25. Why are you called "The Legacy"?
It is a term used when discussing wills, ?I am leaving a legacy to my family? ? or something of value that can be used after your gone.
Now this is very personal to me and I do not discuss this to anyone but here it goes. When I was in high school entering seminar I had a vicious sarcasm that could rip anyone to shreds within moments. I was fast ? say anything to me and I would have a come back that would leave you the center of everyone?s laughter. It had gotten to the point that it was second nature and I didn't care of the fallout or who it hurt.
One time I use to have this ongoing banter with a girl named Ann (saving the last name) during a lunch break. We did this often much to the delight of the school. I had thought nothing of it until on day after lunch at 1pm when I went to class early to get a good seat.
I entered the class room hoping to get my thoughts together without any interruptions, but I was not alone ? there was Ann sitting at the back row crying her eyes out. I came up to her and asked what had happened and after a while she confided that it was my words that hurt her deeply and that they do every time. Now most people wouldn?t have given a shit, but for me I realized at that moment that my words could either raise someone?s spirits ? encouraging them, or I could rip them apart to tears and leave them a train wreck. I began thinking just how many people in the past I had actually hurt inadvertently with my flair for abusive language.
I think asked myself - what kind of legacy was I leaving people? Here I was promoting that I was a good person and caring, yet all the time I exuded painful remarks and was intimidating to be around as people feared what I may say to them. I had chosen at that moment that anytime I meet someone I would prefer to leave them a better person ? happier, wiser and encouraged. This was going to be my "legacy" as now so many have done for me in helping me throughout the years in this industry.
Lately I figure that I have another 40 or so good years in me to live life to the fullest. Do I really want those years to be filled fighting people, treating them like crap and stepping over them just so I could rape another dollar from them being a bromaster? When I?m 95 dying in a hospital room do I want to be surrounded by 65k$ or 65 close friends?
If I do not develop Alzheimer by then, I will know I lived a peaceful - successful life measured not by the wealth in ones bank account but by the wealth of friends and those you helped along the way.
With my recent daughter now 1 year old and a beautiful wife who most including myself would consider very successful in the industry - I may have given up opportunities and riches untold - but at what price? I know men who have worked so hard that their marriage has ended in divorce and children are growing up not really knowing their dad because he is working too hard. They are externally rich but alone in their wealth. My family gives me strength and motivation to continue, but I also need them for my peace of mind to work - not longer - but smarter.
