Wrath was difficult to be around. Most of us have some level of
wrath in our hearts. The threshold to bring it out is higher in some than
others. Wrath had to be displayed in front of me before I was disgusted
by it. I quit wrath too. It is a conscious reactive choice in each situation.
These were the drawbacks in my character that were brought to my attention trying to know Blake Kudrow. I credit Mr. Kudrow with this lesson. As difficult as it was to admit and face my own shortcomings, doing so allows me to conquer them.
Many virtues were shown to me as well. These taught me to reinforce my character. These are choices we make constantly. We all have the capability to make our actions noble. This is each our own decision.
Sacrifice is a difficult virtue to acquire. It is almost an oxymoron that acquiring this is only done through giving something away. We sacrifice desires, objectives, dreams, possessions, and even ourselves to acquire this virtue. But, through sacrifice we become better people.
Peace is the virtue chosen when a person gives up wrath. Peace is the calm in our soul that harbors the spirit in a state of bliss. This is a high virtue to acquire. Sharing this virtue with others spreads peace.
Compassion hurts when it opens the heart to feel the plight of others. Knowing compassion is to feel the journey of another in their shoes. Compassion forces the feeling of love towards mankind.
Valor is bravery selected at times when action is required. Acquiring valor is to act even when scared to do the right thing, even if it risks personal loss. The world can use more individuals with valor.
Spirituality is the inner desire for advancement of our soul through living right each minute. Acquiring the daily deeds of spirituality improves ourselves and the world around us. Spirituality is the embodiment and practice of all good deeds, great and small.
Humility is the constant viewing of others as more advanced or more important. The ongoing treatment of others as significant releases us from our own ego. It is a noble virtue.
Honor is virtue that binds us to that which is right and dutiful. It lifts our character above mortal limitations and casts our integrity to that of modern day knighthood. This too is a prized virtue.
Justice requires equality and fairness in all situations. This virtue is not for weak minded and wretched people. To practice justice is to be fair minded in all actions and decisions. A just person will stand up for what is right. This virtue requires integrity of spirit.
Blake Kudrow knew that combining these virtues in different ways were the cornerstone of his life. These virtues made him a role model to us all. Even those who never met him can learn from this.
Practicing virtue is not easy at all. It requires replacing the negative traits in our nature with positive ones. This replacement can only be known through our thoughts, actions and deeds when we are alone or being observed.
Following the trail left by Blake Kudrow has endowed me with many changes as well. These transitions of my heart and mind came almost as a series of advancements from where I was to where I am now.
The people I met showed me what was needed to make necessary changes from my station in life mentally, emotionally and physically. It was great learning worthy of sharing here.
Life had become stagnate. That came from an incorrect mental approach to my duties and responsibilities. But, through this journey the transition from stagnation to adventure was made. Now, each day contains adventure waiting to be found.
That stagnation led to many internal insecurities. These self doubts of all kinds became most crippling to my spiritual advancement. Stepping past insecurity brought the recognition of accomplishments. Each accomplishment gave me confidence in my abilities. Now, there is confidence in each task.
Those insecurities had left me with the constant expectation of rejections. That was a self-fulfilling prophecy as rejection was soon found everywhere. Sacrificing all of the insecurities left no choice but to see acceptance everywhere waiting to fill the void.
The mix of insecurity and rejection left the byproduct of fear. There was nothing worse than a heart full of fear. Examples of bravery were put in front of me to replace the diminishing fear. Now, each day is an opportunity to be brave.
My thought had been given over to despair thanks to that constant fear. When that fear no longer had a place to fit, hope replaced it. Hope filled the place where fear had been. Hope became a beacon to light my way.
The despair had allowed sorrow to grow. This sorrow too had a crippling effect. But without despair, sorrow had no fuel to burn. Sorrow was quickly replaced by joy. Now there is joy in the simplest of activities.
Sympathy was the companion of sorrow. What good was sorrow if I could not feel sorry for myself. There was no need for self sympathy
amidst the new found joy. But, my heart was opened and empathy took hold. There was no longer sympathy for myself but empathy for others.
That empathy allowed my own weaknesses to show. All of my life I avoided my weaknesses. This was an opportunity to face them. In doing so, they were replaced with strengths. My character grew stronger. These strengths were good.
My weaknesses had led to poverty. That poverty was no one’s possession but mine. This journey replaced my mental poverty with wealth. Wealth was foreign to me only because it was a weakness of mine. Growing mental wealth was a major transition.
These weaknesses were ignorance of my own choosing. Mental poverty, like monetary poverty is the lacking of something. The mental wealth that was now being acquired was the most valuable of all. My own ignorance was being replaced with wisdom.
Losing ignorance took away many of the mental distractions in my thoughts and also in my life. I could no longer ignore the long term impact of all the distractions that had been accumulated in my life. This allowed me to focus on what was really important.
The lack of focus had left me aimless. There was no real direction or goal. My life was without destination. Acquiring focus also provided the acquisition of purpose. Distraction would not let me choose a direction. Focus allowed me to choose the purpose for my life.
Things were dull. A life without purpose falls victim to the grinding away of that which sharpens our life. Distraction was the same pattern over and over again. Purpose shattered the dullness in life and replaced it with creativity. With creativity, anything could be accomplished.
These negative attributes had always kept me in a position as a follower. Replacing them left the necessary traits found common in most leaders. That transition was made here too. No one could acquire these transitions then willingly choose to continue on as before. I now had the responsibility of leading my own life.
