My legacy has been on my mind a lot in the past year. Maybe I’m just at that age, or maybe my situation has me aware of these future things more than others around my age, but I’ve begun deeply thinking about and seriously planning my legacy.
The dictionary defines legacy as:
1: a gift by will especially of money or other personal property
2: something transmitted by or received from an ancestor or predecessor or from the past <the legacy of the ancient philosophers>
The intent of the word I’m referring to is more in line with the second definition, and it would appear according to Merriam-Webster’s website that a lot of people are thinking about their legacies (or simply don’t know the definition, which is entirely possible).
I’m not interested in gathering all I can to enjoy retirement, nor am I concerned about others say about my choice to pour my efforts into generational change.
I’m not out to save a tree.
I’m out to change family trees.
Passion
I’ve begun reading Almost Isn’t Good Enough by Wayne Elsey. In case you don’t recognize the name, he’s the founder of Soles4Souls and has provided millions of shoes many times over to those who don’t have access to footware. It’s not my niche, but it’s got the heart, the soul, and the abandon I admire.
I’ve told friends and readers many times, “If I could have all of my obligations met and a few creature comforts, I’d do what I do every day for free for those who couldn’t afford my services.” I’ve come a long way over the past 4 years to get to the point in my business that I feel successful, authoritative, and a subject matter expert.
A change in course – a new passion
It’s been many years in the making, but that’s not my driving force now, not the success or the status in my field.
In recent months, since becoming a foster parent, our life work has shifted. It’s not the work or the services I provide that are important to us now; it’s all about the kids, and if we can lift or even pull their families out of where they are now into a better place, we’re going to do it. It’s not easy because the system actually fights this despite their own training and research to do it “the right way.”
We don’t care. We’re talking about forever family change.
What is your legacy going to be?