Leaving a Legacy

Like most people I was saddened to learn of the recent death of Whitney Houston.  It seems such a waste to see such a talented person taken from us.  As I read the tributes to her, one of her quotes stuck with me. “We all die. The goal isn’t to live forever, the goal is to create something that will.”

In other words to leave a legacy; to make an impact in the lives of others.  Certainly 
Whitney did that with her beautiful voice.  What would be your legacy?  Or are you too busy living your life, juggling all that you have to do in a day to be thinking beyond the immediate demands on your time?

Certainly if you have children you are leaving a legacy.  As parents, we all want our children to grow up to become healthy, happy adults and that is not as easy as this simple sentence sounds.

Children and youth today face so many pressures and a wide range of choices, that our best hope is that we have raised them to weigh up the odds and make sound decisions. What values would you want to instill in your children?

For me, kindness, respect and thinking of others have always been important.  Perhaps because I have worked for charities and seen the darker side of life, I believe that just one person, one adult can change the outcome for a child spiraling down a path of destruction.

Naïve maybe, but so often all we want as adults and children is to be loved, to feel we are worthwhile and that someone believes in us.

As a writer and author, I would like to believe that my written words and books will be my legacy too.  My goal with Day by Day was to give a real snapshot of what it is like to run your own business; the range of emotions you feel and the thrills of being successful, despite the trials and tribulations you may have to overcome to get there.

I also know through Company of Women that the organization I created has impacted thousands of women, helping them to realize that they are not alone, that they can realize their dreams when they believe in themselves and support each other.

But all of us leave a legacy in one way or another whether we realize it or not.  Just helping a neighbour or friend has an impact.  A kind gesture can change someone’s life and sometimes we will never know that, but trust me it does. 

So as you go about your day, think about what legacy you are leaving behind.  What have you done of late to make a difference?  What have you created that will live on beyond you?

Life is too short and fragile.  Don’t wait until your deathbed to regret what you could have done, but didn’t. Do it now.