Live Your Life Leaving a Legacy
Recently, my family and I traveled to spend quality time with our extended family members over the Christmas and New Year's holiday. Typically whenever it is time to part ways, and we must return home, I am always sure to be mindful and do anything I can to help make a positive impact even once I have left and gone away. The most recent time I have done this, was when it was time to pack-up, say adios to our family, and head back home. Once the car was packed and we were ready to leave, I quickly grabbed the vacuum and started cleaning the floors. Of course, I didn't have to do this, but, I couldn't help but to do any little last tasks I could, to leave a positive impression once I departed.
When I was in the moment, I began reflecting on myself, and, I couldn't help but have a moment of 'heart-smile', imagining myself from the outside looking in, when I realized: this is my legacy. Those instances and those choices are the times when I am laying the foundation of my legacy. Those are the times others will always be able to reflect on, and remember me. And, honestly, what a better way to be remembered than to have been helpful, kind, hospitable?
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Whether it be when we move from one place to another, or pass on from this life, our legacy is the lasting impact we leave behind us when we go. Legacy can be considered the footprint of our life; even after we have gone away our legacy will continue to influence and inspire others for years and years yet to come.
In the grand scheme of it all, our legacy is the culmination of our actions, values, contributions, and memories we have created in the lives of those around us. It is safe to say, our legacy is directly connected to how others will remember us when we are no longer present.
When it comes to legacy, there are multiple facets for the different faces of our lives. From my perspective, it can simply be broken down into 4 segments.
- Personal Legacy, this is how our relationships, kindness, and loving presence will be remembered by those close to us, like friends and family.
- Professional Legacy, this speaks to the impact of our work, creations, and contributions in our profession.
- Cultural Legacy, this refers to the traditions, values, and beliefs that will carry forward for years to come.
- Spiritual Legacy, this is how the moral guidance, hope, and faith you've instilled into others will live through the course of time.
When I think of Personal Legacy, Fred Rogers comes to mind. Fred created a personal legacy rooted in kindness, compassion, and understanding. On his TV show, Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, he taught his viewers the value of empathy, self-acceptance, and being caring towards others. His gentle approach to life continues to inspire generations to foster personal connections and treat others respectfully.
Steve Jobs left a great example of Professional Legacy. As the co-founder of Apple Inc., Steve revolutionized the tech industry with innovative products that are constantly in-demand. Steve Jobs left a professional legacy that shaped the way people interact with technology. He created a standard for design, creativity, and user experience that has left an influence worldwide.
Reflecting on Cultural Legacy, Maya Angelou comes to mind. Maya's poetry, autobiographies, and activism profoundly impacted culture. Maya's bravery and outspokenness brought issues of race, identity, and human rights to the forefront. Her works continue to empower voices and inspire movements of equality and justice.
Mahatma Gandhi is widely recognized for the Cultural Legacy he has left for current generations and generations yet to come. Gandhi's philosophy of nonviolence and his spiritual teachings on truth, simplicity, and humility have profoundly influenced global movements for peace and civil rights. Mahatma Gandhi's spiritual legacy inspired leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. and Nelson Mandela; his principles continue to act as a cornerstone for nonviolent activism around the world.
Legacy can best be described as having traits of intentionality, continuity, and connection. A legacy does not come about by accident, it is the result of purposeful choices and actions, which is to be intentional. Our legacy will be what persists, shaping thoughts, actions, and environments beyond our natural lifetime, which is continuity. Furthermore, a legacy connects us to future generations, making us a lasting part of a larger story in life itself.
Reputation is how people perceive you in the present, whereas Legacy is what people will remember about you once you've passed away. Reputation tends to shift with time, while Legacy is the enduring story of your life.
Legacy motivates others to carry forward your values or visions once you pass on from this lifetime. Legacies often improve the lives of others through lessons, systems, or traditions you've left behind. Legacy allows us to live on in the memories, stories, and actions of others, which tends to make it of utmost importance, when we reflect on it.
Let's explore the possibilities and work together to formulate a blueprint on how to live our lives leaving a Legacy.
Leaving a Legacy beings with discovering our personal and life purpose. When we discover our purpose in life, we begin to really learn ourselves and find ourselves reflecting on our impact in the world. When we live a life of purpose, inevitably, we are leaving a Legacy others can glean from.
