even if it's going to a hospice and helping, or attending an opera, or reading a chapter, or joining a softball league, or taking a cooking class?

I won't be remembered for what I watched. I refuse.

I will be remembered for making my life mine and not apologizing for it.

I will be remembered for the men I helped change to live a full, action filled, unique life that OTHER men want to watch on TV.

Be the man other men want to be.

Be the show on TV that everyone's clamoring to see.

Live daily in the fact that you are making the most of this short time you have by doing hard things and making your mark on this world.

Will you get a month named after you?

Probably not.

But the people you touch daily with your gift to the world will remember you.

The institutions which you created or made better will remember you.

And the family you lifted up will remember you.

My point?

Do. Experience. Live.

You aren't here to watch others succeed. You're here to ride the ride. And you're certainly tall enough.

Life is what you make it.

Let's face it.

We're all worm food.

How will you be remembered?

Will it be what you did or who you watched doing?

Will your funeral have those there celebrating you and your accomplishments?

Or will you remembered as the man who watched the men do great things?

Your choice.