My Signature...

I was sitting at my desk...fulfilling one of my company required responsibilities...

Approving and signing invoices!

He sat there quietly...as I completed the last one and took it from the daily mountain...and scrutinized it as if it was his responsibility to double check my work!

After a few minutes he announced..."Today we are going to work on your signature!"

I grabbed one of the papers and looked at my signature...it seemed good to me...official and consistent with the next one on the top of the pile...but I was game for anything...I didn't have any commitments for the next 2 hours!

"That is great!" I replied, "let me get a note pad!"

Fighting writer's cramps from my prior exercise...I wrote my name again...on the top of the pad! and asked, "So what would you like to see changed?"

He sat back and laughed!

"Some times you are so literal...you would have made a great soldier...if it wasn't for your questioning every order's value!"

I knew that I had...AGAIN...gotten myself into something more than I had bargained for!

Tearing that page from the pad...I said, "Let's start over...you tell me!"

So he told me to put my pen down and let's talk about signatures for a moment!

"A signature is your name!...it is a representation of what you are...and many times the only thing that remains long after you are gone!"

"I was just going through some old papers at home and found "the Mrs'" signatures all over them...even though her writing was no where on the documents!...that is the signature that I am talking about!"

Your signature is your meaning and your value...it is what you stand for and what you want to be remembered for!

In a way...your signature is your epitaph! It survives long after you do!

"So my question is...What is your signature?" he re-questioned...

I started to talk...and he stopped me!

You can't tell me...you can write it down...but that is for you and you alone!

You have to show me!

That takes time...because one act does not a habit make!

That is the substance of your signature and the effects the impact!

"Have you thought about what your signature is?"

"Have you thought about how your signature is formed?"

"Have you thought about what people think when they see your signature?"

"Have you thought about whether your signature is written with permanent ink?"

"Will there be people who try to copy your signature? Is it unique enough for it to differentiate itself from the forgeries? Will they be seen as frauds and criminals?"

"You are your signature!"

"Is it clear and legible? Can people others read it and recognize it without much effort?"

"Does your signature tell a whole story and is it shallow and superficial or deep?"

"Do you get where we are going with all of this?" AND then he stopped!

After a few minutes of quiet contemplation...he looked at me with a smile and said..."NOW sign your pad!"

So, like a good soldier...I signed it again...and...

He gently took the pad...looked at it...

It is different!

You got the message!

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You need to watch this "oldie-but goodie!"




Your signature must come from your heart in order for it to last!