Legacy: What Mark Will We Make?

 By nature, this first day of the new year is one of natural reflection and consideration. It is the bridge between what has been and what will be -- the known versus the unknown. Part of our story has been written and still another part of it is yet to be created. At some point, what is, what was, and what is to be will simply be history -- our history. How will it read? What will we be remembered for? Who will remember us? More pointedly, who will bear the marks of our existence -- and what kind of marks will they be?

Will we leave the gentle etchings of love, friendship, wisdom, and knowledge written upon the heart-- or will we leave the deeper scars of pain, rejection, selfishness, and greed engraved upon the soul? Whether, we intend to or not, we are likely to do one or the other, or at the very least some combination of the two. The good news is, if you are reading this you still have an opportunity to change the outcome. Here are a couple questions to consider:

1. What are you building and who are you building it for? Are your efforts self-focused or are you focused on the benefit of others -- beyond the me and mine?
2.  Are you operating from a place of thankfulness and gratitude -- or from a place of disdain and lack? Are you blessing others or blaming others? 
3. Are you freely sharing your wisdom, your knowledge, and your resources? Or, are you holding onto what you have as if it creates some kind of power for you and you alone? By the way it really does. It creates the power to destroy yourself and others. Choose carefully.
4. Perhaps most importantly, have you made a decision to do good and to do it consistently and without reservation or consideration of the personal cost? Have you committed to forgiving others and in the process forgiving yourself?

The past and all its glory and its garbage cannot be changed. All that we can do is learn from it and apply its lessons to our future efforts. Today is a day of decision. What will it be? What kind of marks will you leave? 

Your comments and thoughts are always welcome.

Also published on LinkedIn, 1/1/2016

About the Author: Terry Crouson is the Owner and Head Coach at Silver Coach Solutions, LLC and is currently doing business as The Growth Coach of West Metro Detroit. He is dedicated to helping business owners, entrepreneurs, sales professionals, and self-employed professionals find their way by finding their why. He is a highly respected business coach, speaker, facilitator, and community builder. Terry is certified in the Strategic Mindset Process, and is also a Certified Behavioral Consultant. As a member of LIFE Leadership, he is passionate about helping people from all walks of life discover the joy of learning, the joy of leading, and the joy of building a profitable business.