What will come in your family lineage over the next 100 years? Consider Jonathan Edwards, one of the most intelligent men in the 18th century, a theologian, pastor, and prolific writer:
“An investigation was made of 1,394 known descendants of Jonathan Edwards of which 13 became college presidents, 65 college professors, 3 United States senators, 30 judges, 100 lawyers, 60 physicians, 75 army and navy officers, 100 preachers and missionaries, 60 authors of prominence, one a vice-president of the United States, 80 became public officials in other capacities, 295 college graduates, among whom were governors of states and ministers to foreign countries.”
There are fallacious comparisons of Edwards descendants vs. the descendants of a man named Jukes — the Jukes side is terribly misrepresented and incorrect in most accounts. Still, the Edwards story is remarkable. Edwards married a remarkable woman, and many of the people marrying into the lineage were remarkable as well. The accounts usually gloss over the fact that the Vice President was Aaron Burr — an amazing man in many respects but mostly remembered as a traitor to the United States.
The leadership lesson here? Your life is not just about you. We’re influencing family members, neighbors, colleagues, even people we do not know or will not meet. Though there’s plenty of mumbo-jumbo said about the interrelationships of all of us and the universe, no one should doubt that connections exist.
