Written by Patrick Welsh
As cops, when we hear the term Life Sentence, we think prison time. And, yes, that is understandable and even expected. But Life Sentence has an even greater meaning when looked at from a different perspective.
When you hear the names Terry Nichols (OKC bomber), Patrick Wood Crusius (El Paso, TX mass shooting), Anderson Lee Aldrich (Colorado Springs, CO nightclub mass shooter), what do they all have in common? Each received over 20 life sentences for their crimes. In one sentence, what will they each be remembered for at their funerals? More than 20 life sentences for being mass killers.
Now, in one sentence, what will you be remembered for at your funeral? That one sentence is your Life Sentence. We all have one, famous or not. At your funeral people will share in one sentence how they remember you. Your Life Sentence. How you impacted their lives or what is most memorable about you in their life.
This life is a journey, and we will all leave this world – leaving a legacy, even if it is only a small footprint in the history of the world. And that legacy is totally up to you. What will people say at your funeral?
What do you want them to say? Literally, write down the one sentence you want people to say at your funeral. What are you doing to live that sentence?
My friend, Chris Stefanick, an internationally acclaimed author, speaker, and television host who has devoted his life to sharing the love of Jesus, and helping others do the same, recently put this whole Life Sentence perspective a different way – “Sometimes YOU are the only bible someone will ever read. Be sure your LIFE tells the story of the Gospel.” What story is your life telling?
My Life Sentence? “Pat impacted my life and made a difference.” Every day I try to live a life that is that of a Warrior, Servant, Leader. I try to stand up, show up and defend what I believe – including the Gospel. That is what Warriors do.
I try to put the wants and needs of others before my own – no matter how simple or insignificant the act might be. That’s what Servants do.
I try to be a person of influence and impact in the lives of others. Consciously choosing to strive to do the right things, at the right time, the right way and for the rights reasons. That what Leaders do.
The ultimate Warrior, Servant , Leader is of course Jesus Christ. And we have plenty of examples in our own life time of Warriors, Servants, Leaders. Mother Teresa of Calcutta comes to mind. So does Padre Pio. And Juan Diego (Our Lady of Guadalupe). The soon to be canonized teen, Carlo Acutis is also on the list. And the list goes on. All were Warriors, Servants, Leaders.
You don’t have to be a Saint to a Warrior, Servant, Leader. You just have to live life intentionally striving to be all three. You don’t have to make the news. Just be there for others, they will tell your story someday. They will share your Life Sentence when your journey is complete.
And you will share the Life Sentence at funerals for those who have impacted your life. So be encouraged, be committed, be a Warrior, Servant, Leader right where you are at today. To learn more, or to join a community of like-minded WSL’s, visit the website HERE.
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About the author: Pat Welsh is a nationally recognized author, speaker, trainer and former expert witness in the USA law enforcement community. As a national trainer with the Southern Police Institute, University of Louisville, Mr. Welsh has trained thousands of law enforcement professionals, both civilian and military, in Command Officer Development, Strategic Management, Managing a Small Law Enforcement Agency, Legal Issues In Prosecuting Homicide Cases, Courtroom Survival, and Leadership. He is the host of The Warrior, Servant, Leader Podcast, found on all the major podcast platforms.
As cops, when we hear the term Life Sentence, we think prison time. And, yes, that is understandable and even expected. But Life Sentence has an even greater meaning when looked at from a different perspective.
When you hear the names Terry Nichols (OKC bomber), Patrick Wood Crusius (El Paso, TX mass shooting), Anderson Lee Aldrich (Colorado Springs, CO nightclub mass shooter), what do they all have in common? Each received over 20 life sentences for their crimes. In one sentence, what will they each be remembered for at their funerals? More than 20 life sentences for being mass killers.
Now, in one sentence, what will you be remembered for at your funeral? That one sentence is your Life Sentence. We all have one, famous or not. At your funeral people will share in one sentence how they remember you. Your Life Sentence. How you impacted their lives or what is most memorable about you in their life.
This life is a journey, and we will all leave this world – leaving a legacy, even if it is only a small footprint in the history of the world. And that legacy is totally up to you. What will people say at your funeral?
What do you want them to say? Literally, write down the one sentence you want people to say at your funeral. What are you doing to live that sentence?
My friend, Chris Stefanick, an internationally acclaimed author, speaker, and television host who has devoted his life to sharing the love of Jesus, and helping others do the same, recently put this whole Life Sentence perspective a different way – “Sometimes YOU are the only bible someone will ever read. Be sure your LIFE tells the story of the Gospel.” What story is your life telling?
My Life Sentence? “Pat impacted my life and made a difference.” Every day I try to live a life that is that of a Warrior, Servant, Leader. I try to stand up, show up and defend what I believe – including the Gospel. That is what Warriors do.
I try to put the wants and needs of others before my own – no matter how simple or insignificant the act might be. That’s what Servants do.
I try to be a person of influence and impact in the lives of others. Consciously choosing to strive to do the right things, at the right time, the right way and for the rights reasons. That what Leaders do.
The ultimate Warrior, Servant , Leader is of course Jesus Christ. And we have plenty of examples in our own life time of Warriors, Servants, Leaders. Mother Teresa of Calcutta comes to mind. So does Padre Pio. And Juan Diego (Our Lady of Guadalupe). The soon to be canonized teen, Carlo Acutis is also on the list. And the list goes on. All were Warriors, Servants, Leaders.
You don’t have to be a Saint to a Warrior, Servant, Leader. You just have to live life intentionally striving to be all three. You don’t have to make the news. Just be there for others, they will tell your story someday. They will share your Life Sentence when your journey is complete.
And you will share the Life Sentence at funerals for those who have impacted your life. So be encouraged, be committed, be a Warrior, Servant, Leader right where you are at today. To learn more, or to join a community of like-minded WSL’s, visit the website HERE.
--
About the author: Pat Welsh is a nationally recognized author, speaker, trainer and former expert witness in the USA law enforcement community. As a national trainer with the Southern Police Institute, University of Louisville, Mr. Welsh has trained thousands of law enforcement professionals, both civilian and military, in Command Officer Development, Strategic Management, Managing a Small Law Enforcement Agency, Legal Issues In Prosecuting Homicide Cases, Courtroom Survival, and Leadership. He is the host of The Warrior, Servant, Leader Podcast, found on all the major podcast platforms.
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