The Power of A Life Lived Well

Fall arrived on Monday morning. It had me thinking of life and leaves. It seems that the power of a life is not lived in the moments for they pass like leaves falling to the ground. The impact of a life is found when those moments are seen together as a meaningful whole, like sitting in the shade of a towering elm. The shade is the result of the composite of each leaf on each branch.

Therefore, while the little choices I make today may seem inconsequential—like a leaf falling to the ground, each choice contributes to the composite, the whole. I hug my wife. I praise my daughter. I listen to the heartache of a friend. I pay a bill. I write a note. I do a chore. I worship the Creator. Little choices—leaves falling, passing, seemingly unnoticed.

I lie to a friend. I cheat on a time card. I lust for another. I entertain the racist joke. I berate my son. I flee from the challenges. I shun my wife. I give up hope. I embrace bitterness. I ignore the Creator. Little choices—leaves falling, passing. Leaves that point to a tree—a life lived well or poorly.

Fall arrived on Monday. It reminded me that a life lived well, tends the leaves.