What’s Your Legacy? | VictorSchueller.com

“I would want my legacy to be that I was a great son, father and friend.” ~Dante Hall

Last week I was discussing how I was involved with starting a community theatre organization more than fifteen years ago.  For a majority of the years that the group has been assembled, I have either been directly involved or I have attended and watched their shows.

Whenever I watched a production as a member of the organization in the early days, I thought about how a simple idea — a simple dream — had manifested itself into reality.  A reality that has literally impacted thousands of lives in one way or another since its beginning.  Whenever I walk into the auditorium and see all those people in the chairs and all the people on stage (and backstage), to think that I was among the few who brought it to life years ago is an awesome and humbling experience.

It’s not about the ego for me.  I completely recognize that if it were only up to me, the group would have dissolved years ago — I have long since disassociated from the group while pursuing a career and raising a family.  Hundreds of other people have grabbed hold of the reins and have poured their blood, sweat, and tears into making the group much more than it ever was when I was involved.  It’s not about me — it’s about the people who have really kept it going.  It’s just awesome!

However, it’s a legacy — it’s something that three nineteen year olds started years ago, and with the help of a lot of people, it has grown and still exists today.  It’s just awesome to know that one dream has impacted so many people.  There are some former performers who have gone on to pursue a professional career that revolves around the arts, and the group was helpful in giving many of those people the opportunity to get started in theatre at a young age.   That was our goal when it all started — to give kids the opportunity to enjoy the arts at a young age.

We all have the potential to leave a legacy.  If you’re a parent, you have the opportunity to leave a legacy every day.  The philosophies and lessons you pass on to your children have the ability to shape their futures.  Everything we do has the opportunity to positively or negatively impact other people.

What will be your legacy?  Will it be a positive legacy that changes the world and leaves it for the better?  Will it be something that impacts the lives of thousands or millions of people?  Perhaps it’s not a lofty goal…Maybe your legacy will to have been a great spouse, or a great child, or a great parent who loved their children dearly and taught them how to live a happy life.  It doesn’t have to be big, by any means!  Start thinking about the mark you want to make on this world, and then start focusing and directing your positive energies into making it a reality!

Your legacy is out there, waiting to be left for someone.  You never know when a simple dream can grow into something that can change others’ lives for the better!

What’s your legacy?  How do you want to be remembered?  It’s time to go and create it!  Bring it to life!

Photo source: freedigitalphotos.net