I had many thoughts around what the second letter should focus on. The thoughts that finally captured my imagination were “Who are we when we finally die?” What do people see? I promise not to be morbid. I just want to highlight some truths around funerals that translate to major life lessons especially if you want to die empty and you want to impact your world as a game-changing reformer.
Saying Farewell to Greatness
Funerals can be interesting. You have no control over what people can or might say. At the recent funeral of an amazing woman who lived a life of simplicity and other-centredness I realised that her simplicity had masked the depth of the great work she had been doing. There were over 3,000 people at her funeral. She fed the poor, took care of widows, mentored hundreds of young people, guiding them to live their best lives, and ran a huge school with over 2,000 students! Her life touched people all over the nation and yet she didn’t have much of a social media presence.
I feel compelled to share some valuable lessons. I learnt four:
The first was the unusual observation made by one of the Orators at the funeral: “Greatness looks ordinary.” Yes, true greatness carries the mark of authenticity as you live your best life. The same orator declared “Greatness is busy.” It does not have time to nitpick, whine or complain about issues that you are meant to change as a reformer. You are called to change the narrative; to defy the status quo. It’s time to ask yourself – What problem are you living with that you should be changing?
Second lesson – a life of impact is NOT measured by the level of noise you make. Silence can be impactful. You are not drawing undue attention to your acts of service. But instead, you are willing to allow the transformed lives you impact to tell your story.
The third lesson revolves around an undeniable mark of a reformer – the quest for excellence. You execute with precision and with excellence. This woman’s life and death demonstrated that Excellence is not expensive. Excellence is orchestrated symphony – there is a unity, a flow and a synergy in the sound you create with others. This woman had the ability to create uncommon synergy between disparate individuals and groups.
The fourth lesson – this woman lived her name. Her middle name was “Mercy.” Mercy goes beyond acts of kindness. Kindness does not often take too much from us. Kindness does not often require acts of sacrifice. It can be easy. But mercy requires giving something of oneself. Something that is often painful to part with. Are you living your name? Do you know you can change your name so you begin to walk in your true identity? Perhaps my next letter will touch on the search for one’s ‘true identity.’ Who are you when no-one is watching?
In death you see the whole person. Death unveils who you truly are; the fruits you grew; the legacy you intentionally cultivated. My question I have for you that I am asking myself – What will people see when you die? Hmmm. . . . . . . Will your Greatness look ordinary? Therein lies your strength.
Game-changing reformers are extraordinary. Like this woman, in death, they cannot be ignored.
Remember – You are unique; you are a sound-forger; you are unstoppable.
Start your journey – take the course Becoming a Game-Changing Reformer from https://aleroayidaotobo.org/courses and evaluate who you are and what you know. There is so much more.
Wishing you a Life of Adventure, Strength and Excitement
Alero Ayida-Otobo
Reformer, Transformation Strategist and Author
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