The topic of Legacies is a big one as part of the aging process. What will you leave behind for your family, community, or the world at large? Wills, trusts, foundations, charities all are in line for your financial treasure.
We all want to be remembered after we’re gone. Personally, because I have children and a grandson, I want to leave a legacy for them. What will it be?Initially, I decided that I want to leave them a connection with nature. For me, that’s one of the most important relationships we have on Earth: our connection to Earth herself. But Nature may not have the same sense of importance to them as it does to me.
After meditating more on my personal legacy, it has become apparent to me that the legacy of love and kindness are really the most important gifts to leave behind.
When my grandson Andrew was born, I wondered how I would pass on my wealth of knowledge, experience, and whatever sole possessions I believe to be imperative. Truth is, most of what I believe is important to pass on to others, especially my children and grandson, isn’t important enough for them to want. And, so I was in a dilemma. This dilemma brought me to writing a book called Cultivating Spirituality in Children: 101 Ways to Make Every Child’s Spirit Soar.
The focus of this book is on how to be that which we wish for others to experience and how to be that for themselves. Gandhi said, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” So, writing this book helped me see that the legacy I wanted to leave for my grandson and children was only going to occur by me being me, in acceptance, grace, and peace. It was big work writing that book and walking my talk – the more challenging of the two! Fortunately, my coaching practice supported this process and continues to do so.
Think about it: so many people come to coaching because they feel unfulfilled. Through coaching they hope to figure out their life purpose: the legacy they wish to leave behind when they die. “I want to do something that will leave the world better than when I got here,” some say. They think it’s something they have to do – some service or product they will create in order to leave their mark on the world.
The kind of life coaching I do empowers people to untether themselves from their interpretations about themselves and the world. They have to do that in order to empower themselves to see what is theirs to do or what is theirs to be.
Most of us have a huge amount of resistance to accepting that the way we see ourselves and the world is the foundation for what is possible regarding the fulfillment of their human-spirit. Their resistance slows them down, and, too often, they are frustrated because it takes longer than they expected, or it’s not happening at all.In Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Polonius says, “To thine own self be true.” To strip away anything that is not self will reveal not only who we are, but also enables the experience of serenity and peace with who we are. We experience peace with everyone else too.
That’s a pretty valuable legacy to leave behind, don’t you think? Whether through spiritual practices, work, therapy, coaching, life lessons in general, if we willingly reveal who we are, then we have less investment in how others will see us. We are less concerned with being vulnerable to attack or rejection and just be who we are. We stop thinking about who we want to be and how we want to be and instead focus on who we are in this moment. We discover a place within where peace resides. It takes courage and conviction to for any one of us to walk our talk. It’s kind of rare!
So, this is the legacy I wish to pass on to the world – the practice of being the me I wish to be, and living in the courage and wisdom to make that so.
What is your legacy? For more blogs, books, videos, or if you are interested in coaching or training with Dr. Rosie, check out her website: www.theparadigmshifts.com. And her podcast can be found at aginglikeaguru.podbean.com. The book Aging Like a Guru – Who Me? and Dr. Rosie’s other books are available at Darvill’s Bookstore, the Cottage Gift Shop, and Amazon. Rosie, 360-376-4323, www.theparadigmshifts.com
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