STAY READY, so you don’t have to get ready

Nothing is more annoying than working hard at something, just to have to start all over again. It’s probably as annoying or if not worse than going in the wrong direction on a road trip and having to detour. Unless of course the detour turns out to be awesome. But that’s just it isn’t it? Life will take you on a detour sometimes, whether you like it or not. 

But it’s not how you got there that matters; it’s how you respond. There will be obstacles. That much is guaranteed. But you do not have to just let life happen to you. I wouldn’t be where I am today if I just let life happen to me. I’m not the same person I was last week, let alone five years ago before I got married. 

Even in some of my lowest moments, I always knew that with every step I took, it was taking me on the path that I needed to be on for that particular season. It was not by chance or coincidence, but for PURPOSE. Believe it or not, you can receive clarity even in the storm. 

Have you ever noticed that right before a breakthrough, the worse happens? Sometimes, the enemy comes immediately to attack and destroy any good seed. It can be obvious, which can leave a deep wound that makes you want to give up. Or it can be subtle, like a sly remark from someone you thought you could trust. Either way, we can’t stay focused on one negative moment when each new day brings an opportunity to create something beautiful, follow your dreams, and to live and to love. 

Before you set on your journey, let me share with you not only what you can do during a storm, but 7 reasons why leaving behind a legacy is so important:

Leave your mark on the world.

A few months ago I went to see the latest Black Panther movie with my daughter and her friend. You may know by now that before the movie was released, the main character who played Black Panther in the first movie was Chadwick Boseman, who passed away from cancer. Before he died, he didn’t tell a lot of people of his condition, even when he was teased or mocked for appearing ill on social media. This is the kind of world we live in. Unfortunately, we spend so much time tearing each other down, instead of bringing each other up. I won’t spoil the movie for you if you haven’t seen it, but it was absolutely beautiful how he was paid tribute. The theatre was completely silent every time he was on screen. 

This was a black man that inspired children and even adults that looked like him, also like me, with dark skin and natural coily hair. Not only that, but he was also a king, and a good king. He fought to protect his people, and believed in doing good, while still being human and making mistakes along the way. Not to mention his army consisted of mostly women who could hold their own too, that was beautiful to me. And in a moment, he breathed his last, and he was gone. This is why it’s important to leave legacy. The writers were almost finished the second movie and instead incorporated a way to still include him in it, and they did it epically. They could have just replaced the character all together, but you can’t replace the man behind the character. 

So my question to you is, what legacy are you leaving behind for the world to see? 

Leave something for your grandchildren. 

The Bible says, “A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children.” (Provers 13:22) If that doesn’t scream make the most of this life while you are still here, then I don’t know what does. Even if you don’t have children, or plan on having any, you can still show your generosity, and leave something that can be a blessing for someone else, thus showing how great your own blessing was. God blesses ALL of His children, as He pleases, not just the ones who acknowledge Him and know that it’s Him doing it. 

To fulfill your purpose and your calling.

Pursuing legacy is kind of like having a road map. This road map could be a vision board of sorts. It may sound cheesy, but when you think about it, what’s wrong with having and seeing a solid plan for your dreams in front of you everyday? I have a wallpaper of the volcano in Guatemala I want to climb with my husband, the titles of my next projects and Scripture around me everyday. And yes, we will make marshmallows when we get up there like many tourists do. Why not? 

Firm foundation.

So, write out your plans. Once your mind is made up, and you can see it every day, to the point where you can almost touch it, you become unstoppable. Think of the motivation and momentum that brings. And lets not forget practical steps along the way can be enjoyable also. For instance, I meet weekly with my mentor, I’m working on a book and an eBook, but I’m also actively working on my website everyday and this blog that you’re reading. I enjoyed setting all of this up more than the new car I got for my birthday last year. Why? Because I have a firm foundation living on the inside of me, I have the vision, and God is leading me along the way. This is part of my legacy, and the impact I want to leave behind. 

To die with dignity. 

Each time I look at the pictures of my friends and I in Okinawa, I think about two things. How I’m so glad that I met them at my first military duty station, because we are still friends to this day, AND what a hot mess I was back then. Even though those were some of the most life changing moments I had, we are not done. That is NOT how I want to be remembered. It’s not enough for me. There is so much more I want to do and accomplish, and be able to reach back and help someone else, knowing that my children’s children will be taken care of also. When I close my eyes in this world, I want to leave empty, knowing that I gave it my all and lived abundantly. It took me a long time to get where I am. And the beautiful thing about it is that God has already ordered my steps and created a firm foundation along the way for me. 

To help change someone’s life. 

I also think of another time I was on a lunch break with another friend. On the way back to the office we drove past a young guy begging for money that we just knew was a Marine. We intentionally made two U-turns to try to catch up to him and talk to him and give him some cash, but he was gone by the time we made it back. If you saw someone in need, and you know you could help them, what’s really stopping you from going out of your way to do so? Helping someone that has been through some of the things you have been through can change their life and help to heal yours. Some of the best things you can give someone is your money and your time. So even if you don’t have a lot of money right now, how are you managing your time? In what small way can you help someone today?

To honor the life God has given you. 

Each one of us has unique gifts God has given us to make our lives better and to share. Don’t waste another moment thinking about what could have been and don’t limit yourself with labels. You are meant for so much more. Even if you don’t believe everything I’m saying or it sounds like a fantasy to you, just remember we were not called to keep it real, but to be righteous.

Please consider reading this short article on what the Bible says about heritage and legacy here. I pray it blesses you.