Most people make themselves invisible.

Some do it intentionally. Others do it without even thinking about it. The problem with being invisible is that you don’t leave a mark. You don’t make a positive impact. You waste an opportunity to get involved.

I was reminded of this recently during a Christmas gathering at our house. Throughout the day, ten kids under the age of fourteen came and went. Most of the time, they played Nerf wars, ping pong, or video games. But the next day, when I walked into my son’s room, I noticed something different.

One of the boys had carved his name into the top of my son’s wooden nightstand.

Now, most people would have been upset, and understandably so. A young man took it upon himself to carve his name into a piece of furniture. While it clearly wasn’t his brightest decision, one thing was undeniable. I knew he had been there. He wasn’t invisible like some of the other kids.

Which begs a few questions.

There’s a quote I think about often:
“Most people go to their grave with the music still inside of them.”

If you make your presence felt in a positive way, it’s hard to imagine going to your grave with the music still inside of you. And no, I’m not suggesting you carve your name into a nightstand, nor am I recommending that approach for every kid who comes into our house. I am suggesting that you choose not to be invisible and take positive steps to make your presence felt. Because you don’t make a positive impact by staying invisible.

And for what it’s worth, kudos to our friends who handled the situation well and used it as a teaching moment for their son. We all need parents like that.

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