There was no longer time or place in my life for the suffering that had been allowed for so long. Old pains do take time to heal. At least, the healing was well under way. No longer could suffering be an excuse. I now embrace healing any time pain or suffering arises.
All of the combined negative characteristics were the overt and covert cause of my failures. Addressing each one and allowing the transition took away any excuse for failure. The only option remaining is success. No setback will ever hold me from progressing towards success again.
During this project I became a student of life. I was forced into contemplation and realization as part of the course to honor Blake Kudrow. This journey progressed me to the point of being capable of sharing these transitions. Part of my purpose will be that as a teacher even though I choose to remain a perpetual student of life.
The lessons I have learned are worth sharing. If you will allow me the further discourse, I would like to honor Blake Kudrow with each specific lesson he taught me as part of this journey.
Embrace maturity. It is in the maturing that we gain wisdom.
Appreciate life. Live it to the fullest to collect many experiences and memories.
Love openly. It is your greatest gift to the world.
Live with integrity. With it you
are everything. Without it you are nothing.
Understand need. Never confuse want for need.
Know value. Until you know value everything is worthless. Once you know value everything is priceless.
Understand yourself. To thine own self be true.
Use reflection. Think about cause and effect.
Put in the effort. Effort is the only true medium of exchange. Practice forgiveness. Life is too long to never forgive.
Respect others and yourself. Practice knowing that others are as important as you are.
Stay in balance. Give all aspects of your life equal attention.
Understand death. It is like the perfect ending to a good book. It is also completely safe.
Live with fortitude. Strength of spirit will get you through anything.
Embody truth. It is the one thing that outlasts every kind of deception.
The result of these lessons will be a good life. It has given me the ability to distinguish the real thing among many imitations. This is the legacy of Blake Kudrow. It is for him that these words honor.”
Jeremy finished speaking and then fumbled in his pocket retrieving
a small object. He held it high for all present to see. It was the tiny stub of a pencil.
“This is the pencil I used to write some in the journal and also to craft Blake Kudrow’s eulogy.
It occurred to me that a person’s life is a lot like this pencil. It started new and unused, but continue writing and sharpening reduced it many times through the course of its application.
The value in this pencil was not in the wood or the graphite pencil lead. It was also not in the eraser. The value came in how it was used. The words and thoughts it captured each time it was put to use.
A person’s life is much the same way. Their value extends well beyond the flesh and bones. Their deeds and actions that are recorded each day is where the lasting value is found.
The pencil exchanged its length and resource hopefully for quality work. A person wants to exchange their days for a legacy left behind, long after their time is spent. Blake Kudrow achieved that within me. I am the example of how one man invested for the future by his daily acts. For that I am eternally grateful.
Thank you.” Jeremy stopped speaking allowing silence to fill the air. He nodded once then began returning to his seat as the sound of applause filled the room. He looked around to see the only standing ovation he ever received.
Chapter
Twenty-Eight
Simon Webb returned to the podium and closed the eulogy dinner. People exited the banquet hall, some stopping to congratulate Jeremy on ajob well done.
He returned home tired, but this was a good kind of tired. The kind of tired someone gets when they have worked hard and accomplished something. He loosened his tie on the way through his front door.
A beeping sound resonated through the darkness in his home. Jeremy had a phone message. He set down the presentation materials and put his suit jacket over the back of a dining room chair. His tie landed on the table beside it, exactly where it was tossed.
Jeremy contemplated letting the message wait until morning. It was not in his nature now to procrastinate. He exhaled walking to the answering machine and then pressed a button. The machine whirred then clicked.
“This message is for Jeremy Worth. Jeremy this is Chris Locke from C. L. Advisory. Can you please call me to set up an appointment? I would like to make you an offer.” A phone number was left.
He was ecstatic. His hard work had paid off. He felt good about the eulogy and now the job he wanted was coming through for him. Life was taking a turn for the better.
Jeremy sat in Chris Locke’s office. A file folder of documents sat before Chris. He leaned forward looking at Jeremy and then interlocked his fingers.
“Jeremy, it is a tradition of this company to have a unique
screening method for executive candidates. This method is passed down from our parent company. It is a way to both bring out the best in a person and screen out those that will not fit our profile.”
He nodded listening intently. “That sounds very interesting. How do I apply for the program?”
Chris continued. “You already passed. Our parent company, B. K. International agreed with my recommendation. You were put through the legacy inheritance program. Due to your success, we would like to offer you an executive vice president position at twice your previous
salary. The inheritance program also includes a twenty thousand dollar signing bonus. I need you to review these documents and let me know if you are interested.”
Jeremy was shocked. He had mixed feelings realizing he was a better person for the experience. The salary and signing bonus would resolve all his financial problems. He felt renewed and ready for the opportunity.
After careful consideration Jeremy accepted. Chris notified the president of B.K. International; Blake Kudrow who also extended congratulations.
Jeremy began his career at C. L. Advisory and lived happily ever after. He went to work for Blake himself, but, that is another story.
Epilogue
After Many Years
Jeremy decided to write a book about his experience in The Legacy Inheritance. He retrieved a box out of his attic and blew the dust off of the lid, his eyes sparkling.
He reread the old journal being careful not to tear the age-yellowed pages. He was very reminiscent about the eulogy that he wrote so many years ago.
Many thoughts came to him on how it could have been written better, having years of experience to compliment the work.
Jeremy took out a new pencil and sharpened it. He opened an empty notebook and began to write.
“Once upon a time, in a city not too far away, lived an average man, with an average life who could have been any one of us, given the same experiences, situations, emotions and existence. But this man was special... just like you...”
The Legacy Inheritance Page 11