Purpose can be defined as the guiding principle or mission in life that lends you a sense of fulfillment and worthiness. Our purpose does not have to be something monumental, it can be as simple as having a desire to live as a source of love and stability for our family. The beauty of Purpose is, everyone has one. And, each persons purpose differs from that of the next person, etc. Although at times we will enjoy the pleasure of having a shared purpose with our peers, most times, our purpose will be entirely unique to each of us, individually.
Questions to help identify purpose:
- What are my deepest passions?
- In what way do I feel called to solve problems in the world?
- How do I want to be remembered by others?
Discovering ourselves and identifying our purpose is a journey, not a one-time decision; inevitably self-introspection will guide us along our way. When we embark on the journey of self-discovery, we should expect a process of trial and error. Additionally, our open-mindedness to growth will be what drives us to success on our journey!
Steps to help us in Self-Discovery:
- Write down your passions, values, and skills.
- Create a vision board and journal your thoughts about your legacy.
- Make choices and take small actions aligned with your passions.
While grand gestures are sure to leave an impression that can last a lifetime, it is the ripple effect of small, consistent actions that improves the lives of others. An accumulation of small actions equips us with the power to create a positive impact and ultimately make the world a better place, thus, leaving a Legacy.
Ways to Create a Positive Impact:
- Acts of kindness like listening, mentoring, or simply being present.
- Share a smile, it can change the trajectory of someone's life.
- Lead by example, stand by your values and live authentically, encouraging others to do the same.
- Share with others how consistent actions build trust and respect amongst your community.
Practical Steps to Get Started:
- Write a thank-you note to someone, donate to a cause, or help someone in need.
- Join or start a community initiative that aligns with your passions.
- Ponder your unique skills or resources and consider how you can utilize them to help others.
- Reflect on who has made a positive impact in your life and how you can emulate them.
Challenge yourself to take one intentional action each week, creating a positive impact in your life somehow—whether it's helping a friend, supporting a local cause, or sharing someone's story to help inspire others.
The foundation of a meaningful Legacy is relationships. The bonds we create with others and the way we nurture them will leave a mark on their lives long after our presence. A Legacy of connection, trust, and love is one built on strong relationships.
Genuine relationships are built on honesty, vulnerability, and mutual respect. Although it may seem common to have many relationships, it is the depth of our relationships that matters most. When we invest time and energy into our personal and professional relationships through listening, being present, and showing empathy to others, we will notice many positive benefits over time. We will begin to see our Legacy forming right before our eyes.
Ways to Build/Maintain Relationships:
- Make time for those who matter, scheduling regular check-ins.
- Ask meaningful questions and be intentional in your interactions with others, giving your undivided attention and actively listening.
- Celebrate milestones, lend a helping hand during others' times of need, and be a source of encouragement to those around you.
- Strengthen your bonds with the key people in your life,
- Create valuable memories with your loved ones.
Excellence is about always striving to do our absolute best. A Legacy of excellence occurs when our work, actions, and values inspire others to aim higher and create their own memorable, remarkable achievements.
Not to be mistaken for perfection, excellence is the commitment to consistently improve and give our best effort, When we pursue excellence, we push our boundaries, set new standards, and leave a mark on the world through our dedication and hard work.
Pursuing excellence is such a profound component to inspiring others to pursue their dreams and create lasting change that can have a positive impact on everyone. Excellence in work, art, and leadership leaves a tangible legacy that continues to influence others over the course of time.
Perseverance, adaptability, and learning from our failures are all surefire ways to pursue excellence and render remarkable results. The path to excellence is often marked by setbacks, but those setbacks are meant to be stepping stones along our journey. Those very setbacks will become the cornerstones of our success.
Ways to Begin our Pursuit:
- Identify your strengths, focus on areas where you can excel and make a significant impact.
- Commit to lifelong learning, read often and take courses to brush up on skills or acquire new knowledge.
- Celebrate your small wins and recognize progress even if it's just a little.
Whether it's starting a new project, refining a skill, or tacking tasks with a renewed determination and focus, you have what it takes to pursue excellence!
