Open wooden drawer containing neatly organized rolled and folded socks

The Power of Words: Leaving a Lasting Legacy

Words hold lasting power and influence.

I have old family photos, World War II pictures, and many stories shared over the years about my dad. Yet, the stories written down by others provide the most lasting memories of the short years I spent with him.

The month my dad died, his company printed a story in their monthly newsletter. The article described his daily struggle with cancer. It noted how he still worked a full day and served civic and charitable causes. When someone asked him why he kept so busy, he said, “Helping others keeps me alive.”

His life and legacy of service have become my story and my legacy—simply because they were written down.

I have forgotten most of the spoken words about my dad. But at least once a year, I look at that folded newsletter in my sock drawer. It reminds me of his life of service.

What will your kids and grandkids pull out of their sock drawer one day to read about your life when you are gone?

Write it down

Leave A Good Legacy

Leave a Good Wake

Boats leave wakes. Water fans out from the rear of a moving boat creating a ridge on both sides. Directly behind the boat the water is flat.

Years ago my sons and I would take our boat, a 16ft Semi-V Carolina Skiff with a 40 horsepower motor, out into the Atlantic Ocean. The biggest challenge going into the ocean was getting through the Palm Beach Inlet.

All inlets are dangerous, especially for a small boat. Our strategy was to wait for a larger boat to go ahead of us then we would settle behind them in their wake and go out through the inlet. We would follow them into the ocean.

The bigger boat would cut through the rough waters and provide some protection from boats coming into the inlet from the opposite direction.

The boats we followed often did not know we were behind them in their wake. They were focused on passing through the inlet safely too.

We only needed to follow them for 800 yards … just enough to pass through danger safely.

60 seconds of calm waters and we would safely move through the inlet.

Did you know your life is leaving a wake. It is your legacy. Your family and friends benefit from the path you clear over rough waters.

The wake of your life is also carrying people you do not even know.

It may be brief, but it will be essential to their safe passage. Lead well and influence the next generation by leaving a good wake.

Leave A Good Legacy