|
Home / Culture and Society
Legacies Are Societal Actions
By:Leanne Hoagland-Smith
Have you ever thought that you have not done much with your life? During a recent conversation with a very dear friend, she expressed this very same sentiment. I was astounded that this energetic, high family and work ethic person had this negative self-image, but pleased that she felt comfortable sharing this thought.
Quickly, I began to ask her questions about all of the “Legacies” that she had left in this world during the last 60 plus years. Since her retirement, she relocated to be near her daughters, grandchildren and in-laws to support them. This support included taking her grandchildren to necessary school functions, being there for them after school while still being actively involved in her church and local civic organizations. Her high values, unselfish and positive attitudes to overcome life’s challenges became a rock for her family and friends. As we continued to talk, she expressed several times how I made her feel much better. Her honesty provided me with the opportunity to return one of the many legacies that she had shared with me during our 30 plus year friendship.
After our conversation ended, I began to wonder why someone with such incredible gifts and who had personally left countless individual legacies with so many people had such feelings of inadequacy?
Possibly, the presence of the media from local newspapers to television to the Internet may contribute to the development of these feelings. When we hear and see the success of others who have reached high positions whether in business or government, we may start comparing our accomplishments with these high profile media persons. Unfortunately what happens is that many of our “average” citizens fail to understand that it is these average citizens who are the backbone of this country and without their legacies we would not be the country that we are. Plato recognized the importance of citizens over 2000 years ago when he wrote, “ This City is what it is because our citizens are what they are.”
Each of us lives a legacy, not when we are gone from this earth, but when we are here. Our legacy may be something as simple as a smile to a complete stranger to taking the time to help a friend or co-worker through a difficult situation.
Just imagine what the world could be like if everyone looked at every interaction as an opportunity to leave a legacy? What would happen to your personal relationships if you intentionally acted with the desired end result to make each and every interchange one in which you left a legacy that the other person could build upon and then later share with another? Or how about at work? What additional heights could your team reach and how much stronger would your organization be by such “Legacy Leaving Actions”?
With the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and the fourth anniversary of 9/11 on the horizon, the American public is being reminded of the importance of legacies. Citizens both private and corporate across the country are demonstrating “Legacy Leaving Actions” by donating their time and resources to help those affected by this natural disaster. Through the stories of those who survived 9/11 and those who didn’t, again, American citizens can hear and even see how they, average American citizens, left legacies during that fateful day which changed our country forever.
Legacies are intentional societal choices that we make every day. By being aware of these choices, makes us better citizens, better parents, better friends and ultimately makes for a better world for our children and the next generation. So as you venture forth today or tomorrow, ask yourself “Where can I leave my legacy?” and “How will that legacy benefit another citizen?”
619 Words
Copyright 2005(c) Leanne Hoagland-Smith, www.processspecialist.com
This article may be freely published. Permission to publish this article, electronically or in print, as long as the bylines are included, with a live link, and the article is not changed in any way (grammatical corrections accepted).
Digg
del.icio.us
Blink
Stumble
Spurl
Reddit
Netscape
Furl
Article keywords: Internet, media, newspapers, success, Hurricane Katrina, 9/11, organizations, self help, result, legacy, society, opportunity, inspirational, motivational, friendship, citizen, television
Article Source: http://www.articles2k.com
Leanne Hoagland-Smith, M.S. CEO of ADVANCED SYSTEMS located outside of Chicago, IL, is the Learning & Process Specialist. With over 25 years of business & education experience, she helps her clients to double their performance. By uniting systems, strategies and people to create loyal internal customers, Leanne delivers ROI solutions in 4 key areas: financials, leadership, relationships and growth & innovation within a variety of industries including education, healthcare, manufacturing and professional services. As co-author of M.A.G.I.C.A.L. Potential: 7 Capacities for Living an Amazing Life Beyond Purpose to Achievement due for 2005 release, Leanne speaks nationally to a variety of audiences. Please contact Leanne at 219.759.5601 or visit www.processspecialist.com if you are seeking to connect your passion to your purpose to double your performance for unheard of results.
|
|
| Top Culture and Society Articles |
- 1). The Controversy Over Roadside Field Sobriety Tests By : Lance Knowlton
Copyright 2006 Lance Knowlton
Roadside field sobriety tests (FSTs), developed at the behest of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), are commonly employed by police officers during DUI stops to determine whether a driver is under the influence of alcohol.
FSTs generally consist of a battery of three to five exercises, such as walking and turning in a different direction, standing on one leg, nystagmus (using the eyes to track an object), touching the finger to the nose and reciting the alphabet.
|
- 2). Recognizing The Signs Of Alcohol Abuse By : Aurel Radulescu
Alcohol abuse, or alcoholism, is a serious illness that often requires immediate treatment. Not everyone knows what to look for in terms of alcohol abuse, but the truth is that there are very definitive signs that can quickly confirm the need for treatment.
