The first line of the letter said, “We understand that you have a child turning 18 in the next month - a major milestone for both of you.”

I honestly thought to myself, “Who are they talking about?” Sure, we have kids who either are in or have graduated from college, but the remaining three are still little kids living at home. But then I stopped myself, did the math and remembered, yes, I do have another child who will soon be an adult - perhaps not mentally but yes, legally an 18-year-old adult.

When did this happen? What happened to the past 18 years? Where did the last 20 or 30 or 40 years go? 

Before I know it, the last three kids will be out of the house (and back again but that’s another story) and I will be moving into another phase of life.

Regardless of what phase of life we are in, it is always good to take a step back and reflect on what you have - and have not - accomplished in your life. But even more importantly, what have you done to make not just your life better, but to make other people’s lives better? 

Yes, the days may drag on but the years fly by. And when it comes to an end - and yes, it will all come to an end - can you say that you made a difference in the world?

Maybe you are just figuring out your high school class schedule for next year. Maybe you are enrolling your child in kindergarten. Maybe you are that mom who forgot that you have an 18 year old graduating next year. Or maybe you just hope your joints don’t creak too much when you stand up in the morning. 

There is never a perfect time to do something, just time. So it is never too late to help others and make the world an even better place to call home.

One of my favorite podcasts is “How I Built This” with Guy Raz. On a recent episode, he was interviewing David Neeleman, who has created half a dozen airlines, most notably JetBlue Airways. 

Part of the interview focused on what made his airlines different, such as the first to issue E-tickets or making top-notch customer service a priority. 

But the part of the interview that really caught my attention had nothing to do with airlines, but rather was Neelman’s reason behind why he does what he does. And it was a good lesson for all of us as the days and the years fly by: Ultimately, he wants to make other people’s lives better.

It’s a simple question to ask yourself: What are you doing to make other people’s lives better? What are you doing to make your own family’s life better? What are you doing to make your community better?

Or to put it even more succinctly: Do you matter? In other words, how will you be remembered at your funeral? Who would show up? What would they say? 

At the end of your life, how many lives will you have touched? What impact will you have made? Will you be remembered? How will you be remembered?

These aren’t easy questions which can be answered with a simple response. Rather, these are life-long quests to be the best person you can be and to leave the world a better place than you found it.

And to make an impact, it doesn’t have to be a grandiose gesture. You don’t have to end climate change or revamp the U.S. tax code. Although if that is your cup of tea, have fun. Maybe it is walking dogs at the Humane Society or volunteering to coach even though you don’t have a child in the sport. Perhaps it is donating blood or volunteering at the bloodmobile. 

Maybe at some point, it is time to take a step up to bigger projects such as building a housing complex or running for city council. 

Regardless, when you start focusing on others rather than yourself, you will truly be making an impact.

As podcast wrapped up, there wasn’t a summary about Neeleman’s accomplishments in the airline industry. Rather he shared a theory he lived by: The more people you touch, the more good that you do, the more lives you have changed for the better, the happier you will be. Because in the end, it is isn’t about yourself. It is about what you are doing for others. 

What are you doing to make the world - even just the little things you can touch - a better place to call home?