Living Your Legacy

Each and everyday that passes will never return. There will never be another day like today and as such, the present really could be considered a gift. If you’re like me, you’ve heard,maybe said it, but don’t live it. I’ve gotten lulled into complacency, taking today for granted and knowing I can do something else tomorrow. That sounds good when I say it, but the truth of the matter is; we really only have today. Tomorrow is an illusion. How I live and what I do today, becomes my history, my legacy.

One of the definitions of legacy is an amount of money or property left to someone in a will. Money and property have value and the inheritance of such may prove beneficial. My question is “What will be your legacy?” It’s what I ask myself on the days I don’t feel motivated. When I’m not inspired to work on particular project, I often mumble to myself that this will be part of my legacy. When I don’t like my answers, I get moving again. I lose a little sleep. I stay awake or ge up a little early. I dig in and get things done.

There are times we all may get a little tired. There are time we all may not be motivated or inspired There are a few questions I ask myself if I am lucky enough to remember, when those times hit. The reason it’s important for me is not today. It’s for my future self. My activity today shapes my tomorrow. I have live enough unproductive days to experience the consequences of that behavior. I’ve also lived enough productive days to reap the rewards. In each case, I have a preference for rewards versus consequences. Your preferences may differ and that’s totally ok too.

I’m living today, but thinking about what will be said of me when I am longer on the planet. I’m living today with thoughts of my legacy. It’s a simple enough concept. It may even be considered profound. I know one thing is certain, lying in a hospital bed unable to take care of myself was a game changer. It was a wake up call. Sadly, it’s not the first time. Something similar happened when I was a much younger man. That episode put me on a path quite different from my peers. In fact, I only speak with one or two friends from before that episode. This incident may play out in a similar fashion. Time will tell.

Today, Friday, May 10, 2024, I am grateful that:

I get to record the audio portion of my course today. I’ll leave home in less than an hour, hit the studio, and get it done today. Then there won’t be much left to finish.

I am willing to adapt to new things. If at first you don’t succeed, try try again comes to mind. I don’t keep trying until I assess if I’m doing the right things first. What I’m doing may be the absolute wrong thing. An unexamined life is a life not worth living comes to mind.

My physical recovery has progressed enough to move around, type, and walk far enough to get most of things I need done. Three months ago I couldn’t stand unassisted. Today, I’m able to get up and go for walks and what not without any pain medication. Taking my health granted may very well be part of my history and not my present or future. It’s okay, until it’s no longer okay.

Are you living with thoughts of your legacy?

What will people say a

This is the first part of the entry.