What Legacy Do You Want to Leave? : 9 Things I Want My Children to Remember
“What legacy do you want to leave?”
I was recently asked this question and it took a whole lot of soul searching to land where I am today. You see, when I was younger, I believed that you could only leave a legacy if you were wealthy so I was certain to be “off the hook” in that regard.
Turns out, we will all leave a legacy of sorts, whether intentional or not.
We will pen our legacy in the ways we face our fears, conquer obstacles, and interact with the world around us. The way we live our lives and respond to others will become the narrative used to speak of us when we’re gone.
While I don’t have a lot in the way of material things, I have a plethora of knowledge from my experiences. I am sharing with my loved ones along the way, in hopes that they may glean their own wisdom from my musings.
Here are a few life lessons from my dossier of life.
Leave them better than you found them. We’re all fighting our own battles, a kind gesture and a little compassion can go a long way. This goes for places too. Take a moment to pick up behind yourself, and push your chair in. I am notorious for cleaning up the hotel room before we leave.
Don’t be afraid to apologize. We all make mistakes, the sooner we own up to them, the better.
It’s okay if you don’t have all of the answers. One of my favorite things to say is, “I don’t know. Let’s figure it out.”
Carve your own path. I cannot begin to tell you how proud it makes me to watch my children navigate life. They each have their own passions and desires and I have FINALLY (after 22 years of parenting) figured out how to get out of the way and let them explore on their own.
Find your own faith. Take the time to figure out what you believe and why you believe it. Seek wise counsel. Dig into God’s Word. You will need this foundation when life gets rocky.
Ask LOTS of questions. In a world where we hear “because I said so” or “We’ve always done it that way” it’s time to start asking “why?”. I have always allowed my children to ask questions, as long as they did so respectfully.
There is always something new to learn. The moment we believe we “know it all” is the moment we stop living and start “being”. Try a new hobby. Learn a new skill. It might just be your new career path.
Observe and listen. There is a lot to learn by listening to people and observing your surroundings. And remember: Actions speak louder than words!
You do not have to earn your place in this world. I have spent my whole life trying to prove that I deserve to be where I am. We get to unapologetically take up our God-given space without striving and doing.
We won’t get it all right all of the time. Just so long as we are living with our eyes wide open, leaving room to learn and stumble along the way, we are sure to be leaving this place better than we found it.
What legacy are you leaving?