Tag: legacy

Daily Remember What’s Important To You

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Information overload is a common danger most of us face today. I recently had a conversation with a long-time friend about how much things have changed since our school days. We went to school before computers and the internet—back when typing involved using White-Out (look it up!).

In those days, we had to search hard for information. We relied on libraries, the radio, or actually going to hear someone speak—that is, if you could even find out where they were appearing. While I don’t miss the difficulties of those days, I now have to be highly intentional about controlling the flood of information coming my way. If I don’t, I will forget the few things that are truly important to me.

Here is the simple way I protect my focus and remember what matters: I review the same document every morning.

This document contains my deepest thoughts and the core concepts I want to live by. While the specific words and focuses sometimes change, these notes serve as constant reminders of my identity, my values, and my purpose. One of my favorite sayings in it is: “My life has authority from the autonomous monotony of the daily disciplines of life.”

There is immense power in the daily ordinary. This simple morning habit keeps me grounded. Every single day, I am reminded of who I am, what I believe, and what I am pursuing.

Your legacy is built daily.

It is your legacy. Leave a good one.

The Power of Words: Leaving a Lasting Legacy

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Words hold lasting power and influence.

I have old family photos, World War II pictures, and many stories shared over the years about my dad. Yet, the stories written down by others provide the most lasting memories of the short years I spent with him.

The month my dad died, his company printed a story in their monthly newsletter. The article described his daily struggle with cancer. It noted how he still worked a full day and served civic and charitable causes. When someone asked him why he kept so busy, he said, “Helping others keeps me alive.”

His life and legacy of service have become my story and my legacy—simply because they were written down.

I have forgotten most of the spoken words about my dad. But at least once a year, I look at that folded newsletter in my sock drawer. It reminds me of his life of service.

What will your kids and grandkids pull out of their sock drawer one day to read about your life when you are gone?

Write it down

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Leaving a Wake

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Boats leave wakes. Water fans out from the rear of a moving boat creating a ridge on both sides. Directly behind the boat the water is flat.

Years ago my sons and I would take our boat, a 16ft Semi-V Carolina Skiff with a 40 horsepower motor, out into the Atlantic Ocean. The biggest challenge going into the ocean was getting through the Palm Beach Inlet. All inlets are dangerous, especially for a small boat. Our strategy was to wait for a larger boat to go ahead of us then we would settle behind them in their wake and go out through the inlet. We would follow them into the ocean.

The bigger boat would cut through the choppy waters and provide some protection from boats coming into the inlet from the opposite direction.

The boat we would follow often did not know we were behind them in their wake. They were focusing on passing through the inlet safely too.

We only needed to follow them for 800 yards … just enough to pass through danger safely. We only needed calm waters for 60 seconds or less and we would safely move forward through the inlet.

Did you know that you are leaving a wake. Your family and friends benefit from the path you set over rough waters.

The wake of your life is carrying people you do not even know. It may be brief, but it will be essential to their safe passage. Lead well and influence the next generation by leaving a good wake.

Leave a good wake. It is your legacy.

Noticed

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Do you ever wonder if anyone notices you and the work you do?

I was part of a Fall Festival with games and food for families on Saturday. Many volunteers and staff worked hard. We were proud of our service and everyone enjoyed the event.

The next day, after church, someone gave me a note. It said, “… your behind the scenes works are such a great part … I just wanted to let you know how much you are appreciated.”

During my normal work I am noticed and encouraged. My tank is usually full. It is a great workplace.

Yet, we all wonder… does anyone know what I do? The note. It felt good and now sits on my home desk. It’s just a reminder… we are noticed.

You may not receive a note, but you are noticed.

You are leaving a legacy … leave a good legacy.

PS. Write someone a note … it may be the only encouragement they receive.

Talk it Out

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Facing decisions can be confusing. Welcome to the club. What can you do?

Talking with a trusted friend or confidant allows you to express what you are thinking, feeling and wondering about for your life. Just saying things out loud helps bring clarity to your thoughts.

Give someone a call for coffee (or tea) and tell them you need someone to help bring clarity to what is swirling around in your head.

As individualistic as I am, the few that I bounce off what I am thinking help me move forward. They don’t give me answers, they simply help me have a better perspective.

Talk it out and leave a good legacy.

Suffering

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The bigger your adventure the more hardship and suffering you will face. There is always a cost.

After completing The Great Floridian Triathlon the muscles in my legs were in knots and my feet were in shock. In preparing for the marathon I did not train by walking. Thus, my feet were soft from only swimming and biking. I paid for it.

When my wife and I arrived at the hotel I collapsed on the bed. She removed my shoes and over the next 45 minutes used a warm wash cloth to remove my blood soaked socks that had embedded in my feet. It was bad. I hobbled for days.

