3/27/2025

In general, legacy is how you tell the story of your life. There is no simple way to define our legacy because our life is never so simple as to be able to capture it in one sentence. Our legacy is ever changing as our life ebbs and flows over the years. It is never too late to consider what your legacy will be and to make choices to align with your goals.

Our legacy reflects the things we hold dear. While that may seem obvious, it is often difficult to focus on what will happen after we are no longer alive. It may help to think of legacy as the moments we leave behind for others to remember us. Sometimes it is easy to forget that we don’t have forever and that our actions speak louder than words. Your legacy is tied to your values, your work, your beliefs and your life choices, making it very complex to define. Taking a moment to consider what your legacy might be is a gift you give yourself. It may be a task that reminds you of your values and it may enrich your life’s meaning.

We will all leave a legacy in this world, whether we plan it, think of it, or build it. Perhaps it is a moment in time to consider what your legacy will be. It starts with asking yourself a few difficult questions and honestly reflecting on your life. What are your values? What impression do you leave on others when they meet you? What does your family think about you? How do you participate in friendships? What have you accomplished? Did you make the world a better place? 

These are difficult questions with complicated answers and we are the only ones who can do the hard work. But, considering your legacy can help you live the life you want and can guide you during difficult decisions.  It is worthwhile to invest in defining and creating your legacy. 

It is important to consider that our legacy goes beyond the labels we place on ourselves or that society places on us. Maybe our legacy is what we do with those labels? 

If your label is successful business person, hopefully your legacy goes beyond to include how your business contributes to the community you live in. If your label is single parent, hopefully your legacy goes beyond to include the care, compassion and love for your children. If your label is HIV positive, hopefully your legacy goes beyond to include exhibiting courage in the face of adversity. If your label is medical provider, hopefully your legacy includes building a network of care and compassion for each and every patient. If your label is artist, hopefully your legacy goes beyond your work to encompass your vision of beauty. 

We create our legacy by taking actions. These actions may be quiet and subtle or they may be seen by everyone. We can take actions that result in accomplishments such as awards or financial success. Or they can be accomplishing our goals, overcoming challenges or becoming a leader.  We take actions with an impact on others for better or for worse. We can be a positive example for others, we can focus on doing good deeds such as volunteering or being brave in the face of adversity. Another action that we can take is to share our resources through philanthropic donations, volunteering our precious time, and teaching or mentoring someone else.

Our actions create our legacy and overcome our labels.

Best of luck in planning your actions and taking an active role in leaving a positive legacy that makes the world a better place.