My friend Hugh Jeffries died. He was a wealthy man. His wealth was of the kind that you can take with you when you go. I do not know what his tangible estate measures. That is unimportant now. This I do know?his contributions to the lives of others were the true measure of his success and wealth.
He was a wise and compassionate man. He offered, in every conversation I had with him, words of encouragement and kindness. When I expressed frustration or anger, he counseled forgiveness and understanding. When I ranted about the mediocrity of people's lives, he reminded me that every human soul is great and we cannot know the value of another's daily contribution by their anonymity.
Hugh worked with many of the great and famous personal development teachers. He believed in me and supported my work. I took that as high praise. It was only after my ego got out of the way that I realized that Hugh believed in and supported everyone he encountered.
I think it is important to note that Hugh knew that every word and deed is a causal agent that produces effects. He lived his life accordingly. He believed that everyone has something valuable to contribute and everyone has the potential for greatness.
Each word spoken and deed enacted by Hugh is a measure of his greatness.
We may not be ever be able to know exactly what kind word saved a person's life or what supportive gesture contributed to someone's happiness and success.
Hugh often said that each of us could make difference in the world. It wasn't just a philosophical statement. He set about to do that; and, he succeeded.
Hugh made a extraordinary difference in thousands of lives, who in turn will make a difference in the lives of countless others. His loss is deeply felt by all who knew him; but more importantly, his gift of himself to each of us will live on as we learn to live by his example.
Now that is a legacy, an estate to leave behind. Hugh died a wealthy man indeed.
I mourn his death. I celebrate his life.
I will always remember his smile. It was in his eyes. It overflowed out of his heart.
"That Man is a Success
Who has lived well,
laughed often and loved much;
Who has gained the respect of intelligent men
and the love of children;
Who has filled his niche
and accomplished his task;
Who leaves the world better than he found it,
whether by improved poppy, a perfect poem,
or a rescued soul;
Who never lacked appreciation of earth's beauty
or failed to express it.
Who looked for the best in others
and gave the best he had."
-R.L. Stevenson
"We have never come at the true and best benefit of any genius so long as we believe him an original force. In the moment when he ceases to help us as a cause, he begins to help us more as an effect. Then he appears as an exponent of a vaster mind and will. The opaque self becomes transparent with the light of the First Cause."
-R.W. Emerson
© Leslie Fieger. All rights reserved worldwide.
Leslie is the author of The DELFIN Knowledge System Trilogy: The Initiation, The Journey and The Quest plus many more success publications. He also the co-author of The End of the World with Hugh Jeffries and Alexandra's DragonFire with his daughter Ashley. Subscribe to his free and ad-free eZine at http://www.ProsperityParadigm.com or http://www.LeslieFieger.com.
Reprinting and republishing of this article is granted only with the above credit included. Permission to reprint or republish does not waive any copyright.
"Come out of the circle of time and into... Read More
It's funny how an acquaintance from the past just pops... Read More
We set out walking along a route where one foot... Read More
I am not going to tell you the story of... Read More
How can we enjoy a better lifestyle?'Easy' I hear you... Read More
I wrote about my life and all that I have... Read More
The first thing that an aspiring leader must realize is... Read More
You've probably heard of the popular saying "It's better to... Read More
The grey sky of morning contained an ominous quality. The... Read More
"All that you desire or require is already on your... Read More
"If unresolved anger is a toxin to the spirit, forgiveness... Read More
The story of the three bricklayers has been around for... Read More
Give people more than they expect and do it... Read More
Direct Answers - Column for the week of June 24,... Read More
A near middle-aged man in one of my last workshops... Read More
"I attend courses, read books, listen to CD's, yet I... Read More
Discernment is an inner guide or compass. It is loving... Read More
Some people dismiss dreams as nonsense, thought patterns running amuck... Read More
Matthew 5:14-16You are the light of the world. A city... Read More
Robert was so strong that I once saw him pick... Read More
Continued...About a year later I met my husband. I met... Read More
More things I've noticed along the way:* Our son's birthday... Read More
Do you ever need to have your batteries "re-charged", or... Read More
Direct Answers - Column for the week of December 23,... Read More
Today more than ever before, we are witnessing a crises... Read More
I love to watch people at airports, malls and even... Read More
My students and clients have constantly heard me stress that... Read More
What is the most essential part of your business? You... Read More
If you were an Angel what could you do to... Read More
Three Words That Can Help Us Live Exceptional LivesCertain words... Read More
Have you thought about what you want people to say... Read More
It was 1:30 A.M. on Friday, December 6, 1991. Patrolman... Read More
Direct Answers - Column for the week of March 24,... Read More
Over the years as I've sought out ideas, principles and... Read More
"I would like to pray more. But ... how to... Read More
Are beliefs not often the children of ignorance and fantasy?... Read More
We must shape the future and control our destiny.When we... Read More
One day Mr. Shoaff said, "Jim, if you want to... Read More
For one who takes pride in being involved with different... Read More
Self-confidence is your assessment of your own self-worth. It plays... Read More
Direct Answers - Column for the week of January 6,... Read More
To [many] work is not a gratifying opportunity to do... Read More
The feeling response to being filled up with Love from... Read More
We have all grown up in an age where exploration... Read More
Continued....When I turned 18 years old, I met a new... Read More
Are you ready for a change? Is it time for... Read More
When was the last time you felt you were enough... Read More
Talking with friends, people I meet on a regular basis,... Read More
There is a story about a little girl who suffered... Read More
I have counseled individuals, couples, families and business partners for... Read More
"I was washing my breakfast dishes one morning when it... Read More
So much has been written about success that one often... Read More
When people talk about enrichment, they are usually thinking of... Read More
The difficulty in finding love that is good for you... Read More
Are you left with inspiration but no action after hearing,... Read More
I work in a factory, and we have supervisors who... Read More
In Catholic school the nuns used to tell us that... Read More
Here is the typical life ? typical, though not everybody... Read More
When my older son was diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity... Read More
You know how images trigger emotions? You can see something... Read More
What is it that stops you from jumping off a... Read More
Whenever we are working on our dreams we are going... Read More
I tremble at the thought that millions of people suffer... Read More
It was way past 10:00 pm when I came home... Read More
Here are some thoughts for finding and experiencing joy in... Read More
Most people, when they have to complete a creative endeavour,... Read More
Inspirational |