Legacy is about honoring what has come before us, recognizing how it has shaped who we are today, and being intentional about what we want to leave behind.
As we approach Thanksgiving, I've been thinking about legacy through the lens of gratitude.
Be grateful for those who came before you.
This past Memorial Day, my husband and I visited a small cemetery where some of our ancestors from generations ago are buried. As I stood there, I was struck by a feeling of gratitude. These were people I never knew, yet their lives and the choices they made helped shape the life I have today.
Think about the people who have shaped your journey. Family, friends, teachers, mentors or colleagues who paved the way, believed in you or taught you something meaningful.
Perhaps this is a good time to reach out to someone and simply say, "Thank you. You made a difference in my life."
Be grateful for who you are and the life you have today.
It's easy to get caught up in life's challenges. Our minds naturally gravitate toward problems, what isn't going well or what needs our attention next.
Yet, even in the midst of life's challenges, there is so much to be grateful for.
Tonight, when you lay your head on your pillow, take a moment to reflect on the blessings of the day. Set aside the problems of today and the worries of tomorrow. Simply pause and be grateful for the life you are living.
Be intentional about the legacy of gratitude you leave behind.
As my children have grown up, they've watched me take meals to people who were sick, care for family members and volunteer for causes important to our family. These weren't grand gestures. They were simply ways of showing appreciation for the blessings in my own life.
I serve because I am grateful.
And I hope that, in some small way, my actions have helped shape how my children see the world and how they choose to show up for others.
This past summer while visiting my daughter, I noticed a care package on her counter that she had put together for a colleague going through a difficult time. My daughter is a kind and generous person, and seeing that simple act of thoughtfulness reminded me of how gratitude and kindness can ripple from one generation to the next.
That is the legacy I want to leave. A legacy of gratitude.
As we enter this season of Thanksgiving, I encourage you to pause and reflect. Be grateful for those who came before you. Be grateful for the life you are living today. And be intentional about the legacy you are creating for tomorrow.
With love and gratitude,
