A life is not important, except in the impact it has on other lives. –Jackie Robinson

The funeral service for “Mr. Gene” Lefeged, a legendary figure in the Mater Dei School annals and a towering presence in his local neighborhood, was an experience unlike any other.  Soul-shaking music.  Heartfelt remembrances.  Unrelenting anguish mixed with roof-rocking laughter.  It was a sendoff worthy of a local hero.  And one thing was for certain when they finally carried him away from the altar.  A mighty tree had fallen in the Scotland community!

But one moment captured Mr. Gene’s essence above all the others.  The epochal Reverend approached the pulpit with his flowing robe and black, Chuck-Taylor shoes, exuding cool James Brown vibes with every step.  With a thundering voice and flawless delivery, it was plainly clear we were in for more than a sermon.  We were in for fireworks.

The Reverend intentionally paused, peered out over the congregation, and delivered his message with a purpose.

“There are three words that perfectly sum up Gene Lefeged’s life.”

Another pause and a dramatic handkerchief wipe of the brow.

“He’s got WEIGHT!”

The reverend went on to provide full context and meaning to those simple but powerful words.  On a traditional scale, Mr. Gene was a skinny man, and would technically register as a lightweight.  But on a different scale, measuring character, impact on community, and the ability to positively influence someone’s life, Mr. Gene was in a category of his own.  His smile that made you feel safe and included, his sage advice that could save you from a life of bad decisions, and his calm and welcoming demeanor that could brighten up your darkest day all added to his positive impact on the world.  By ALL accounts, Mr. Gene was an absolute heavyweight on the scales of life.  Can I get an Amen?!

It was a beautiful and moving tribute to a great man.  But it also provided a new paradigm for us to measure the success of our own lives.  Are we living the life of a heavyweight or a lightweight?  And on which scale are we measuring the impact of our actions?

Focus on What Truly Matters

In our work lives, we can come out on top looking like a heavyweight.  A huge corner office.  A massive salary and bonus.  And a lofty title that would make the King Charles blush.  There is nothing wrong with that if we work hard and do things the right way.  We should enjoy the fruits of our labor.  But we have to be careful about how we measure success.  Are we positively impacting the culture of our company?  Are we taking the time to mentor those who are just starting out in the business?  Are we intentionally aiming to add a little joy to someone else’s day?  Our true impact goes far beyond monetary contributions.

And the same is true in our personal lives.  The biggest house, the coolest gadgets, and the fastest car do not register on the scales of life.  We can rack up all of these toys and still be a lightweight!    What is our level of empathy?  How many genuine friends are in our corner?  How often do we take the time to have a difficult conversation that could change someone’s life?  What are we willing to do to protect the ones we love?  These things make an impact.  These things have WEIGHT!

Be a Heavyweight

We all have busy lives with so many obligations and stresses that consume our everyday thoughts.  We can’t always pause to contemplate our legacy.  We can’t always think about our place in the world.  That’s okay.  Sometimes, we just have to get things done.  But every once and a while, we have to pick up our heads and gaze across the horizon.  There are certain moments that deliver instant perspective.  There are certain moments that cause us to pause and ponder the impact we are having on this world.  Gene Lefeged’s funeral was one of those moments.

At the end of the day, we won’t be measured by material possessions or status.  We will be measured by our impact and positive influence on our workplace and community. We will be measured by the quality of our relationships and the number of people we have guided safely down the path.  We will be measured by our ability to make someone’s day with a smile.  We will be measured by a scale that truly matters.  Thank you, Mr. Gene, for showing all of us what it means to be a heavyweight.

 

(For more on Mr. Gene’s incredible life, please check out this post from eight years ago: Meet “Mr. Gene” Lefeged)