3 Building Blocks to a Legacy

With today’s challenge to live in the present, it can be overwhelming to consider the daunting task of building a legacy. The difficulty of the task is compounded when we experience the defeating cycle of missing the mark when it comes to setting yearly resolutions.

We feel the tug between being content in the moment and still being aware of the future. And with the struggle of falling short in the present, we quickly lose sight of anything beyond tomorrow. All too often our weaknesses assume the position of not only limiting our legacy but also defining it.

So, how do we maintain a connection and balance between the two? How do we harness all that the present holds and still build a legacy strong enough to sustain more than the present? Building a legacy begins by internalizing the truth that we matter, our life matters and all we are created to be matters both now and for eternity.

It begins internally, with an awareness of ourselves…our unique selves. Of our strengths. Our successes. Our sweet spots. And it begins by believing that in spite of our mistakes, our shortfalls and our less-thans, the hope of the echo of our life living on is a real and attainable goal.

Building a legacy begins by internalizing the truth that we matter. Share on X

“For you are God’s masterpiece. He has created you anew in Christ Jesus, so you can do the good things he planned for you long ago.” Ephesians 2:10

I don’t know about you, but it is far easier for me to focus and dwell on my weaknesses than it is to recognize my strengths. I’m all too quick to identify with my failures than I am to acknowledge my successes. And truth be told, I’m much more prone to try to occupy someone else’s sweet spot for the sake of acceptance than I am to inhabit and nurture my own. The result is false happiness and a legacy that falls short of the design.

Every legacy thrives on employing our strengths.

We all have them – those talents and abilities that shine through in the things we participate in on a daily basis, whether through work or play. We all have personality strengths which are clearly visible to others but may be hidden from us. We all have God-given gifts which make us unique in our forming and our ways.

Keep a list of the things you participate in and spend your time doing. Identify the talents and abilities that come to the forefront. Seek out a trusted person who can rightly identify your personality strengths and how they have been visible. We often are very surprised at what emerges when we take the time to assess.

All of these strengths are vital pieces to frame out our legacy. They provide us with a sense of purpose and a direction to move forward.

Every legacy requires a “big picture” perspective that builds on our successes.

As a result of living from time to time within our strengths, we no doubt have experienced success along the way. Success is when our strengths shine. When they are celebrated and acknowledged as good and meaningful. And the more we operate within our strengths, the more success we can expect to experience.

What successes have you experienced? What areas have you experienced these successes? In the workplace, in the home, in marriage, in parenting. Take time to process what these successes meant and how they contributed to your overall life plan.

Our moments of success are rich legacy stepping-stones because they carry with them hope and move us past our failures with greater perspective and focus on the big picture.

Every legacy is sustained through living within our sweet-spots.

Our sweet spot is our passion…our most effective and optimum point of contact with our soul that maximizes and energizes our existence. It’s the beautiful melody that crescendos through our being and brings lasting satisfaction. It’s that soul-deep knowing that when we are living out our passion, we are living authentically.

Do you know your sweet-spots? Are they authentic, or are they forced for the sake of acceptance? What energizes you and makes you happy? Are there any which were prevalent in childhood and tossed aside due to pressing circumstances? Explore those areas that make your soul swell.

Our passions are the defining elements of our legacy. They give birth and nurture and grow our legacy throughout our life. They’re not fleeting, and they refuse to yield to the tide because they stand strong in the knowledge that they have a lasting purpose.

Taking time for internal awareness of our strengths, successes and sweet-spots is something that honors who we are and who we are to become. Implementing and nurturing these as strong and lasting building blocks to our legacy helps to ensure that we stay on track to creating something of immense value. Something that will outlive our days on this earth. And something that will multiply in extraordinary ways to impact future generations.

Our legacy does not have to be defined by how we lived yesterday. And it’s not dependent on what we do tomorrow.

Our legacy is determined by how we choose to live our life today.

Be sure to come back next Friday, 1/20 when we practice creating our legacy mission statement!

If you missed the first week of the series, you can find it HERE!

Before you leave….

Each week, it’s my pleasure to select one writer from the link-up to showcase on my blog for the entire week. As you know, I’m all about fresh goodness! And with so many amazing bloggers joining this community, I want to make sure Fresh Market Friday honors all who share the many areas they practice living out of a place of intention and passion.

So let me thank all of you for making this such a sweet place to gather every week as you share your passion for life and all the ways you practice living with intention! From recognizing some struggles as blessings in disguise (Military Wife After God) to choosing to be more intentional in how we nurture our one word for the year (Joy Pursued )...that’s the beauty of a fresh market. It offers something of value for everyone!

I’m excited to announce this week’s Featured Fresh Find is Dawn from Journeys in Grace!

You will feel a sense of peace and calm as visit Dawn’s beautiful site, and then you’ll be filled with the challenge of being more intentional in prayer – to move toward praying with new boldness and expecting God to answer in powerful and profound ways. She also portrays God in a strong and beautiful way which will leave you thinking about how much bolder your prayer life can become.

Won’t you please visit Dawn’s and share some Fresh Market Friday encouragement…because we all need a little encouragement!

If you’re new to Fresh Market Friday, you can find more about the community here.

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