Life is so short. Each day passes too fast and before you know it you missed what you could have done to be the change you want to see. Every day that I live, I think of what I want to be remembered for by my family, friends, and the world when I die. And if I was to be remembered for anything, it would be serving humanity for a cause greater than my own. If I had only one chance to send a message across my generation, it would be: “Living to leave a legacy.” Legacy is when you are genuinely grounded in offering yourself and making meaningful, sustainable and energizing contribution to humanity by serving a cause greater than your own.
We often think that legacy is just a material wealth that we leave behind when we pass on, but it shouldn't be so. It's about finding a vision for your own life that can re-frame your priorities, energize your efforts, and inspire you to be the change you want to see around you.
The life of a problem solver, leader, and hero, is a life of legacy. They have a reason to live; they set high standards; they take action; and win in the end.
Having a reason to live
Why live if you have no one to live for? Let your purpose and your every action be directed towards helping others? A hero deliberately and courageously overcomes obstacles for the benefit of others without regard to personal consequences. Conquered obstacles are the only qualifying credentials of heroes and a measure of one's true leadership.
Jesus Christ, the greatest problem solver, leader and hero came to live on earth for humankind. As a problem solver, he turned water into wine at a wedding. As a leader, he recruited 12 followers to work in establishing his ministry. As a hero, he died so that man can live eternally.
Other problem solvers, leader and heroes include: Henry Ford – the man who jump-started the automotive age; Bill gates – a Harvard drop-out who started a software company (Microsoft). Grace to his reason to live, we benefit from publishing this magazine.
Set the highest possible standards
Living without standard is living without direction. High standards help us ensure that the effort, time, and energy we spend are in line with achieving our goals. In his book “THINK BIG,” Dr. Ben Carson tells us the importance of setting high possible standards. His mother always had high expectations from him and his brother. She made them read and report two books every week. Another high possible standard his mother made him set was that “no excuse is accepted.” She always reminded him that “You can do anything that anyone can do only you can do it better."
Take action!
Learning goes beyond having knowledge of something. You can read all of what write, learning is not complete until you put into practice what you have knowledge of. Setting high standards is just a step away from your final destination. When you set standards, you must take action. Practice what you preach or don’t preach at all. Walk the talk.
You will win in the end
Winning in the end it’s an obvious outcome of being a problem solver, leader and hero. Even if you die, your legacy lives on. Martin Luther, when asked what he would do if he knew he were going to die tomorrow, replied simply, "I’d go out and plant a tree." He would, in other words, leave behind him a legacy of life that would grow on and on into the future. You don’t have to be the person eating the fruit from the tree to be a winner. You will be a winner when you plant a tree and it bares fruit even after your death. The legacy of Marin Luther King still lives on today. In his speech I have a dream, he said of black and whites kids playing together, going to the same school, etc. Today, America has a black president. He didn't live to see it, but his activism has bared fruits.
Living a life to leave a legacy is like running a baton race. The baton is in your hand you are leading the race. You may not be the one ending the race, but because of the way you started the race, you can rest assured that you will win in the end.
