He who dies with the most toys...dies.

I have had this quote in my office for the last few months and a number of people have asked me what it means and where this quote comes from.  It is a statement that is much deeper than it first appears.  The term "toys" refers to the "gifts" or "talents" or "skills" that each one of us has been given.  These toys have been given to us.  They are not ours, they have been only given to us to use.  Our responsibility is to give these gifts to others.   That is, we are to use our "toys" to help others, the less fortunate, the poor, the needy, the elderly, etc.  If at the end of our lives, we have not given our toys (or talents) to help others, then our soul dies.  Thus, he who dies with the most toys...dies.  That person's soul dies with them.  Do not let this happen to you.  Make sure you give your toys to someone, somewhere, every day.  How you do this, is ultimately, left up to you.

The quote is not an original.  I learned of it from a homily during some Sunday Mass the specifics of which I have since forgotten.  The priest had seen the quote somewhere and he thought is was inspirational.  I agreed with him, and have carried the quote around in my head from that day.  I decided to post it on my computer screen to remind me each day of what the truly important things are in life.  I hope you remember it as well.