This past week I attended the funeral of one of my husband's aunts. I had only met "Aunt Kay" a few times, but each time I did she knew my name, my children's names, and was one of the most welcoming people I have ever met.

During her service, her grandson spoke of his Nana as someone who knew everyone's story. Not only did she ask about them, but also of their family, friends, and others that were important to them.

When she spoke of her life, she spoke of what was happening with those she loved, hardly ever of herself. 

He shared the stories that everyone else had of his grandmother, from the time she was a young girl until her last moments. What I remembered most was when he read "The Dash Poem" by Linda Ellis. What matters is not the dates on your tombstone, but how others will remember how you spent the dash in-between that matters.

She was one of the "Greatest Generation" who as Brokaw put it was one of "... the men and women fought not for fame and recognition, but because it was the "right thing to do."

I was moved by his remembrance of his Nana and asked him later how he was able to get all those stories from so many people. "It was really simple," he said. "I just listened to everyone's else's stories of her and pulled them together in a timeline. No matter who told the story, it was the same in each. It was never about her, but always about the other person."

As I contemplate what the new business name and "brand" will be, I hope to do the same thing that Aunt Kay's grandson did and determine the story line as told by others. There are a few other reasons this stuck with me and that I felt it needed to be shared. 

First, I read a post a few weeks ago about how to determine what your life's purpose is. Why did you start a business? How does that go with the intention of your life? What does the average day look like? Who does it help? How will it change the world? How will others describe the dash?

Second, it is the validations that the, "It's not about you" mindset changes the world. Some people want to change the world because they want to be known as someone who changed the world. I'm not talking about those people. It's the ones who want to change the world because it benefits others they care about- those are the ones that actually do change the world.

No Excuses.

Lastly, you might be thinking that you don't have the right circumstances, tools, skills, talents, funding, or connections to be able to change the world. When it's not about you, you are free to do anything. I would challenge you to consider Dashrath Manjhi, a laborer from Bihar wanted his people to have access to doctors, jobs, education, and opportunities. Armed with only a hammer, chisel, and crowbar, he carved a road through the 300-foot mountain that isolated his village from the nearest town.

How you will change the world for others?