We all think and maybe even say, "I want to leave a legacy ... I want to make a difference." but, if you are like me the next question is, "How? What? When?" Here I am ...not where I thought I'd be, doing nothing that I thought I'd be doing and wondering if I even make a difference. Am I, making a difference?
And then, I look into the face of my precious little girl and realize ... I make all the difference in the world. I am leaving a legacy in the form of my daughter. If you have children or even if you don't ... if you will but get involved in the life of a child, take an interest in who they are now and who they will become ... you are making a difference.
I hate to use a cliche but our children are the future. They are the most valuable, influential, long lasting legacy that we can leave. Why aren't we willing to invest in them like we do our corporate jobs or personal business ventures? Why do we sacrifice our children on the altar of personal ambition or selfish desires? Why do we destroy the very thing that we say we want to leave... a legacy? There is no greater legacy than that of a child ...strong, secure, and loved.
Our children are our legacy for the future and the only hope for the generations yet to come. It is our job to train them, teach, lead them, guide them and keep them safe. One word of encouragement ... one hug around the shoulders ... one small gift from the heart can turn the heart of a child toward victory. You can instill in a child the ability to dream, to hope and the promise of a future ... we have so much to gain ... and nothing to loose. Haven't we lost too much? How much more are we willing to let go and ignore before we stand up and say enough? Our children are either killing each other or killing themselves! Isn't anybody alarmed by that? What can we do to stop the downward spiral of our future? Invest in our children ... invest in our legacy.
Teachers should be one of the highest paid jobs in the country. Daily they invest in our children and take on the responsibility that should only belong to a parent ... discipline, teaching and training. Thank you to all of the teachers out there who share their lives and hearts with our children. Bravo, you deserve a standing ovation. You are leaving a legacy.
So, what legacy are you leaving? I challenge you ... invest in our children. Teach them, love them, sacrifice for them, play with them, encourage them, discipline them, listen to them ... it doesn't matter if they are your child or even another person's child ... the children whose lives we touch are the only legacy worth leaving. Invest in a legacy that will last ... our hope, our future, our children.
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