Legacy of a Lifetime

Have you ever sat and contemplated how people will remember you after you die.  Will the things you did and the relationships you built matter? When your loved ones are at your funeral celebrating your life will there be story after story of how you impacted their lives?

I spent much of my childhood longing for the days that I got to spend with my grandparents.  They were only a three hour drive away which allowed frequent visits but as a child three hours seemed like forever.  I would sit at the window counting down the minutes and knowing that soon the blue lumina would pull into the driveway.  The time that I spent with them were some of the best days of my life. My Grandma is so amazing at making you feel as though you are her favorite. I joke about it now but it remains true, every one of her grandchildren believe that they are her favorite.  

My grandfather passed a few years ago but yet the memories live on. My Grandma is still the amazing woman that she has always been. The relationships that they were able to create along with a faith in God and a love for sports are all a part of the legacy they have created that will carry on long after they are gone.

Leaving a legacy can mean something different to everyone.  Some may see it as financial stability that can be created in life and passed on to loved ones after death. It could be the way you raise your children or the way you contributed to a worthy cause.  There are many ways to define what it means to leave a legacy,

What Will Be Your Legacy?

As we come to the end of August which just happens to be “What will be your Legacy Month?”, the question is what will be YOUR legacy?  What are some of the ways you are creating a legacy that will carry beyond your lifetime?

No matter your age or stage of life it is not too early or too late to begin to create your legacy with intention.  Some questions to ask yourself are: How do I want to be remembered? What are my values and am I living in a way that if I passed would my life have the impact on friends, family and the world that I desire.  If you have never thought about it or do not feel that you currently are creating a legacy that you will be proud of this is the perfect time to start moving toward that with intention.

Once you have listed your values in order of importance start at the top of the list and go from there. If your number one value is finance start to create a plan that will allow you to leave behind the legacy of financial freedom. If family is number one, find ways to build relationships with your loved ones.  Maybe you have a cause that is close to your heart. Make plans to start a charity or volunteer for one already in existence. There are so many amazing ways to create a legacy that will last more than a lifetime!!

“The idea is not to live forever, but to create something that will”

Andy Warhol