Have you ever noticed that there are times in life when a whole rash of famous people die in a short time span? People bemoan the loss in public posts or statements, recalling the great exploits of these individuals, be they actors, musicians, or other types of public figures.
Despite their fame, the remembrance of such individuals often fades within a few days, and we all go back to our normal lives, perhaps even scratching our heads in perplexity several years later when the name of the famous dead one resurfaces. In essence, life is fleeting, and even the most famous among us are forgettable.
1. Didn’t Run His Mouth
Rush described Franklin as someone who “seldom spoke in Congress” or in the French Court to which he was eventually elected emissary, but when he spoke, his words contained such wisdom that they “[flew] by the next post to every part of the kingdom.”2. Worked His Tail Off
What Franklin didn’t say, he made up for in endeavor. Rush speaks of him as someone who “was useful in committees in which he was punctual and indefatigable.” In other words, he was willing to do the hard, behind-the-scenes work of which no one took much notice. Given the complaints about the current workforce, those of us who show up on time, persevere until the work is done, and act as a team player will stand out just as much as Franklin did in his time.3. Didn’t Hold His Finger to the Wind
Franklin, Rush wrote, “early declared himself in favor of independence.” This signals that he was a man of convictions, knew what he believed, and was unafraid to stand for it publicly, even if it cost him everything. That type of individual may not be popular in the short term—in fact, he will likely endure great ridicule and testing by his peers—but in the long term, the person who is not easily swayed by popular opinion will receive far greater respect than the one always determined to fit his opinions to the whims of culture.4. Thinking Deep Thoughts
Perhaps the reason why Franklin didn’t hold his finger to the wind was because he thought things through carefully and tried to determine the consequences of a decision and the true meaning of life.“John Adams used to say that he was more of a philosopher than a politician,” Rush wrote of Franklin.
Essentially, Franklin took the time to study, to draw on the thoughts of those who had gone before, and to weigh the evidence of these arguments when forming his own opinions. We, too, would be well advised to take on this multitude of counselors, going beyond the headlines to ponder the past in order to successfully navigate the present.
Would that we would do the same, not pushing ourselves to a place of prominence by whatever means possible, but by humbly giving of ourselves to advance the well-being of others.
Yes, celebrities will continue flashing like firecrackers on a July 4 evening, flaring up, making a big noise, then fading rapidly, leaving a trail of smoke that quickly vanishes. The rest of us average folks may not even contribute that flash-bang experience to life on this earth, yet the epitaph we leave behind can be far more lasting than that of the hottest actress or the most prominent politician. Franklin’s memorial tells us how to start on that quest.
