Inheritance or Legacy

Last week, I wrote about being in funk and how to funk-defy.  It's here if you missed it https://jan-mcdonald-llc.mykajabi.com/blog/in-a-funk-here-s-how-to-fight-it.  I am amazed at the roller coaster of emotions that have characterized these last six months. Sometimes it feels like the lift to the top of the ride takes forever. To get my attitude up there takes serious effort, only to crash to the bottom in a flash with yet another disappointment, yet another funk. 

Aren't we there yet? When is this going to be over?  Right now, I just want to lay down on the floor and throw a massive tantrum. This quarantine is lonely, isolating and I'm weary of Zoom, Go-To-Meeting and Face time. I want to see everyone's smiles, and I need hugs. I want an NFL game that is not politicized and a baseball game with fans. AND if one more person tells me my age group is at risk, rolling my eyes won't be the only response that I give. 

Complaining and whining isn't going to make anything better.  I decided to switch to long range thinking, because this quarantine will not last forever.  Six months is nothing in light of eternity.  That's temporary, like an inheritance. We're not going to take anything with us when we pass away. It all stays here. We can leave an inheritance for someone, which will bring temporary happiness. When it's spent, it's gone.

Leaders are not consumed with the temporary; leaders need to have a vision that outlives them. An integrous leader lives their lives by their values and those remain the same. Integrity, faith, persistence, family, courage, love and ________________you fill in that blank, can be modeled and left in others to imitate. (Remember, people do what people see.) AND that can be permanently transforming in someone else, like a legacy.  Our lives and deeds can live on in others long after we die. 

A legacy is long lasting and if you're a person of faith, it can be eternal.  When I started to think in those terms, I could dry my eyes and get up off the floor. 

Soon, hopefully, this quarantine will be over. Life may be different, but our values haven't changed.  That is a happy thought for me. Yes, we can be on an emotional roller coaster...temporarily. The ride will end and we'll be stronger for it. Now more than ever, it is critical to live in line with what we value. Clarity in what we value can be a guiding light not only in tough times, but when times are normal.  Living out our values can be the difference between leaving an inheritance or a legacy for those we influence. 

Thinking long term, 

Jan 

Jan McDonald
The John Maxwell Team