Have you ever thought of the legacy you want to leave?
I have recently been very convicted about having some kind of legacy in mind while we are raising our children. Legacy is NOT just about the wealth we accumulate or the possessions we leave behind. Leaving a legacy is about the values, principles, and contributions that shape our journey and influence the generations that will come after us.
Why is Legacy important?
There has recently been a significant increase in anxiety and depression in children and youth, as well as in adults. I have been seeing this in my practice. There are multiple contributors to this rise. However, in talking to people, I’ve realized that some of this has to do with needing to define one’s legacy.
So....what IS Legacy?
It can be defined as the lasting impact and influence that a person has on their surroundings, community, and on the world at large. It encompasses a lot of things including values, beliefs, and principles that guide one’s actions and decisions throughout life. Legacy is not measured by material possessions. It is measured by the positive changes, inspirations, and contributions a person makes that continue to reverberate long after they are gone.
When you have a clear understanding of the legacy you want to leave behind, it tends to fill you with purpose. It motivates you to make choices and decisions that align with your values. When you make decisions that are aligned with your values, you are less likely to be anxious and depressed.
When faced with choices, people who have defined their legacy are more likely to make decisions that are consistent with their long-term goals and values.
You may not realize that you have actually defined your legacy. Sit down and look back at the decisions you have made, and the difficulties that you have been through. You might realize that you have made all your decisions based on certain goals and guiding principles. It is surprising how often this happens quite unconsciously. A well-defined legacy can also serve as an inspiration to others. It’s like a ripple effect. When you see someone doing something positive and impacting a situation positively, it often encourages others to follow suit.
Having a legacy mindset can also strengthen family bonds and relationships. When parents have a shared vision of the legacy they want to leave for their children, it fosters a sense of unity and purpose within the family.
As I reflected on what kind of legacy I want to leave, I realized that I have always had guiding principles. But because I have not sat down to define them, it has always been harder to make changes, even when I realize that a change might be necessary.
I recently felt very compelled to take a trip to Hungary, to visit the hometown of my mother’s family. Because of my legacy principles, the trip morphed into multiple family members taking part. There were a lot of difficulties arranging this trip because my family is scattered all over the globe. We all wanted to be there and bring my dad to the place where he met my mother and where our family began. A reminiscing tour of sorts. With each difficulty that came up while I arranged the trip, the one thing I kept going back to was: this is a legacy trip. It is a trip where all my siblings who could come would be there. All my children who could come, and their cousins,  would be together, both from the Hungarian side of the family and the Ugandan side of the family.
Every time I ran into a snag, the principles and foundations of leaving a legacy kept me pushing forward and countering all the setbacks. Logistical planning has never been my forte.Â
My husband always wants to know the complete details from beginning to end. I tend to arrange the big things and let all the little things fall into place, relying on a LOT of providence from the Lord and goodwill from everybody involved. I have always felt this allows for a lot of leeway and a lot less stress and headache when things do not go just so.
It turned out to be the most awesome trip! For once, not one flight was late, we didn’t lose any luggage, and what could have been a logistical nightmare turned out to be truly amazing. After it was all done, I had a personal worship session to thank the Lord for it all. I am grateful for all the providential meetings, and the joy and camaraderie. And best of all, I realized how much I enjoy being with my family.
In the next series of blogs, we will talk about raising our children and making decisions with legacy in mind. Let us guide our children with clear purpose so that we may build a lasting impact for good.
Enjoy the journey!
Doc Tibbs
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All of Doc Tibb’s books can be found on her author website!
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