What do you want your legacy to be?
Legacy, as defined by Merriam-Webster...
Recently, I've written about all of the change that has been happening in the lives of my wife and I. With all that is going on, I've begun this quest and have been writing here trying to work it out...trying to figure out what I'm supposed to do come January. But through this, it has occurred to me "What do I want my legacy to be?". On my deathbed, what will matter? What do I want my children, grandchildren, friends, family, etc. to remember about me? What do I want to be said at my funeral? What legacy am I leaving behind?
This question and perspective change everything for me. You see, my whole adult life I've been focused on providing a comfortable living for me and my family. But in the process, I fear I've failed them and myself by focusing on the wrong things. There is nothing wrong with making a comfortable living, but is that the right focus for me? Should I have focused on spending more quality time with my wife and daughters instead of working so many hours? Should I have focused more on serving at my church or serving others in my community? Should I have given more to the needy instead of feeding my hobbies and wants?
The question remains, what do I want my legacy to be? As I sit here typing, I believe I want my family and friends to know that I was a Christian...that I followed Jesus. That I cared about others, especially those different from me. I want people to say that I was gentle, kind, and helped those in need. I want to be remembered as someone who listened, who cared, and was there to lend an ear or offer advice. I want to be remembered as being generous. I want my family to remember my belly laugh and to share my passion for life. I want them to remember that I loved them deeply.
If I am taking my own advice, I know where I am and now I know where I want to end up, so what is my roadmap?
More to come on this...
1: a gift by will especially of money or other personal property: bequest
2: something transmitted by or received from an ancestor or predecessor or from the past
- the legacy of the ancient philosophers
3: a candidate for membership in an organization (such as a school or fraternal order) who is given special status because of a familial relationship to a member
This question and perspective change everything for me. You see, my whole adult life I've been focused on providing a comfortable living for me and my family. But in the process, I fear I've failed them and myself by focusing on the wrong things. There is nothing wrong with making a comfortable living, but is that the right focus for me? Should I have focused on spending more quality time with my wife and daughters instead of working so many hours? Should I have focused more on serving at my church or serving others in my community? Should I have given more to the needy instead of feeding my hobbies and wants?
The question remains, what do I want my legacy to be? As I sit here typing, I believe I want my family and friends to know that I was a Christian...that I followed Jesus. That I cared about others, especially those different from me. I want people to say that I was gentle, kind, and helped those in need. I want to be remembered as someone who listened, who cared, and was there to lend an ear or offer advice. I want to be remembered as being generous. I want my family to remember my belly laugh and to share my passion for life. I want them to remember that I loved them deeply.
If I am taking my own advice, I know where I am and now I know where I want to end up, so what is my roadmap?
More to come on this...
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