Leaving a Legacy

Have you ever thought about the legacy you are leaving? The word, legacy, is using considered something handed down from one generation to the next.  What are YOU doing to pass down to the next generation.  How do you want to be remembered? 

About 10-years ago, when I was working with the National Cancer Institute, I attended a ceremony that discussed "leaving your legacy." I'm not really sure what the key points were to the presentation but I started thinking about my LEGACY. What will my children learn from me? What will others remember about me? What can I do everyday in my life to leave my legacy? 

Today, I am reminded about how I will leave my legacy and I encourage you to think about what you will do. Today and hopefully everyday I hope to (1) "show up" whenever possible, (2) advocate for yourself and others (3) speak from your heart and mind, (4) don't be afraid to speak with leaders and (5) have faith and courage. 

Cancer has really impacted my life - especially what I can and can not do on certain days.  My first key point "show up" whenever possible means I want for myself and my children to not just show up physically to a commitment but show up mentally and emotionally too.  Be 100% committed to whatever you are doing.  Give all that you are and all that you have to the task.  For my kids, don't just show up for class but absorb all the information you can from the teacher! If there are distractions, try to push those out and do all you can to be 100% present in the moment.  Interact with the teacher or coach or situation so that you receive all the rewards the situation has for you.    

As a Public Health Practitioner, I have lived my professional life telling others the importance of advocating for others.  Now that I am a cancer patient, I understand more than ever the importance of advocating for myself.   God has given us a voice to speak up in when you or others are not being treated properly.  As I am raising three children, I almost daily tell them to advocate for others. This fact will be important for them now - as students, when they become professionals in the work-world, and when they become a spouse and have children. I am trying to instill in my sons how to treat females.  In the light of the Harvey Weinstein nastiness, I need to think ahead of how my boys might react to sexual situations, when they are older.  I want them to respect women on all levels and in any situation, think with their brains and not other body parts.  This is my prayer.  I also pray that my daughter will advocate for herself when it comes to fighting off boys sexual advances that I know will someday happen; in addition to advocating for herself in the workplace/world when a man's idea is taken over a hers.  I also want all my children them to advocate for others who don't have the voice to speak up for themselves. Any injustice is wrong and it is our duty to advocate for anyone who can't do so for themselves, make the world better.   

One way to advocate is to speak from your heart and mind.  Think about what you want to say; say it respectfully and with dignity.  I have to say, this is sometimes I struggle saying things respectfully and with dignity.  When I was in my 20's a dear friend told me that I have a very reactive personality - if someone says something in a nasty tone to me, I often react in the same tone.  Some 20-years later, I find myself sometimes in difficult situations. It is my behavior towards a situation that can dictate an outcome. On a daily basis, I want for my family to be mindful of what they say and how they say it.  Our words are powerful and can effect change.  My prayer is that the words I speak, and the words my family speak, can come from our hearts and that we can be respectful and act with dignity in any situation.  

Sometimes in life, we are put in situations were key leaders need to know what you are experiencing or wanting to change.  We need to remember not to be afraid to speak with leaders.  Sometimes, it can be intimidating to speak up and voice your concern. It can be intimidating to go against the flow. Don't just talk to be heard, talk to make a change! 

Lastly, have faith and courage! Life is not always going to be easy. We are not entitled to a single thing in life, we need to work for everything on earth but what we don't have to work for is that, with our faith in Jesus, we are ensured a place in heaven.  Our faith ensures God's love on us and that his grace frees us from all our wrongs.  Have faith in something bigger than yourself, have courage to stand up for yourself and others, and to fight for what you believe in! 

Until I blog again, God's blessings to each of you.