We deiced to work on our basement last summer.
The idea of a family room where we could all gather was so appealing. I couldn’t wait to redo the basement! We began working on a wooden wall after we saw a picture of a beautiful family room with one wall that was all wood. Then, we decided we wanted to put boards from wood pallets on one of the walls in our basement. We didn’t design a plan, but we began to collect wood pallets and take them apart. We worked for weeks to pull all of the boards apart and our barn soon became full of the wood from all those pallets.
One night, we looked at all of the boards and knew we had to start on the next step. But we had no idea what that next step was! We knew we wanted a wood wall. Then, we ran out and got as many pallets as we could find and tore them all up. Now, we had a huge mess and yet no plan. We began to look up ideas for building a wooden wall and found out a LOT that we didn’t know. Including the hazards on some pallet boards that can make people sick without proper ventilation. We sorted our boards and found that most of what we had was completely useless.
You deserve better
If you do not have a plan, you are wasting your time doing things that are completely useless in getting you what you want. You are wasting precious time. If you want something different then you must do something different.
Writing your family’s legacy is a part of creating a new foundation for your family. In the past, you lived your life a day at a time—not thinking about your future or your legacy. The moments became days, the days soon became months and then years. Enough is enough. You deserve better. Your legacy is at stake. Stop trying to wing it and hope it turns out OK.
Write out your dreams
Take a few moments to think about what you want your life to stand for. What is the one thing you want people to think of when they think of you? Is it faithfulness, strength, wealth? I know you do not want to be remembered as a liar, cheater, or dishonorable. My question is, what are you doing to get the legacy you want?
It doesn’t just happen. Legacies don’t just happen. With purpose, one decision at time, you legacy is built. If you don’t have a plan then you will not end up where you want to be. All of the work you do will then be in vain.
You can build a family legacy document by asking your family what they want to stand for, and be known for. Then, start building a plan. You will be intentional and focused when you have a specific plan in place to help you reach your goals.
Don’t let someone else finish your story. Decide how you want it to turn out in the end and then begin to change the plot and character in your life so that the story leads you to the ending YOU choose.
It is not enough to want something better
You need to know how to get something better, and then do whatever it takes to bring live out your legacy. That is what will deliver transformation to your family.
If you are living your life in regret then it is time to change the course of your life. It is never too late. This prison experience can bring clarity to your life and your legacy if you let it.
To get on the right path to create your legacy, do these three things right away:
- Stop doing everything that hinders you from the legacy you want. No more lying, cheating, getting drunk, getting high, etc. It is time for a change
- Find 3 people who can help you achieve your legacy and build a relationship with them
- Write down what you want then put it where you will see it every day. Writing down your barriers keep you focused as you will be reminded every day of what you are fighting for.
Now, go get it!!
I am rooting for you-
Cathy