Debe Maxwell, CRS and Carol Williams are hosting this month's challenge, which is called "Share your Legacy in a Letter." The guidelines are that we should write a letter to someone in our family, and we should share personal or business life lessons. And we cannot reblog something we already did.
Which brings me to the title of this post, Legacy Part II. It is named that way because I did already write about my Legacy, years ago. In that post, I shared that my children were my legacy. And since that post, I've added two adult stepsons and a grandchild to the mix as well. So for this post, I thought I would do something a little different. This post is for anyone, not a specific family member. It's for anyone who might be interested in a few lessons about life that I've learned so far.
And those lessons are:
You are responsible for you.
This seems so simple, but can be eye opening if this isn't the way you already think. If you're married or in any relationship with a significant other, they aren't solely responsible for your happiness.
And it's also not your parents job to keep your life stress free. And if you work for someone, it's not up to them to make you satisfied with your job.
It's your responsibility.
So if you don't like your job, what could you do? Find something that isn't being done at work that might be of interest, and see if you can add that responsibility. Or start researching different employment fields and take classes in the evenings that might help you move on. Maybe see what other kinds of jobs might be available in your current company, and it doesn't even have to mean a promotion. Maybe just something different.
The same is true if you aren't happy in your marriage, or a relationship, or in school or anywhere else. What can you do to make things better?
Discover who you are and be true to you.
This might sound simple, but may not be at all. You grow up in a household of other people's ideas. Parents tell you what they think you should be doing with your life, and how you should be acting. That's their job, to help you grow up. But often times, parents want you to be like them. And in school, teachers guide you in ways that are true to their own beliefs. It isn't usually until you are out on your own that you can figure out who YOU are. What makes you tick? What makes you happy or unhappy, excited or bored? Are there causes that you feel close to? People you don't? You have to figure out what makes you you. And this is really a life long journey. You might not feel really sure of who you are until you are in your 40s, 50s or 60s. And that's just fine. Keep at it until you are sure of you.
And then be true to that. That may mean you have to have a serious conversation with other people in your life. It might mean you have to move on from other people. Remember, this is YOUR life. Embrace it and live it in a way that makes it best for you.
Make the hard decisions.
Sometimes things are not going well, and something has to change which is also linked to both items above. Perhaps your marriage is not working out, or maybe a friend is sucking energy from you. Maybe your job stinks and you really dread going to work. Perhaps you don't seem to be making any progress on your debt and life is getting frustrating. Or you're not losing weight. Well, you get the idea.
Sometimes one of these things might be going on, and you feel stuck because there don't seem to be any good solutions. Maybe you have two or three bad choices; none will be perfect. In those times, it's important to remember that if you don't make a decision to change something, you will be in the same position years from now. If you continue doing what you've always done, you'll get what you have always gotten.
So maybe you have to just pick the least terrible choice. And take that first step towards it, whatever it is. Make a decision and accept whatever happens as a result. Because if you don't, nothing will change.
Learn and Love
Don't be afraid to try new things and learn new things. Some of the most enjoyable times in life are when you're doing something differently or trying something new. Growth also comes when you are attempting something you didn't think you could do. If taking chances and learning new things doesn't sound like you (and of course you have to be true to you!), then maybe try something small at first. Drive a different route home. Get gas at a different gas station. Wear a color you don't normally wear. Say hello to someone you'd love to know better. And see if it pumps you up a bit. And if it does, try something else. And before you know it you could be hot air ballooning or rock climbing or glass blowing!
As for love, start with yourself. Love yourself, foibles and all. After all, you know who you are. You are your own unique amazing person. Love you. Because if you don't love you, no one else will either.
And as for other people. Don't be afraid to fall in love. If a previous relationship didn't work out well, it doesn't mean a future one won't. Be open to others. Strangers are friends we haven't met yet. Talk to people. Accept invitations to do things. Invite people to come to an event with you. Just let life happen without over analyzing things. You might get hurt. You might have another failed relationship. But if that happens, learn what went wrong and don't repeat whatever part you might have had in whatever went wrong. And keep talking to people. And keep meeting them. We aren't meant to be alone. And love is an amazing thing.
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That's it for now!
Images from Kat's brain and AI.
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