On Sunday, the world lost an amazing man – Desmond Tutu, and I lost a man who changed my world. I’ve shared his importance in my life before, so I’ll keep it short. I invited him to join my first global hug event in 2008, and he said YES! He then joined a second time before retiring.
It wasn’t his being part of my global event that changed me; although I was grateful, it was the fact that he said yes. It was a reminder that the answer is no until you ask. My hugs movement has changed me in many ways, and he was instrumental in that change.
While I am sad that he is no longer with us (he was on my bucket list to meet someday), I am deeply grateful that he LIVED.
His passing is a great reminder of how I want to live. Let it be a reminder for you too. How do you want to be remembered, whether it’s leaving a room, a relationship, a job, or life itself?
Don’t wait until you are a memory; start today and create the legacy you want to LIVE while you are here.
Moving forward, I invite you to create your living legacy by:
Being aware of your thoughts, words, actions, and feelings, by being aware of them, it allows you to make changes as needed.
Ask yourself how you want to be remembered. Do you want to be remembered as someone who LOVED deeply and was LOVED deeply? Do you want to be remembered as someone who helped others? Do you want to be remembered as someone who truly LIVED their life and not necessarily the life others expected them to live? Figure out what you want YOUR life to look like, feel like, and be like, then begin LIVING it.
Doing the next right thing, especially if it’s hard. Stay present and focus on the next step that you choose to take. One step at a time, not three flights at a time. Focus on this moment and move forward toward the life you want to live.
Finding gratitude in the smallest things, the biggest things, the easiest things, and the hardest things. The more you focus on gratitude and appreciation for where you’ve come from and where you are today will help catapult you to where you want to go.
Mostly, my wish for you is to live this precious life as today is your day to shine. Be bold, be courageous, be YOU! I’m here for your celebrations, and I am here for your sorrows. Let’s live this life to the fullest and be remembered as life LOVERS, helpers, kindness spreaders, and that our legacy is that we gave life our all.
Until next time, I remember you, and I see your dreams.
Here are some of my favorite Desmond Tutu quotes.
Affirmation:
I remember all the LOVE in my life as I release anything, not of LOVE.
Words to LOVE by:
“Always remember that you are absolutely unique. Just like everyone else.” – Margaret Mead
“Remember that failure is an event, not a person.” – Zig Ziglar
