Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 86 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom.

It Is the Life in Your Years That Count

Thank you for joining us for our 7 day a week, 7 minutes of wisdom podcast. This is Day 86 of our Trek. Yesterday we began our exploration of the 7 principles in order to put more life in your years. We are equating these principles to our hiking trails. We explored the first two trails yesterday, so today we will continue on our exploration of additional trails.

We are recording our podcast from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. Today is day two of our Anniversary Week #36. For many years I certainly did not focus on how important it is to celebrate these special moments of life, so three years ago I committed to make the week of our anniversary a special time. Since we are going on a cruise the first week of November this year, we decided to make this year’s anniversary week a staycation where we would relax and take some day trips.

Today we did have some work to take care of (the joys of entrepreneurship), but it was scaled back a bit. We went for a nice walk, had a special dinner at home alone, and enjoyed watching a movie. Although I am a bit too focused on business most of the time, I am working at taking the time to pause, reflect on what is truly important, and enjoy taking time to enjoy the special moments of life.

So, let’s head out today and explore some additional trails on how to live each day to the fullest because in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years. We should fill our life with joy each day, as the Apostle Paul reminded the Church in Philippi in Chapter 4 verse 4, “Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again — rejoice!”

Today we will explore trails three and four.

3.   Leave your mark. You only have one chance at each day. Make it count.

· Personal Growth

Leaving your mark starts with knowing yourself. The ability to leave your mark also requires you to know what your mark is all about. Personal growth can begin with taking time to outline your intentions and desires in this life. Ask yourself who you are, who are you really, what is your living legacy today, and what will it be when you die? Your thoughts become your actions and your actions are what leave your mark in this world. Spend time in personal growth and understand your life’s focus.

 

· Find Your Voice

It’s okay to talk to yourself. Journaling is a great way to have a discussion with yourself about what is upsetting you and what matters to you. It is also a great way to find your voice, understand what you stand for and how you want to make an impact on the world. Another critical piece of finding your voice is telling others about your ideas and insights. Remain open to constructive feedback and practice non-judgmental behavior when others don’t see your point of view or disagree with you. Life is full of diversity — there is room enough for everyone’s voice. Don’t forget to circle back and reread your journal entries. We all come up with exceptional and very exciting ideas, but they can fade away if they are not cultivated. Returning to read your past journal entries can rekindle an idea whose time is now!

 

· Give Back

Be someone’s sunshine! People need to seek sunshine and strength from others during their darkest times. One of the best ways to live your legacy each day is to give back to the world. A few ideas that might fit your journey are praying for others, being a mentor, or volunteering. Legacy building does not require financial resources. It requires time invested in others. If you have the capability to invest financially, mentor, volunteer, and pray,