Legacy

We never know what we have until it’s gone. We’ve all heard that hundreds of times. It could be our health, a relationship, or anything else in our lives that have meaning. I was recently hit with some sort of flu and boy it threw me for a loop. It’s amazing how much it can incapacitate you, leaving you at its mercy. I kept thinking about how unproductive I was, but there was nothing I could do about it. I learned a good lesson. I take life for granted when everything is fine and going my way. I’ve learned that it can all be gone with one illness. One day all of us will face the end of our lives. Maybe it will come through a long illness, or maybe it will be sudden. I don’t want to just sit around and wait for that day, I want to live life to the fullest. What does that actually mean? We all say it, but how do we do it? For some, it could mean skydiving or some sort of activity. To others, it could mean finding the love of their lives. I just want to leave something behind. I don’t have any children so I don’t have that legacy. So what kind of legacy can I leave the world when it’s my time to go? I hope I have been good to my friends and family. I hope the things I have learned in this life have been used to help others and not just for my own selfishness. I am not trying to be maudlin here, I do think about these things from time to time. I think it is healthy to think about our mark, our legacy. But the danger of thinking about it too much is to obsess about it and not do anything about it. So it all comes down to taking our life lessons and sharing them with those around us. As insignificant as they may seem, somebody may need to hear it. Be the best person you can be. Learn about things you were always interested in, but never took the time to really delve into. Share your experiences, and invest in the lives of your kids, friends, and family members. Extend yourself to the people you see every day. Maybe it’s the people you work with or the counter person at Starbucks. Don’t be afraid to extend yourself. It may seem awkward at first, but it will become routine behavior over time. You will feel better about yourself, and you will bring some sunshine to someone else. It’s a good start to living life to the fullest. Trust me, it won’t stop there.