Our life's story is a tapestry of experiences, lessons, and achievements. Documenting our journey is a great way to ensure that our legacy is preserved for future generations, which in turn serves as both an inspiration and a guide. Memories fade with time but written words, photos, and artifacts are known to endure.
Capturing our personal reflections, goals, and day-to-day experiences in journals and diaries allows others to understand our values, decisions, and the impact we've made even once we've physically passed away. Books, paintings, music, and other projects that express our individuality will also endure time and live on as a testament of our Legacy. Blogs, social media, and videos can preserve our voice and reach global audiences.
Family traditions and story telling are also impeccable ways to document our journey and imprint our Legacy, reinforcing our identity and belonging throughout the generations yet to come.
Steps to Start Documenting Your Journey:
- Start a journal, reflecting on key moments, lessons you're learning, and goals you've achieved.
- Create a Legacy project in which you write a memoir, compile a photo album, or curate a personal blog.
- Involve loved ones and invite them to collaborate with you to preserve shared memories and traditions.
It's never too late to start documenting your journey! Whether by writing down a memory, recording a video, or organizing old photos, remember to document your journey and consider how your story will be told when shared with others.
As hard as it can be to believe, a true Legacy is not measured in total by the amount of material possessions we acquire, rather, it is also measured by the intangible contributions we give to others that shape lives and communities for generations to come. Living with values, sharing wisdom, and giving acts of kindness to others leaves the most enduring mark on the lives of those around us.
When it is our time to leave this earth, we will be remembered one way or another. We can be remembered for what we owned, or, we can be remembered for how we made others feel and/or what we taught them, and the list goes on. It is important to consider how we want to be remembered by others, both in the short-term while we are still alive, and in the long-term once our time here expires. Moral guidance, personal values, lifelong lessons, shared experiences, and family traditions are all priceless and timeless ways to leave a Legacy incomparable to any amount of wealth.
When we treasure values like integrity, resilience, empathy, and generosity from one generation to the next, we can continue to see these values being passed down to future generations for many, many years to come. Living authentically inspires others to embody those values as well. We can live our lives as a living example and lay the foundation of our Legacy once we pass away.
Ways to Create a Legacy Beyond Wealth:
- Define your core values and align your daily actions with them.
- Share your wisdom with others through letters, video recordings, or have open conversations with loved ones to give useful insight.
- Focus on being of service to others through volunteering, mentoring, or advocating for a heartfelt cause.
Remember, our wisdom and shared experiences can guide loved ones in making decisions and overcoming challenges in their own lives. Take time to reflect on your non-material Legacy and take action towards using your time and talents to make a lasting difference, forever.
Living our life leaving a legacy means thinking about both present and future generations. A commitment to sustainability ensures our Legacy will contribute to a healthier planet and richer life for generations yet to come after us. Sustainability can be defined as the responsible use of resources to meet our daily needs without compromising the future generations ability to meet theirs. The concept/practice of sustainability applies to environment, community, and even personal habits.
When we apply small changes in our daily habits, such as reducing waste, conserving energy, choosing eco-friendly products, etc., we trigger a positive cumulative impact. Additionally, things like planting trees, reducing plastic use, and caring for our planet are instrumental in maintaining sustainability through time. If we anticipate leaving a positive impact and upholding a strong Legacy, we should find enjoyment in leading by example and showing younger generations the value of respecting and protecting our planet.
Practical Steps for Embracing Sustainability:
- Reduce your carbon footprint by utilizing public transport, eating more plant-based meals, and minimizing energy consumption.
- Support sustainable initiatives like volunteer clean-up projects, donations to environmental causes, and advocacy for eco-friendly policies.
- Create a Legacy project by planting a garden, starting a recycling program locally, and even educating others about sustainability.
Even the smallest and most simple daily modifications and mindfulness can make a great impact for the future and uphold a Legacy worth looking back on!
Our Legacy begins with the choices we make today. Whether it's a small act of kindness, starting a personal project, or documenting your dreams, every step contributes to the story you will leave behind. Remember, a Legacy is not about perfection or grand gestures--it is most important to live intentionally and make meaningful connections.
Live Your Life Leaving A Legacy!
