How do you measure a life?

By what you accomplish? What you earn? What you own? How many people know your name?

Or is there a completely different measuring stick?

On this episode of Like It Matters Radio, Mr. Black explores an ancient question that every person eventually has to answer: What is the measure of my life?

Drawing from Scripture and ancient Jewish wisdom, Mr. Black challenges the way we define success and examines what our choices reveal about who we are becoming.

An ancient teaching attributed to Rabbi Ilai says a person can be recognized by three things: their cup, their pocket, and their anger.

In other words, character becomes visible at the pressure points:

• The cup: Who are you when your guard is down?
• The pocket: What do your money, resources, and opportunities reveal about what you value?
• The anger: Who do you become when you're frustrated, challenged, or don't get your way?

These aren't measuring sticks meant primarily for judging everyone around us. They're mirrors.

Because the ultimate measure of a life isn't simply what we've accumulated. It's what we've done with what we've been given.

Mr. Black is also joined by Autumn Christensen, Executive Director of Her Plan, to talk about what that looks like in action. Her Plan connects women facing unexpected pregnancies with a nationwide network of practical support, from medical care and counseling to housing, transportation, job training, material resources, and community.

Their conversation provides a real-world example of a larger question at the heart of the episode:

Are we living primarily for what we can get, or for what we can give?

Our time. Our money. Our abilities. Our influence. Our relationships.

They all become part of the answer.

Because the measure of your life isn't ultimately found in your résumé, possessions, position, or applause.

It's found in your character, your purpose, and the lives that are different because you were here.

So when your life is weighed, what will the scales reveal?

Inspiration. Education. Application.

When you live your life like it matters… it does.