What will your legacy be

What Will Your Legacy Be?

August invites us to reflect on the legacy we are creating. It’s a question that stirs deep contemplation and calls us to consider what we’ll leave behind when our time here is done. For me, this question is deeply rooted in the stories of my family, particularly the generations of farmers who worked the land where I grew up.

Three generations of my family have farmed the same homestead. My father took over the farm from his father, and now my brother works the land with his own son. The soil, the crops, the barn, and the fields are a legacy passed down through the years—a living testament to hard work, resilience, and a commitment to nurturing the land.

I wasn’t cut out for farm work in the traditional sense. My sisters often tease me about my lack of expertise in the various chores that came with farm life. While my brothers and sisters were out in the fields or handling livestock, I was inside doing the housework—setting the table, washing dishes, dusting the furniture, and cleaning our bedrooms. I did have a few farm duties—nothing too glamorous, but necessary, nonetheless.

One chore I dreaded was gathering eggs from the chickens. If you’ve never been pecked by an angry hen, you haven’t lived! I just couldn’t avoid ruffling their feathers, and they weren’t shy about letting me know they didn’t appreciate it.

Another task was during haying season, when the bales were to be lifted into the hayloft. My job was to drive the little Ford tractor and pull the bales to the loft. It wasn’t a glamorous job, but it was important. The challenge came with the fact that I had to drive the tractor in reverse for a good distance, making sure to avoid obstacles like the pump house, a tree, and the back door of the house. It was a delicate maneuver—one that required focus and precision. That was the only time I was trusted behind the wheel of a tractor, and I felt the weight of the responsibility.

When I graduated from high school, the path ahead wasn’t assumed for everyone. In my small rural town, only a few of us were expected to pursue a college education—those who aspired to become doctors, teachers, or nurses. The rest of us were expected to find work and get on with the business of life. I remember feeling the pull of expectations, which led me to follow a more practical route. I was encouraged to pursue a One-Year Secretarial Certificate because writing, as a career, was considered impractical for someone like me, someone with ordinary abilities.

But as I reflect on it now, I realize that my legacy had already begun. It began the moment I took my first breath. The story of my life started then, and in that story, the transition from ordinary to extraordinary began. Legacy isn’t just about accumulating wealth or possessions; it’s about every moment, every interaction, and every choice that shapes our story.

Your legacy isn’t found in the “stuff” you accumulate—your wealth, your property, or your physical belongings. Your legacy is found in the way you live your life, how you treat others, the kindness you show, and the love you give. It’s about the respect you extend to your loved ones, your colleagues, your community, and to the world around you.

At times, it may feel like life is just a series of challenges. It might take every ounce of creativity, inspiration, and resilience to keep it all together. But remember, the struggles we face don’t define us. They are simply part of the story. What matters most is our ability to push forward with faith, knowing that whatever is challenging us will eventually pass. We stay focused on living out our legacy—a legacy that tells the story of a life well-lived.

My legacy is built on the stories I share—my own story and helping others share theirs. It’s in the way I write and speak, the way I connect with people, and the way I help them find their own voice. I believe that stories hold power—they are a means of healing, transformation, and connection. The stories we tell become our legacy, not just for those who hear them, but for the generations that follow.

A legacy can take many forms: an inheritance, a family heirloom, a heritage, a birthright, or even something as intangible as wisdom passed down through generations. Some legacies are grand and tangible—perhaps a family farm or a business empire. Others are more subtle, like the lessons we teach, the love we give, or the ways we inspire others to become their best selves.

What will your legacy be? Will it be the simple yet profound impact of making fabulous birthday cakes that bring joy to others? Will it be creating a home filled with warmth, love, and comfort, a place where people feel safe and welcome? Perhaps your legacy will be found in the way you inspire young minds, encouraging them to explore new worlds and embrace new possibilities.

Maybe your legacy will be the seeds you plant that grow to nourish both hungry bodies and hungry minds—seeds of hope, kindness, and compassion. Or perhaps you will leave behind a written legacy—words that speak to the issues of your time and inspire great change.

For some, a legacy is a lifetime of creative work, the pursuit of a dream, or a commitment to a cause greater than oneself. It could be an artist’s body of work, a scientist’s groundbreaking discovery, or an advocate’s tireless efforts to make the world a better place.

How will you be remembered? What is the story of your legacy?

The beauty of legacy is that it’s not entirely about what we leave behind. More importantly, it’s also about the impact we have in the present. We are all planting seeds every day, and those seeds have the potential to grow into something beautiful. Sometimes, we may not even realize the significance of the small actions we take or the quiet moments we share. But those moments, those choices, they all add up to the story of our legacy.

I invite you to reflect on your own legacy. What will you leave behind? How will you be remembered? It doesn’t matter if your legacy is grand or small; what matters is that you live with intention, kindness, and a heart full of purpose.

So, I ask again: What is the story of your legacy? What seeds are you planting today? Please share your thoughts below. Let’s start a conversation about the legacies we are creating—and the legacies we hope to leave behind.

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