Legacy
Sunday, July 26, 2009 at 01:56PM
I was listening to another great message by Joel Osteen today and he was talking about not judging people. Anyone. Not making preconceived presumptions about someone based on their looks or style or what you've heard about them. We are all guilty of this, certainly myself included. Joel used a phrase that I recall my former boss taught me and it sticks with me to this day; TAKE THE HIGH ROAD. If you've been reading my blog for the past year and half you know I always TRY to take the high road. Always. And I say TRY because I don't ever want to give the impression that I think I'm flawless and that I always do. I can be as immature and vindictive as the next guy. But more often than not, even though I may have those thoughts of wanting to prove myself "right" or get back at someone, I think about what God would have me do. It is usually NOT what's on my mind at that moment LOL. And it isn't easy. But when you follow another great adage (I think Oprah the wise one said this) "When In Doubt, Don't.", you will find that it actually FEELS better to not return anger with anger. Taking the high road will always feel better and be better for all involved. Period.
And then, this whole subject made me think of the word "Legacy" ~ it's a word my good friend Gary Vaynerchuk says a lot. He says "What's your legacy?" - what are you leaving behind every day, every week, every year for others to see? When you have a conversation with someone, anyone- even for 5 minutes- do you leave that person having made them feel BETTER?? Do you leave that person with a smile? Did you say something to cheer them up or encourage them? That is legacy. Legacy is created every day. Every interaction we have with people is an OPPORTUNITY TO DO RIGHT OR WRONG. Every word you say or everything you type online~ you make a concious decision to be kind, loving, encouraging and positive, or to be the opposite.
How do YOU want to leave this earth? When you leave a room, do people feel better that they spent time with you? Do they feel appreciated, loved, encouraged- do they FEEL BETTER ABOUT THEMSELVES? When you die, what will people say about you? Will they say you were giving, caring, encouraging, loving, kind and honest? Or will they say you were mean, hateful, vindictive and hurtful?
We are each responsible for our own legacy. We do not control anyone but ourselves. And it's not our place to try to control what others say and do. If others want to be angry or mean or bitter or hurtful, let them. Take the high road. Forgive them and love them even MORE. It gets easier each day, trust me. TRUST ME ON THAT ONE. Sometimes, you may experience people in your life that never change. That's tough- but when you know that YOU are giving them nothing but love and positivity from your end, you can go to bed at night and sleep with peace. That's a great feeling. Do you know how many people can't go to sleep at night because they have a guilty cloud over their head?
I have the HONOR {and I use that word very much on purpose here} of meeting amazing new people every week. I'm blown away by what I hear from them. I find it amazing that I Have the chance to meet them and hear their life story and how in some way I may have had an impact on them. And then THEY have an impact on me and I can share them with all my friends. Life is so good when you open yourself to others. And when you realize that your HAPPINESS, your PEACE OF MIND will never ever depend on any other person and their actions -but only on your own state of mind and your own actions- then you realize that happiness and peace of mind is achieveable EVERY DAY, every second.
It doesn't matter what others do or say. It doesn't matter about circumstances like the economy or job loss or arguements with friends or family or loved ones.....it just doesn't matter. Concentrate on you and on making the lives of those around you better in some way. You won't believe how small your problems will seem when you do that. When I focus on this, life is just amazing. When I'm selfish and small-minded and worry about retribution....my stress levels go up and I'm no good to ANYONE let alone myself.
Take time every day to remind yourself to BE KIND. I say that on my vlogs all the time right- but I'm serious. It's so simple. Be NICE. Be Kind. THINK about what you say before you say it. THINK about what you write before you write it. What you say and do and write- that is your LEGACY. Make your intentions honorable. Think about making every person's day BETTER not worse.
You may think this is SO CHEESY. I don't care. Have you hugged someone today?? When I was younger, I was soooo not into physical affection. My mom- who is the most awesome person on this earth, was very affectionate toward me and I was a pain in the butt little girl for a while. NOW- I hug everyone. Yea, I'm a hugger. Do you know how good it can make someone feel to hug them? Some people NEVER GET HUGGED or affection. You think you will regret hugging someone?? You won't. I promise.
Show love. I know this is a rather serious post but I've just become so much more aware lately, every day of how thankful I am for blessings in my life. And people are blessings- EVEN THE ONES THAT HURT US. Give them love and encouragement, even if it's from far away. And get up every day, and decide that you will be KIND in every way, to every ONE, with every word you say or write. I promise you, your life will get better every day if you do this. I promise you.
BOLLOCKS! The original link to this is now not available to embed but CLICK HERE to watch this 2 minutes of love.
Reader Comments (3)
Hi Kelly. VERY motivational and so true. You are such an inspiration. Tammy
;-) Thanks Tammy- I am surrounded by people that inspire ME!! ;-)
Hi Kelly - that is a great post and encompasses what I have been thinking lately about my own life. I am going to revisit this post and read it again when I need it. Thanks!