I am pleased to feature an article this week by a good friend of mine, Steve Reed. (Thank you Steve for submitting this article for publication on my BLOG.) Enjoy!
It starts with the first breath of life: a legacy is born. What will she be? What will he accomplish? What impact will she have in this world?
In the beginning of life's journey the possibilities seem almost endless - virtually unlimited. But somewhere in our development the limitations and constraints arise. One perspective is that possibilities turn to realities; consequently, most of us settle for less than we could be. Yet another perspective is that possibilities still exist - just under the surface. It seems as life goes by, reality overpowers possibility. Is this just the way it is, or has the daily routine of life caused us to miss something of vital importance? How do we get possibility back? What legacy are you creating with your life?
For most of us, it is a matter of reconnecting with who we really are and what brings meaning and significance to our life. It's about connecting with your life's purpose. Sometimes the things that we value and bring us meaning and significance change throughout our life: sometimes they don't. Regardless, it is a powerful moment when our purpose meets our passion, and suddenly we are in "flow": a psychological state of self-actualization.
According to Abraham Maslow, "flow" is a state or condition that all humans desire. Self-actualization is a state of meaningful achievement and fulfillment. Each of us want to live a life that has meaning and purpose, and leave behind a legacy we desire. Achieving or completing your life's purpose is a call to destiny. It is what should be. It's about creating your life's legacy. Where do you start? The first step is to understand and connect with the legacy you desire. It's about being intentional. What is your life's purpose? What brings you meaning and fulfillment?
Research shows that creating goals and developing plans to achieve those goals significantly increases the probability of achievement. Why? Setting a goal and creating a plan improves focus and clarity of purpose; intensifies our efforts; helps us to persevere and to follow our goals, even when the going gets difficult. And, it heightens our awareness of our environment so we can distinguish the aspects of our world that are really components of connecting with our legacy.
So what's the ultimate legacy for your life? Have you given this important matter much thought? Have you created a written legacy statement? If not, connect with your purpose, your passion, and what's at your core essence, and get started by writing your legacy statement. A thoughtful, well-crafted legacy statement is the compass you need to set course for your destiny; your life's ultimate legacy. Too busy? What could be more important? Are you defining your life by limitations or by possibilities?
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Monday, April 06, 2009
In Difficult Times...Remember
I was out looking at the stars the other night...and it occurred to me that without darkness, we would never see the stars. And to never see the stars would be to forget that we are a part of something much larger...a vast universe.
The dark sky reminds me of the opportunity that exist for us when we are going through dark moments in our lives. Perhaps some change is taking place in your life right now that is leaving your feeling uncertain, doubtful, afraid, anxious... I wonder, what would be different for you if you stepped outside and looked up at the stars and reconnected with the vastness of which you are a part?
I have found this to be one of the most powerful ways to navigate through a dark moment in my life: to remember and to step into a bigger perspective. And what I have noticed is that no matter how dark it gets, there is always light shining (like the stars). There is always a reminder that there is a bigger perspective that is beyond my experience.
We often forget this more vast perspective when we are going through a dark time. Yet, without the darkness, much would remain unknown and unrevealed to us. Just like without the darkness, we would never see the beauty of the night sky, and we would never be reminded of the larger aspects of our lives.
In the day we have the sunshine. I love times in life like this. When things are moving along nicely - when I can clearly see what is in front of me because of the sunlight. And on these sunny days we can look up, see the clouds and the blue sky. It is truly beautiful! And I've also realized that if all we could see were the blue sky and the white puffy clouds, then we would forget... we would forget the vastness of what we belong to. We would forget the larger picture and purpose of our lives.
The best is truly both worlds. Both the day and the night. The good times and the not so good times. The smaller perspective of where we are now, and the larger perspective emerging from the future. In each we discover the beauty and magnificence of who we are and what is possible.
So, whether you are going through a difficult time right now or not, don't forget to look up. And why not visit the night sky and see, and feel, and embrace that vastness of which you are part. YOU are an expression of all of that.
Be bold and live powerfully!
Denver
The dark sky reminds me of the opportunity that exist for us when we are going through dark moments in our lives. Perhaps some change is taking place in your life right now that is leaving your feeling uncertain, doubtful, afraid, anxious... I wonder, what would be different for you if you stepped outside and looked up at the stars and reconnected with the vastness of which you are a part?
I have found this to be one of the most powerful ways to navigate through a dark moment in my life: to remember and to step into a bigger perspective. And what I have noticed is that no matter how dark it gets, there is always light shining (like the stars). There is always a reminder that there is a bigger perspective that is beyond my experience.
We often forget this more vast perspective when we are going through a dark time. Yet, without the darkness, much would remain unknown and unrevealed to us. Just like without the darkness, we would never see the beauty of the night sky, and we would never be reminded of the larger aspects of our lives.
In the day we have the sunshine. I love times in life like this. When things are moving along nicely - when I can clearly see what is in front of me because of the sunlight. And on these sunny days we can look up, see the clouds and the blue sky. It is truly beautiful! And I've also realized that if all we could see were the blue sky and the white puffy clouds, then we would forget... we would forget the vastness of what we belong to. We would forget the larger picture and purpose of our lives.
The best is truly both worlds. Both the day and the night. The good times and the not so good times. The smaller perspective of where we are now, and the larger perspective emerging from the future. In each we discover the beauty and magnificence of who we are and what is possible.
So, whether you are going through a difficult time right now or not, don't forget to look up. And why not visit the night sky and see, and feel, and embrace that vastness of which you are part. YOU are an expression of all of that.
Be bold and live powerfully!
Denver
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