Many alcoholics drink because they are angry or sad, but often end up feeling guilty either while they are drinking or after the effects wear off.
|
- 3). Know Your Personality Type By : CD Mohatta
Our world is made of all kinds of persons. Some do things as they have been done since ages. They talk, react, judge and act exactly as they have seen and taught. These kinds of people hate original and new ideas calling them dangerous for the world. On the other side of the spectrum are people who live life dangerously. They want to break every convention, every rule and live life on their own terms.
|
- 4). Are You A Potential Crime Victim? By : Joseph Garrio
I've been in law enforcement for 17 years and have a great deal of experience working in the street and dealing with the common problems and crimes of the average person. This article addresses the common crimes that are occuring to people when removed from their homes. This is to make you aware of them and how to reduce your chances of becoming a victim.
|
- 5). Year in review - Top 12 News stories of 2005 By : paul wilson1
As yet another New Year dawns, it is time for us to look back on 2005 and view from the outside all that happened. There were joys, triumphs, and tears. That everything that happens is a learning experience is quite true.
Among the many occurrences of 2005 news stories that were significant were:
1. Google made history in June 2005 as its share price made it the most highly valued media company.
|
- 6). Guide to terrorism and world markets By : Mansi gupta
What worse could have happened to the US economy then the 9th September 2001? Some perverted religious fanatics demolished the embodiment of the world trade. Terrorism is a threat to all the nations of the world. The human loss due to these activities cannot be condemned with words. The ruthlessness of the terror traders has an impact on each and every segment of life.
|
- 7). Everything You Do Is Right Day By : CD Mohatta
16th March is celebrated as the day when whatever you do is right. This is a very exciting thought. I searched for the origin but could not find any clue about how this day began. What precisely does this mean - Everything you do is right.
Let me put my ideas across about this day. In our everyday life whenever we do anything, it can be called right or wrong.
|
- 8). Is This Funny: Can We Develop Non-Violent Humour? By : Ivana Milojević
“In its original historical meaning, a cartoon (from the Italian cartone, meaning "big paper") is a full-size drawing made on paper as a study for a further artwork, such as a painting or tapestry. In modern print media, a cartoon is an illustration, usually humorous in intent.” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cartoons
The current representation of conflict.
|
- 9). Is There Income After Peak Oil And Economic Collapse? There Is If You're Clever. By : Mick Winter
Many predict that the world will soon experience an economic depression, brought on by a variety of factors, but most particularly Peak Oil - the lessening production of petroleum. (For full information on Peak Oil, see Dry Dipstick - www.drydipstick.com)
No matter what happens to the economy, you'll probably still need income. Work continues even in hard times.
|
- 10). Escorts Bartering : A Great Way to an Additional Income By : Ispas Marin
When it comes to escorts you should think that they can have a quite different way to make some extra income. I call this bartering. you can think about bartering as a way to get some goods and services at some very cheap ways. It's known that everybody has needs and so do escorts. In almost all the cases this needs that can turn in goods or services are easily procured trough bartering far below what the cost would be for cash.
|
| New Culture and Society Articles |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- 7). Go Celestial with the Celestron Telescope CPC 8 By : Anne Noonan
The Celestron telescope cpc 8 is a high-end professional model with many great features for an exquisite look at the heavens.
Its formal name is Celestron CPC 800 Professional Computerized Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope. This Celestron telescope cpc 8 offers easy and quick alignment and GPS, with quality of optics that is unbeatable. Set up is fast and easy, and the Celestron cpc8 is made for ergonomically correct study of the star.
|
- 8). Best Rated Gas Grills Under $300 By : Judy Simpson
The first of the best rated gas grills under $300 is the Brinkman Pro Series 2210. A very basic grill, it offers a 636 total square inch area for cooking, which is very large in comparison to most in this price range. Its 12000 btu burning capacity is not that powerful, but it does offer three burners.
While the cart on this gas bbq is not as sturdy as it could be the burners are made of cast iron and should last a very long time.
|
- 9). Best Prom Dress By : Kent Pinkerton
Prom night is the most exciting night of high school life-and the most looked forward to. It is the night for dressing up in your best attire and creating an impression that would last as long as your childhood memories. Dressing up for the prom night is every girl's dream.
Prom dresses are generally formal party gowns, long and delicately stunning.
|
- 10). Has TV helped the Online Psychic Readings Industry ? By : moonwhisper
Moonwhisper.com as well as many other psychic reading websites has proven that the internet is a viable venue for professional psychics to display their services and provide an obviously very lucrative service to the major players in the online psychic reading industry. With an increasing demand for high quality and affordable psychic advice rising daily smaller websites are finding it easier to break into this niche market and take psychic service promotions to the next level with a complete line of co branded services on the web.
|
|
|
