I've been thinking lately about how I live my life. It all began to surface when I was listening to Bill Hybels at the Leadership Summit in August. He was talking about leadership axioms. If you're looking for some ideas and insight in leadership, you might want to check out Hybels' leadership book called, axiom.
Bill, my father-in-law would reply to difficult situations with two sayings... This too shall pass. and It's just a glitch. I must admit I often did NOT want to hear this Bill-ism. But we could count on him helping us gain a bit of perspective through these axioms of his. Unfortunately, he died a few years ago however his words and wisdom lives on -- not because he always said those words but more importantly because he lived those words.
On my desk is a crumpled typewritten saying he carried in his work portfolio. It is entitled, The Best Day of My Life. I have no idea who said this, or when he added it to his treasured pieces of paper yet I am thankful for what he left behind.
As I sit and look at this piece of paper I wonder what my kids, my husband, and my friends will say about me. What will I leave behind? What will they remember of what I said and how I lived? Will these two things be the same? Boy, I hope so.
A person is made by a lifetime of living -- a series of small and large decisions that combine to create a life. We are building our legacy each and every day.
Here's a few things I am trying to remember about the cumulative effect of a living:
axiom (ăk'sē-əm)You know those sayings, expressions or 'isms' we all have.a word or phrase that particular
people use in particular situations; "pardon the expression"
Bill, my father-in-law would reply to difficult situations with two sayings... This too shall pass. and It's just a glitch. I must admit I often did NOT want to hear this Bill-ism. But we could count on him helping us gain a bit of perspective through these axioms of his. Unfortunately, he died a few years ago however his words and wisdom lives on -- not because he always said those words but more importantly because he lived those words.
On my desk is a crumpled typewritten saying he carried in his work portfolio. It is entitled, The Best Day of My Life. I have no idea who said this, or when he added it to his treasured pieces of paper yet I am thankful for what he left behind.
As I sit and look at this piece of paper I wonder what my kids, my husband, and my friends will say about me. What will I leave behind? What will they remember of what I said and how I lived? Will these two things be the same? Boy, I hope so.
Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
Psalm 90:12
A person is made by a lifetime of living -- a series of small and large decisions that combine to create a life. We are building our legacy each and every day.
Here's a few things I am trying to remember about the cumulative effect of a living:
- There is a cumulative value to investing small amounts of time in certain activities over a long period of time.
- There is rarely any immediate consequences for neglecting single installments of time in any arena of life. HOWEVER, neglect or continually choosing to allow urgent things to interfere with the important will have a negative cumulative effect.
Remember the story about the rabbit and the turtle who run a race? I have to admit I've always liked the rabbit's energy but not his attitude. Today, I'm learning to accept and even embrace: slow and steady wins the race! Who knows, maybe it will become a Corinne-ism someday.
What are you saying these days? What are you living these days?
Thank you for this post. I have found myself in the past week trying to take on too much. I need to remember the 'slow and steady' pace of the turtle more often as well.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your blog. It's so true how it's how we live each day over time that impacts us and we don't always see it. The kids just went back to school on Monday. When they are home over break, it's very disruptive to my normal life and routine. I love having them home and it's fun (chaotic fun), but it's so easy to skip spending time with God and other things that I normally do for self-care as I get lost in time with them. It's when they go back to school and I have the time with God that I realize I missed it. I can only say that reading your blog led me to think about what it would be like to carve out time consistently whether or not they are with me 24/7. Thanks! Tasha
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