LEGACY is defined as anything handed down from the past, as from an ancestor or predecessor. Synonyms for LEGACY are words such as inheritance, birthright, bequest and heritage. Each of these words evokes the same thought for me.
"That SOMETHING precious is being given or shared with SOMEONE precious…"
When OUR children are born they need THINGS. So in preparation for their arrival, WE get them things! WE get so overwhelmed by all the tasks that must be done, that WE often overlook an important question that MUST be answered…
What LEGACY do WE want pass on to OUR child?
OUR Legacy should be about OUR character and who WE are as individuals. WE need to make sure that WE can clearly verbalize OUR Legacy to OUR children. For example, “I want to be HONEST, even when it is difficult. I want to think of ways to make the world a better place. I want to be someone who is respected because I carry myself with dignity and respect. Therefore, I want to PASS these important attributes on to my child, as part of my LEGACY.”
Most of US want OUR kids to be loving, smart, successful and wonderful! BUT what are WE doing to insure that OUR actions will ensure the above results?
TOO often WE as parents are inadvertently saying, “Do as I say not as I do!” THEN, WE have the nerve to be upset and disappointed when OUR kids are not doing what WE haven’t been able to do OURSELVES (surprise surprise)…
It boils down to an oldie but goodie concept of “Monkey see monkey do” (sorry but this is the first thing that popped in my head to illustrate my point ;) In other words, LEAD by example! If WE want OUR children to be and do THEIR best WE must be willing to SHOW them how “IT” is done!
How do I determine what I want My LEGACY to be?
WE have to take time to figure out what matters to US as individuals and try OUR best to figure out how to make those things matter to OUR kids. For example, being selfless is very important to me, so I try my best to instill selflessness in Nani (by volunteering with various organizations that allow children to volunteer as well). I want her to grow up seeing ME do what I say I want HER to do.
OUR children are OUR time capsules, they have the ability to preserve a part of US like no other. WE have to make sure that WE are living a life that exemplifies OUR Legacies.
After all, they deserve to have an “inheritance” to be proud of. When they talk about who WE are (in this world or up above), they should be able to feel prideful because WE left them with a Legacy like no other!
