Legacy has been on my mind lately quite a bit. This thought is coming from a long stretch of thinking upon events that have recently transpired, from conversations with my good friend in college and from the understanding that life is so short.
Having a legacy is important. The reality behind life is that everyone leaves something behind. We cannot take our stuff, we cannot take our money, our business, our church, our families, or even our dogs when we die. Everyone begins and ends life the same way; alone. But there is something to be said about the realities of legacy. There is something to be said about the people who spent their lives inspiring others around them.
Think of the people who live in infamy. Think about the people who will be remembered forever and ever. Think of those individuals who have meant the most to you. There are a lot of amazing people who have come and gone. Once more, the legacy of those amazing people has them living on within us.
I did not know my grandfather. From what I am told, he was a man amongst men. They called him “Sparky”; a nickname that would follow him into his legacy. Amazingly, Grandpa Sparky has influenced me through the man he was. Parents tell me stories about the integrity, character, and closeness to God that he had and that in a lot of ways I look like him and even act like him in some cases. That legacy has been living for years after he passed and will continue to live on for generations to come.
I want to have a legacy so that last far after I am gone. And if you want to as well, here are some tips on how to do that (though this list certainly is not exhaustive and I encourage comments for more tips on how to gain a legacy):
1. See every day as another opportunity to live life to the fullest. Stay up late, go do something you would not normally try, and eat weird foods. Do things to the fullest!
2. Interact with people around you. There is no one too small. We have to be aware of how our lives will impact those around us and sometimes just a simple smile with a “hey” will make all the difference.
3. Give. Give some of your resources. Give some of your time (this is a big one), money (oh no he didn’t just say that), energy and give back wisdom, knowledge, and encouragement. If legacy depends on people telling your story, you should probably have some interaction with people in a positive light.
4. Last, and the list can go on forever, do good. My dad always told me that there is never a wrong time to do the right thing. And he is right. There really is not a wrong time to do the right thing and for that reason we should do good in this world. Let the good we do become the legacy we leave.
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Food for thought: What will your legacy be? Why not start working toward it today?
leadershape 