Legacy: Give the Gift that Keeps Giving
One of the greatest gifts we can give to others is to be intentional about the life we live. Because the life we live is the legacy we leave. And, whether we are conscious of it or not, our legacy is always in process. More than how we choose to be remembered at the end of our lives, legacy is about being aware that we leave a footprint each and every moment of our lives.
Keenly aware of his footprint, my father was a striver, a doer, an architect of the soul. He was also a visionary who dreamed BIG. Forget about dreaming outside of the box. My dad dreamed outside of the building! Even as a little boy growing up in the Deep South of the 1930s, somehow he knew that getting a college education would be his ticket to freedom, liberating him from the shackles of poverty and racial oppression.
When he was in his early 20s, my dad’s life-long dream became a reality. He was able to attend college through the kindness of a reclusive, warm-hearted writer: Nobel Laureate William Faulkner. He blessed my family with his friendship and financial generosity, paying for my dad to attend college with no strings attached. Faulkner simply asked my father to pass the blessing on to others when he was able to so.
And so he did. My dad was all about growing and developing me and my four sisters, so we were the first beneficiaries of his promise to Faulkner. One of the reasons that I joyously develop and equip leaders is because somebody did it for me. And now, I have the honor, privilege, and responsibility to give to others the incredible gift that was given to me, to pass it on.
I believe there is a little bit of my father and Faulkner in all of us. We want to live with intention. To make a difference. To make our lives count. To become more conscious of the footprint we make.
But how?
Here are a few things you can do to become more conscious and aware of the footprint you will inevitably make in others’ lives.
1. Know that there is only one of you in all time. Now more than ever, the world needs your contribution… the one that is uniquely yours to make.
2. Know that every person matters.
3. Make gratitude a lifestyle. Begin and end each day by giving thanks for another glorious day to reach out and serve others.
4. Cultivate caring, meaningful relationships.
5. Build a road as you blaze new trails, to serve those who will walk behind you.
6. Build sturdy bridges to help others across the waters you learned to navigate.
7. Commit to life-long learning—for yourself and by pouring into others’ lives.
8. Give generously and without expectation of return. You never know who needs the warmth of your words or smile. And remember that it’s not our business to know.
9. Know that success is not about material fortune or fame. It’s about using your God-given gifts to sow into the lives of others.
10. Remember that it’s never about you.
When you do these things, you will give the gift of legacy… the gift that will keep on giving.
Love. Learn. Serve. Pass It On!
About the Author
Gloria Burgess is an inspirational speaker, best-selling author, and a featured writer for the John Maxwell Team blog.
About 20 years ago, she left her corporate career to launch her leadership consulting and executive coaching company. She loves nothing more than inspiring organizations and individuals to dig deeper, reach higher, and achieve the impossible.
The author of several books on leadership and legacy, Gloria is a member of the John Maxwell Team.
Contact Gloria at : http://www.johncmaxwellgroup.com/gloriaburgess/