Legacy – The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines it as “something transmitted by or received from an ancestor or predecessor or from the past.” It’s how we want to be remembered.
In 2016 I had the opportunity to hike the Grand Canyon from Rim to Rim in one day. As I descended into the North Kaibab canyon trial, crossed over the Colorado River and up the South Kaibab trail; legacy shouted out to me; filling my mind the entire time with thoughts about what it must have been like for the people who did all this work. Bridges that were built, buildings erected, trails laid out, campgrounds created; with many of them now being there for almost 100 years. Their work has passed the test of time and remain there for people to use every day. Going down the North Kaibab trail, there were several bridges built and once in a while, there would be a newer bridge; which we found out later were rebuilt because flooding had taken out the original bridge. So, while “structures” we see may get damaged or destroyed over time, the foundation of the legacy remains and can be rebuilt.
Thus, what is the legacy I’m going to leave my kids and grandkids. What lessons and memories am I passing on to them. How will I be remembered by them and others? And just as some of the bridges on North Kaibab trail have been damaged and repaired; we can do things now to repair relationships and other things that will affect our legacy. What do I need to start changing today?
In hiking we create a legacy with the knowledge of trails we pass onto others and how we respect the trails. Do I take time to greet people I see out hiking? Do I offer advice or show people new trails? Do I stay on the trails and avoid cutting across switchbacks? [We are out there for exercise; so why would I cut across a switchback to save distance in the first place?]
In our personal life, as we get older we begin to see the legacy we are passing onto immediate and extended family members. What habits are my kids picking up from me? Are people responding to me in the negative ways that I have initially responded to them. This has really hit home with me as my first grandchild was born six months ago. What will I be passing onto my grandchildren that will impact generations beyond my grave? What impressions am I making with my neighbors and those around me in my community?
In business, there is also a legacy that we are creating. Having recently been unemployed for 7+ months, I’m now asking myself what did I learn going through this journey and how am I going to pass these lessons onto others? In preparing myself to start a new role I’m starting soon, I’m already thinking about the impression and legacy I’ll be creating and leaving others?
I recently heard about the story of the father who named his son “Odd”. “Odd” never liked his name or knew why his dad named him “Odd”. Yet out of respect for his father “Odd” kept his name, but grew to resent it more and more as he grew older. “Odd” went through life, having a career, getting married, having kids, and growing old. As part of his will, he stated that he didn’t want his name “Odd” put on his tombstone, because he didn’t want to be remember by his name. So “Odd” passed away and a very nice granite tombstone was placed on his grave with just the date “Odd” was born and died. No indication of his name “Odd” anywhere. Yet as time went on, people would come to the cemetery, pass his tombstone, only see the dates and say “That’s ___”.
We will leave a legacy with our hiking, personal, and work lives. The question is what is the legacy you want to leave and are you on the path to create the legacy you want to be remembered by?
Al Andersen 