Leaving Behind Your Legacy

I was listening to a motivational compilation this morning and, Zig Ziglar mentioned about leaving behind your legacy and the type of legacy you will be passing down. Funny I thought of writing this topic a few days ago, and with my busy study schedule, I haven't been able to write but it was a sign today to discuss this important subject!

For those who have been following my blog or this is your first read, I am pregnant with my first child. Since I was a child I always dreamed of one day becoming a mother, becoming his or her leader, and showing her the way throughout this journey called life. My mom and dad had done such an amazing job of raising my brother and me to become who we are today. The wisdom, teachings, and allowing us to occasionally scrape our knees had built our character and formed the young adults we are.

My mom is unfortunately not here on this earth with me anymore, but the legacy she had left behind will forever live in me. She taught me how to unconditionally love myself as well as others. She always expressed how important it was to be a leader even in uncomfortable positions and, trust in a higher power for guidance.

I struggled with her gone for years but one day I remembered that she would want me to be happy, and to keep moving forward no matter what. I refused to ever give up even when I hit my rock bottoms, but her words and wisdom had always given me the strength to push onwards. Mom was a businesswoman and a leader by nature. She was elegant with her words and knew how to speak to anyone with empathy but assertiveness.

I always looked up to my mom but now as I transition into my motherhood journey, I realized how important it was for me to set the example for not only my daughter but for myself as well. My little one won't be here until December but, I heal and prepare myself mentally and emotionally and spiritually now so that when she does come I will be prepared to tackle on new obstacles.

We're humans, we make mistakes, fall, get back up, fall again its a constant cycle in life for us to learn, but remember in those times that are tougher that is all just a never-ending learning process makes it easier and more enjoyable. I know that sounds a little cliche, I'm not saying to enjoy the falling periods in our lives, but when we look back at all mistakes, we sometimes can't help but laugh at how silly they were, or how we thought the world was going to end but we turned out okay!

I love the scene in the movie, Pocahontas when she's talking with her grandmother, who in spirit form is the Willow tree and, she's seeking advice, and grandma is telling her to follow her heart and she'll find the answers she's been looking for because, its a great representation to trust ourselves that we have the answers we are looking for. When I pass away, I want my children and grandchildren to look up in the sky, and call out to me for wisdom but, realize they already have the tools and knowledge to pursue whatever it is.

Leaving behind such a profound legacy is very important to me because I do that with my mom. I talk to her all the time, I call out to her and ask her for some wisdom, some signs that I am on the right path. I've learned to trust people who only have my best interests at heart, but to ask someone who is not physically here is remarkable. The morals and ethics they lived by while here on this earth inspire us to shape ourselves so that we leave a mark on others as well. Serving the community, helping anyone, and most importantly helping yourself is the basic tools you need in order to leave behind your mark in this world.

 Of course, we remember the not-so-positive people as well who have caused havoc to society, but remembering the ones who were not afraid to stand up for what is right, the people who helped others who were compassionate towards everyone and everything, those are the individuals we need to remember the most and, walk in their footsteps. I'm not saying be just like them, but take what you've learned from them and apply it into your life in your unique way.

My mom had such a way of talking with people, she made everyone feel comfortable and to be themselves and as a child, I saw that and wanted others to feel the same way I spoke with them. I didn't want to be exactly like my mom, because like we all do she had her flaws as well, but her inspiration and light outshined everything else.  Remember when you leave this earth, people will talk about what you have done and don't you want people to remember you by the great contributions you have made?

Think of that every day even when you're feeling down and I promise you, your mindset will start to shift! I have my moments, we all do so let's not beat ourselves up when we make mistakes or" fail" I hate that word by the way because failing is just learning.

When our child was learning how to walk and they kept falling but got right back up, we didn't call that failing to walk!? We called that learning and eventually, they learned how to walk on their two feet with no problem! Think of that analogy every time you feel like putting yourself down for in-completing your task and, you will laugh at yourself for getting upset in the first place.

We all were brought here to learn, to love, to give, and let's leave this earth knowing in our hearts we did the best we could have done. Every day after you read this...Think to yourself, what will you do differently or what other contributions will you make not only for yourself but for others? If you want to inspire others to do good things, it needs to come from you first.  Be the leader YOU know you can be!

"Legacy is not leaving something for people. It's leaving something in people." - Peter Strople