Yet, it was worth it. I left a new story in the legacy that I am leaving to my family – Finish Well!

Pursuing anything – an adventure, a relationship or a new career will include hardship and suffering. You will probably not physically bleed, but you will pay a price.

It is your legacy.

Tell your story and include the bloody socks. They will never forget what you went through in pursuing your dream.

A Crazy Plan

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Your kids and grandkids love the details of how you pursue your dreams and adventures, even if they are crazy.

March 2012 – If I could swim 2.4 miles without drowning in open water, and if I could ride a bike 112 miles, then surely I can walk 26.2 miles to finish. That’s all I want to do is simply finish and get the t-shirt.

After telling my wife, the first thing I did was to go to the community pool. If I can’t swim, then the dream is crushed again, but it’s worth a try. Drowning is not an option. I researched swim training. I’m slow – real slow. But, I make progress.

The biggest decision was which triathlon to attempt. I settled on a race called the The Great Floridian in Clermont, Florida. It was only a few hours away from home, but most importantly, the results from the previous years included the times and names of those who finished after the ending time of 1:00 a.m. This meant that if I didn’t finish by the race’s official cut off time, they would still “keep the lights on”. This proved to be my best decision.

The Great Floridian – October 2012 – Paid the Registration. Let’s go!

Tell the details of your big adventure. Let your kids know how you planned or researched something that was important to you. The details make the story come alive.

Pay the registration.

It is your legacy. Tell the story.

(This is Part 4 of attempting an endurance triathlon.)

Welcome to Spin Class

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February 2012

I was instructed on spin bike basics, the music cranked up, we stretched, we pedaled and by the time the class was over, I thought I was going to die! I was dripping with sweat and my water bottle was long depleted yet, I was energized. Sitting, standing, climbing, tension on then off the wheel, heart rate up, heart rate down (sort of) was the routine.

The instructor would call out, “Mind, body, bike!” and “Pain is weakness leaving the body!” The clarity and brevity in his words, seasoned with encouragement and challenge, allowed the focus of the class to be on one’s own personal development. He would say, “This is your workout.”

I came back to the next spin class and then the next. Amazingly, my knees had no pain and my legs felt like they were stronger. I’m loving spin class!

One day the class was working hard and the instructor tells a motivational story of how he completed the Ironman in Hawaii. What? It’s been 22 years since I thought of that race, but for the remainder of the class it was all I thought about. The Ironman.

I go home. It’s March. I have a crazy idea. If I can swim, then bike, I’ll just walk the rest of the way.

Some dreams never die they are just delayed.

Give your children and grandchildren a window into one of your adventures. They want a piece of your life. They want to know what you were thinking and how you are shaped. They want to know the wins and the losses. And usually, the times you crashed and everything went wrong are the stories and the lessons that are most remembered.

Your legacy matters. Tell your stories.

(This is Part 3 of attempting an endurance triathlon.)

A New Journey

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First child married. Second child married. Third child in college. Fourth child in High School.

Gained weight – lost weight quickly. Gained weight – lost weight over a long period of time. As you get older the fork outruns your sneakers.

Gained weight again and now back to the gym. I’m bored with my routine and I don’t want to do this. My friend said, “Why don’t you join me in a spin class?” I thought he was crazy. He suggested an early 6:00 am class. I took the bait. I’ll go for one week.

Humpty Dumpty can’t put your crushed cheerios back together again, but you can buy a new box. And a new journey began.

A lot happened over 22 years. Those stories will have to wait.

Have you ever started something new? Tell the story of starting a new season, a new chapter, a new adventure. If you don’t, no one will.

It’s your legacy. Tell the story.

(This is Part 2 of attempting an endurance triathlon.)

A New Story – Sail On

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Are you struggling to take a new direction in your life this year? Many are making plans for new habits. I am.

A few years ago I learned a valuable lesson in making changes at my sister-in-law’s wedding.

The wedding took place on New Year’s Eve in a small community on the Gulf of Mexico and the reception took place on the beach. Late in the evening we were circled around a bonfire celebrating not only the marriage, but also the new year. It was so much fun.

I turned away from the group and walked toward the shore. The water was calm, like glass, and moon beams reflected brightly. And in the sky … the stars were packed tightly burning brightly across the heavens.

That’s when I felt the urge to sail toward the horizon … straight into the moon. What an adventure that would be!

I had a decision to make. If I took sail, I would leave the comforting fires of the familiar to chase something new.

Sail On! … and leave the comfort of the familiar. Then tell your children and their children the stories of your adventure.

Leave a lasting legacy one story at a time.

Sail On!