Shownotes
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, then that is your responsibility to do so. Each one of us can pray for others and support them every day. Being a mentor or volunteering takes more of a commitment, and if your life allows for you to make that type of commitment, building those relationships can be very rewarding.
4. Stop and take notice. Pay attention to others for we are all connected.
· It’s All About Love
Many popular songs and screen plays have documented the fact that love is the center of all that is positive and good in the world. Stop and reflect on how you are interacting with those around you. Is it all about love? Are you an example of love’s three “A’s”: Attention, Affection and Appreciation? It seems so simple, yet one of the hardest things to do for so many people is to show their love. Paying attention to what matters to someone else, giving affection in a time of need and saying thank you for the little things are what matter. Practice “Love’s Three A’s” today!
Love comes from God, and as his children we are to reflect this love. The entirety of Scripture is summed up in one paragraph as written in Mark 12:30-31, “And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.”
· Hugs for All Occasions
I grew up in a family that gave and received hugs as a show of appreciation and affection. Even if you are a macho man or woman, don’t resist a heartfelt embrace of another person. If there is an apparent kinship, even with someone that I have just met, an appropriate hug is okay. Certainly with family members, I feel that it is essential. Research shows hugging therapy has a powerful positive effect on people’s minds, bodies and spirits. The Scripture is full of examples of hugging or, as it is referred to as, embracing.
There are welcoming hugs and departing hugs. There are hugs of affection and hugs of sorrow. We are even to embrace wisdom as is mentioned in the following verses.
Proverbs 3:18, “Wisdom is a tree of life to those who embrace her; happy are those who hold her tightly.”
And Proverbs 4:8, “If you prize wisdom, she will make you great. Embrace her, and she will honor you.”
Be sincere with your hugs, and don’t be afraid to do so. Life is short. Hold tightly to those things and people that are important.
· Connect
Although we are all connected by a life force, meaningful connections don’t happen without our conscious effort. One way to connect to someone is called active listening. Think of having a discussion with someone and leaning forward, actually leaning into the person as they talk. Be sure to engage in eye contact as well. Listen to what the person is saying, how he is expressing his words, and what body language he is using. By actively listening, you can connect to the individual’s emotional side rather than only hearing the words.
It is also important to have balance in your life. All giving and no receiving can wear down a person’s positive energy. Give from the heart of your time and your talent and allow others to give to you as well. Part of the joy you feel when you give is the same joy others feel when you receive their help. Remember to send a “thank you” card. Not just because you receive a gift, just because you are thankful. It is not the size of the gesture, but rather the acknowledgment that someone is thinking of you and connects at the level of gratitude. It may seem old fashioned, but kindness and gratefulness never go out of style.
Contemplate these two trails today and join us at our “camp” tomorrow for another day on our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy. Tomorrow we will continue to explore starting with trail #5 and focus on living 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.
Well, that will finish our podcast for today. If you missed any of our previous podcasts, please check out Wisdom-Trek on iTunes, Stitcher, SoundCloud, Spreaker, YouTube, or Wisdom-Trek.com.
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Thank you!
The journal from this podcast can be found at Wisdom-Trek.com, where we also have pictures, tweetable quotes, wisdom nuggets, and free resources.
Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.
As we take this Trek together let us always:
- Live Abundantly (Fully)
- Love Unconditionally
- Listen Intentionally
- Learn Continuously
- Lend Generously
- Lead with Integrity
- Leave a Living Legacy Each Day
This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy the Journey, and Create a Great Day! See you tomorrow!