A Brand-New Look
The layout has changed, but the blog is the same. I hope you like the new look. Every now and then you need to get brand-new in your life. Here's my moment. I'm calling it my new lease on celebrating life. Join me and read on. By the way, it looks like you can finally become a follower without jumping through hoops. Just look over at the right column and click on the "Follow" box/link that allows you to become a follower of this blog. Thanks!
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
What's Your Legacy?
Have you ever thought about that, maybe even been haunted by it? I've been giving it a lot of thought lately. Maybe it's because I'm a parent--three times over, actually. Maybe it's because I feel like I've lived almost half of my life already. The question is, what do I have to show for it? And, more importantly, what will I do with the rest of it? What's my legacy? There are so many ways that you can interpret that, right? It's a weighted question, if nothing else.
Narrowing It Down
What do we even mean by legacy, first of all. It could be related to work, religion, family, financial status. I'll leave the parameters up to you for now. Still, since I brought it up, I figure it's only fair to use my own musings as an example. For me, the question came up within the context of my role as a mother and, on a larger scale, as a member of society. What can I begin, achieve, leave behind, that will somehow make a difference in the lives of my children as well as in the world at large?
I have to admit, I've felt as if I'm at some sort of crossroads lately. That's probably why it's taken me so long to get here, to this latest blog. I've had lots of ideas, but nothing seemed meaningful enough until that question popped up during a late-night/early morning journaling session: What's my legacy? My legacy. I haven't fully answered the question yet, but I have begun the hunt for meaning.
Finding Meaning
I want my legacy to be more than just paying lip service to people in this world who may or may not care about me and mine. Do you know what I mean? Well, as I write, I realize that my legacy is still under construction, and it's comprised of a few dreams that I have yet to fulfill, like the three books that I have to get out of me before they burn a hole right through my tortured writer's soul. But I digress...
I know that my legacy is taking shape. Yes, there is hope for all of us who may have dreams, and even lives, deferred. It begins with the physical, and forgive me if it seems cliche', but it's a fact: my legacy begins with the three dear hearts that I've been blessed to call my children. They are a physical manifestation of my legacy. What's even better is that they motivate me to want to build upon that legacy, to have something to call their own. So, how do I, how do we, get there?
Getting There
Well, for starters, you don't have to be a parent to have a foundation. Children are just one part of the equation, if you have them. There's also a little something known as your life's work. And it may be totally unrelated to your day job. Your legacy begins with your calling. Sounds simple enough, but what are you really called to do? For me, that's a heavy question.
It takes me back to late-night chats in college with close friends and acquaintances. We sat in intimate circles and talked of being called, of knowing we were meant to do something that would change the world. I still feel that way. And I believe that my legacy begins with writing, with reaching the world through the written word. Fortunately, this blog has become a part of that journey. Now it's your turn. What are you called to do, to change, to agitate, even? What have you done about it so far? Whatever your answer, keep your head up. You can start the process, no matter how small those first steps may seem. The time is at hand. Seize it.
Ever dreaming,
Regina
Have you ever thought about that, maybe even been haunted by it? I've been giving it a lot of thought lately. Maybe it's because I'm a parent--three times over, actually. Maybe it's because I feel like I've lived almost half of my life already. The question is, what do I have to show for it? And, more importantly, what will I do with the rest of it? What's my legacy? There are so many ways that you can interpret that, right? It's a weighted question, if nothing else.
Narrowing It Down
What do we even mean by legacy, first of all. It could be related to work, religion, family, financial status. I'll leave the parameters up to you for now. Still, since I brought it up, I figure it's only fair to use my own musings as an example. For me, the question came up within the context of my role as a mother and, on a larger scale, as a member of society. What can I begin, achieve, leave behind, that will somehow make a difference in the lives of my children as well as in the world at large?
I have to admit, I've felt as if I'm at some sort of crossroads lately. That's probably why it's taken me so long to get here, to this latest blog. I've had lots of ideas, but nothing seemed meaningful enough until that question popped up during a late-night/early morning journaling session: What's my legacy? My legacy. I haven't fully answered the question yet, but I have begun the hunt for meaning.
Finding Meaning
I want my legacy to be more than just paying lip service to people in this world who may or may not care about me and mine. Do you know what I mean? Well, as I write, I realize that my legacy is still under construction, and it's comprised of a few dreams that I have yet to fulfill, like the three books that I have to get out of me before they burn a hole right through my tortured writer's soul. But I digress...
I know that my legacy is taking shape. Yes, there is hope for all of us who may have dreams, and even lives, deferred. It begins with the physical, and forgive me if it seems cliche', but it's a fact: my legacy begins with the three dear hearts that I've been blessed to call my children. They are a physical manifestation of my legacy. What's even better is that they motivate me to want to build upon that legacy, to have something to call their own. So, how do I, how do we, get there?
Getting There
Well, for starters, you don't have to be a parent to have a foundation. Children are just one part of the equation, if you have them. There's also a little something known as your life's work. And it may be totally unrelated to your day job. Your legacy begins with your calling. Sounds simple enough, but what are you really called to do? For me, that's a heavy question.
It takes me back to late-night chats in college with close friends and acquaintances. We sat in intimate circles and talked of being called, of knowing we were meant to do something that would change the world. I still feel that way. And I believe that my legacy begins with writing, with reaching the world through the written word. Fortunately, this blog has become a part of that journey. Now it's your turn. What are you called to do, to change, to agitate, even? What have you done about it so far? Whatever your answer, keep your head up. You can start the process, no matter how small those first steps may seem. The time is at hand. Seize it.
Ever dreaming,
Regina
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