What is the legacy you want to leave behind?

Before I answer this question, I want to ask you to think about what kind of legacy you wish to leave behind. For some, their legacy is a political position they held. Think about the Kennedy’s, the Bush’s, Clinton’s, and so on. Maybe it’s wealth. Think of the Rockefeller’s or Biltmore’s. Maybe your legacy is a business you own, homes you’ve built, or wealth you will pass down to the next generation. Perhaps your legacy is humanitarian action, feeding and working with the homeless and those our society has cast aside. All of these are examples of a legacy people strive for, and many of them are very worthy legacies.

What legacy are you working towards?

There are some truths in regards to a legacy. Each and every one of us, regardless of financial or social status, will leave behind a legacy. Secondly, our legacy isn’t for us to enjoy while we are still living. According to Oxford Dictionary, a legacy is defined as, “the long-lasting impact of particular events, actions, etc. that took place in the past, or of a person’s life.” Some of you have inherited a legacy of pain caused by emotional, physical, sexual, or mental abuse or trauma. Just like a loving parent leaves a legacy of fond memories, love, and affection, a parent who neglected their children also leaves a legacy. Don’t believe me? There are countless counselors and therapists around the world that listen to individuals daily talk about how they were neglected or abused and how it affects their lives decades later.

What kind of legacy are you leaving?

I may have big dreams when it comes to certain things. What legacy I want to leave behind is not one of them. My idea of a legacy is actually quite simple. While it would be wonderful to be known around the world, I know that will never happen (despite hundreds of people around the world who have read my blog to date). I know my career in the military won’t be my legacy. Perhaps some of the photography work I’ve done could be a part of my legacy. But it’s simpler than that. I want my legacy to be my children. Whether they accomplish big things in life or not, I want my legacy to be that they know I stood by them. I want to be known as someone who stood firm in my faith, my values, convictions, and morals.

Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.

I Corinthians 16:13-14

This verse describes perfectly what I want my legacy to be. I want to be known as a man who stood firm, guarded and guided his family, was strong in the face of adversity, and who demonstrated the love of Christ to others in the best way I knew how.

One more thing is true when it comes to leaving a legacy: you have to start now. If I want to be remembered as the man I just stated, I can’t wait until the end of my life to start building that legacy. It has to start earlier than that.

So there you have it. That’s what I want my legacy to be. Pretty simple! What about you? Drop a comment below and share what you’d like your legacy to be.

As always, thank you for taking the time to read, and I appreciate your support and feedback.