We write our own history everyday.First, after last week's rant, I want to report: yes, I am okay. Thanks for those who asked and checked in. I was just a little tired and worn out, that's all. Happens to the best of us.Second, it amazes me how often people think I am writing about them in my preambles.The truth is these intros are seldom about one person or thing -- they honestly are about things I think about week to week or a pattern of events I observe. So, no, I assure you that rant was not about you or anyone else reading this newsletter. We're Friends after all -- if it was you, I would have told you directly....Okay, on to this week's less ranty preamble.... The best thing I read this week, and the article I have a feeling will be most read and shared by all of you as well, is the Last Word article on legendary football coach and TV personality John Madden.It's a collection of insights shared by people around him highlighting his personality, his leadership, his quirkiness and his innovative mind. Really cool inside look at this sports, business and pop culture figure -- you do not have to be a football fan to appreciate it.But what stood out for me most is that it was a bunch of well written stories being told about a storyteller. A few weeks back you may recall we discussed here the importance of storytelling -- whether you are in sales, marketing or just in general. Being able to tell a story makes us more effective communicators and increases connections. But there was a part of this article that took the idea even a step further for me.It was when it was described how John Madden gave the eulogy for his friend and commentating colleague Pat Summerall. In setting up the tribute, Madden told the crowd, in a very John Madden-esque sort of way, that one of the criteria for someone's greatness is: Can the history of what they did be written without mentioning their name?It's a reminder that what we do everyday, the "stories" we write with our actions, how we treat others around us and the influence we have on others is what determines how our name is mentioned when we are gone.You are already a storyteller of your own history. You are already crafting the narrative of how you will be remembered. What are you doing to connect people and have the impact that ties your name to the things they do and the successes they have?To John Madden, there would be no "John Madden" or NFL or college football or Masters golf or even "Murder She Wrote" TV show without Pat Summerall. He could connect all of the success of each of those things to one person. That is a pretty big tribute -- and a pretty nice ending to Summerall's story.This was also interesting timing because it came a little over two years from when we lost my wife's father. For those long time FoDs, you might remember that I wrote back then about the importance of honoring the "dash" that exists between our first day here and our last. Whether we realize it (or like it) or not, we are all storytellers. Perhaps as we get older we begin to understand this more. Nevertheless, I still think it's good to be reminded of that from time to time....Some good stuff in addition to the Madden article below too -- be sure to take a look. Enjoy the early spring weekend everyone!XOXODave