Packing for Adventure

Daily writing prompt

When you think of the word “successful,” who’s the first person that comes to mind and why?

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I don’t respond to all the daily prompts, but for this one, one name immediately jumped to mind.

I have been pondering on the recent passing of Russell M. Nelson. He had a more successful life than anyone else I can think of, at least who was alive in my lifetime. He was undeniably a remarkable man.

First of all, he was 101 years old when he passed- he made it to a much riper old age than most, and that in itself denotes success! Most people have a goal in life to live as long as possible; he definitely achieved that!

There are 3 aspects of his life in particular that would each on their own merit be enough to be exceptional. His medical career, his family, and his years and years of church service.

If your definition of success is tied primarily to career accolades, he’s got it. As a pioneering heart surgeon, he performed the first open-heart surgery in Utah back in 1955. My own father has benefited from his contribution to medicine. My dad had open-heart surgery a few weeks ago and his surgeons used a heart-lung machine developed by Russell M. Nelson.

In times past, success was measured by the ability to bring about posterity. Well Russell M. Nelson had 10 children, 57 grandchildren, and 167 great-grandchildren. A lasting legacy for sure.

He could have retired as a heart surgeon and still been extraordinary. However he didn’t get to enjoy a relaxing retirement. He was called to the ministry over 40 years ago. He did not ask to serve or lead, but he willingly and humbly spent the last 40+ years of his life in tireless dedication to church service around the world.

You don’t get much more successful than that.