Lifetime achievement

A Christmas cracker joke asks, 'What would you like people to say about you when you're in your coffin?'

One person answers, 'I'd like them to say I was a self-made businessman who used my wealth generously to promote the arts and provide sporting opportunities for the less advantaged.'

Another says, 'I'd like them to say I was a dedicated teacher who made a better future possible for many children, and who was a loving wife and mother.'

And the third says, 'When I'm in my coffin, I'd most like to hear them say, "Look - he moved!"'

The ambition to achieve something memorable in our life reflects a desire to make the most of the short time we have and perhaps to be remembered after we die.

But the real life work goes deeper than amassing achievements - the work of developing your own character.

Doing good deeds, which is the focus of many religions, is not the same thing at attaining integrity.

Jimmy Savile, as one example, had glowing obituaries written about his 'lifetime achievement' of charity work, and the terrible damage inflicted on vulnerable young people was only later revealed.

Good deeds, however many or significant, don't achieve anything that could compensate for the ruin of personal integrity.

What could it benefit anyone to gain the whole world - of influence, fame, achievements or even good deeds - and lose their soul?

What would you like people to say about you before you're in your coffin?

How about, 'Look - he/she is moving!'

While they're still breathing, there's time for anyone to check out how the real lifetime achievement is coming along, to do some heart-searching and turn their life around.