Last week the world lost a hero, my uncle Marshall. He was like a second father to me. To everyone else, living a life of purpose and meaning, he was a devoted husband, a loving father, a selfless role model and an all-around leader of his life. He truly embodied living a life of purpose and meaning every day.

I am sharing what I believe to be one of the best letters I’ve ever read about anyone.

Marshall, I love you and miss you so much.

I hope you will find it as enjoyable as I did. Here is the link to the original article: http://thewisdomdaily.com/the-man-who-did-ordinary-so-well-it-became-extraordinary/

The Man Who Did Ordinary So Well, It Became Extraordinary

The word “extraordinary” is so often thrown around that its meaning has become benign. All it actually means is to be more than ordinary.

As I grow older, I have come to understand that part of making life worthwhile is stringing together as many “regular” days as possible. This is a key aspect of finding purpose and meaning in life.

It is harder than it sounds, and yet those earthly messengers who understand what it means to thread together the regular days, seem to more easily live lives of meaning and purpose.

A Life of Purpose and Meaning

My community just lost one of those earthly messengers. Marshall was not a CEO; a millionaire; nor an athlete. He was none of those things. What he was was a man who strung together a heck of a lot of regular days. He loved his wife, children and grandchildren as much as anyone could love their family. He worked everyday until he was too sick to do so otherwise. He labored tirelessly for his community, giving when that meant taking from what he needed himself. He smiled at everyone and made them believe they could be better. He believed that the next day would improve simply because… He was replete with hope and optimism and faith in humanity.

Lessons from an Earthly Messenger in Finding Meaning and Purpose

Marshall never got A’s in school. But he was one of the most emotionally intelligent people I have met in my life. He knew people. He knew emotions. He understood fulfillment. And, he wasted no time in stringing all of these seemingly regular aspects of life together. He did the ordinary so well; and that made him extraordinary. His way of living a life filled with purpose and meaning was truly inspiring.

I once asked him how he could look at life with such hope and light. I wondered aloud to him how he could act so positively when life was not kind.

Finding Strength in Adversity

“Come on, Marshall, what would happen if it was all taken away?” I pushed.

“My family,” he answered, “I would be devastated if anything were to happen to them, but I could handle anything else.”

He could tell that I was skeptical.

“You don’t believe me, do you?” he pushed. He continued, “Before you were my rabbi, many years ago, I had all of the material success one could ask for. We had any car, vacation or worldly possession one could want. For various reasons, life didn’t go the way I wanted and I lost it. I lost everything.”

“So, what did you do? How did your marriage last; how did you tell your friends; your children?”

With faithful confidence, he said, “It was only money. My wife, children and I were still healthy and the money is never what really counted. I have never stopped being rich. I just don’t have the money I used to have. I have another job, I pay my mortgage, and I put food on the table. I would have preferred it be different, but what counts the most, I always have and will always celebrate.”

Leaving a Lasting Legacy and Living a Life of Purpose and Meaning

Indeed, even when diagnosed with terminal disease, he told me, “I wish the news were less bleak, but this is my diagnosis and I will live each day like I always have.” In fact, his last words on his deathbed to me were, “I have hit it right on the money.”

“You did hit it right on the money, Marshall,” I said. “In essence, you spent your last moments living a life of purpose and meaning.”

He lay there, dying, and he had everything. Why? Because Marshall, an earthly messenger, strung together the ordinary to make his life nothing less than extra-ordinary. In essence, he spent his last moments living a life of purpose and meaning.

The Value of an Executive Coach

Marshall’s story beautifully illustrates the power of living a life grounded in purpose and meaning. While he may not have held a formal title like “executive,” his approach to life holds valuable lessons for leaders at all levels, including those in the C-suite. This is where an executive coach can be incredibly beneficial.

An executive coach can help individuals, like Marshall, identify their core values and align their actions with those values. They provide a safe space for self-reflection, helping leaders uncover blind spots and challenge limiting beliefs. By working with an executive coach, individuals can develop the emotional intelligence and self-awareness that Marshall exemplified, leading to more authentic and impactful leadership.

Just as Marshall found strength in adversity, an executive coach can guide leaders through challenging times, helping them navigate obstacles and emerge stronger on the other side. They can help leaders cultivate resilience, develop effective coping mechanisms, and maintain a positive outlook even in the face of setbacks.

Ultimately, an executive coach can help leaders at all levels live a life of purpose and meaning, stringing together those “ordinary” days to create an extraordinary life, just like Marshall did. By focusing on personal growth and development, leaders can unlock their full potential and make a lasting impact on their organizations, their communities, and the world around them.

A Call to Action

Who is your Marshall Sherman? He/she is present in your life. Just make sure you pay attention to learn the lessons of your angel. It might take your everyday and make it ordinarily sacred!