Each Life A Legacy 

By Bob ‘Idea Man’ Hooey, A/S

Our life is a portrait of who we are - autograph your life with style! Whether we realize it or not, our life leaves a legacy. People we know, work or live with will have a lasting impression based on their experience with us. Why is it, we wait until they are gone to acknowledge the important people in our life? Life is a choice… 

•	Why not leave a lasting legacy that has contributed in a positive way? 

Once we understand that we leave a legacy behind, we can make a conscious choice to make sure it is a positive one.  We can choose to invest our time, resources and energies in those activities, those organizations who create lasting value and in the lives of those we love and respect. 
        
My parents left us in 1999. They left a big hole in the lives of my sister and myself. But more importantly they left a legacy of love and commitment to community that has been ingrained in our lives.  Their legacy lives on in our lives.

•	Acknowledging the accomplishments and contributions of those around us! 

Over the years I’ve learned that people all too often die unacknowledged and unappreciated.  This is one of the biggest losses in our rich culture and legacy as a nation. We have people who have made an impact in our lives, who have made a difference too, and they don’t know – because we never told them!  Resolve to tell people now and tell them often how important they are in your lives and where they have made a difference. It can be the most valuable gift you can give.

•	Investing in the lives of others can be our best legacy! 

I’ve often heard, “you can’t take it with you!” Interesting thought. In one sense it is true. When we pass away we leave everything we once held important behind. I’ve yet to see a hearse pulling a u-haul trailer. If we take true leadership with our time and resources we can invest them in the people we want to help now, and in those who might be joining us one day. Think of all the people who have invested in your life and your success to date. Some have passed away but their investment in you is still paying dividends as you continue to grow and pass on what they taught you. 

•	Realize the impact you have, and choose to make it a dynamic one!

We make an impact on the lives of others each day and in each encounter we have with them. We have an impact on strangers and on people who we may not even know.  Like the ripples on a lake that bounce off each other we do have an impact and we change the patterns of those we connect with, as do they who connect with us.

One of the most decisive and productive decisions I made was to undertake to make a difference in my life, to leave a positive legacy behind me. To leave a legacy of empowered and encouraged people, audiences, readers and family and friends who knew I loved and cared enough to give my very best. Who know I believed in them and prayed for their success and success in life.  To making sure my words, written and verbal were based in truth, delivered in love and focused on the positive opportunities in life.

Lord willing, I have quite a few more productive years ahead of me. I still have book ideas to birth, countries I want to visit, and friends around the world I have not met as yet. But, regardless of the time He allows me, I pray that when I go, I leave a legacy as rich as those of my parents Ron and Marge Hooey.  I would be blessed indeed if I was able to leave that kind of legacy behind.

Copyright 2002 Bob ‘Idea Man’ Hooey All rights reserved.  Bob is a Business Enhancement Success Thinker and Trainer who loves to make sure people are acknowledged and encouraged enroute to their successful goals. He is the author of 6 books and his articles and programs have entertained and challenged 1000’s of business professionals across North America. Visit www.ideaman.net for more information on how to connect with Bob and have him become part of your legacy.