I didn't have the best home life as a child. Don't get me wrong. I was housed, clothed, fed, and educated.
Those are all essential things that I don't take lightly. Many didn't have those things and suffered greatly.
My struggle was invisible to the outside world. Since it was my mom, dad, and I, there was no trusted ally to witness what was happening.
My mother suffered from mental illness and never sought treatment. My dad and I spent much time avoiding upsetting her. I never felt safe expressing myself because almost anything could enrage her.
When you're constantly in fight or flight mode, you don't dream about your life's purpose. You worry about when the other shoe will drop and how you will avoid trouble.
When it came to my future, I was less concerned about what I did as long as I escaped the misery of that house. Paradoxically, I wanted to make my parents happy, too.
A lot of my energy went to keeping my mother stable. So when it came to my future, I took the path of least resistance. School, job, marriage, and family. Those were expected. That's what I did.
I always knew I wanted kids, but the rest could have been better thought out.
I didn't know what to do for a living, so I walked through the doors that opened for me. There were no pearls of wisdom from my uneducated parents about what I should do.
I ended up with a safe career that paid the bills. I didn't enjoy it, but I learned a lot. And it's what my parents wanted.
I spent years doing things out of obligation. Looking back, that was a terrible way to live.
What I remember about my parents, who are now gone, is heartache.
Now that I'm in my final chapter, my plans are deliberate. I don't want to spend a minute doing something I don't enjoy.
There isn't enough time.
I want to do joyful things like traveling, writing, and creating. And, of course, having fun with my loved ones.
I want to leave a better world where women have basic human rights. I hope my children remember me as having fought the good fight.
This last chapter will mark my final becoming. I want to squeeze every drop out as my life continues to unfold.
How will your story end?
How do you want to be remembered?
You have a choice to not worry about it at all, or create something to your liking.
Don’t you want your legacy to be beautiful?
There’s still time.
Let me know in the comments how you intend to create a beautiful legacy.
“If you’re going to live, leave a legacy. Make a mark on the world that can’t be erased.” – Maya Angelou
HAVING TROUBLE SLEEPING?
For the past two Novembers, I’ve held a popular yoga and sleep workshop. This year, I decided to divide the workshop into three consecutive classes starting in November.
The new structure will give you a couple of new techniques that you will experience first-hand in each class. This way you will have a clearer idea of what works and what doesn’t. If you’re interested in learning ways to improve sleep, click here for more info.
Well, you certainly switched your life around and are now living a giving, sharing and inspiring life of ‘your design’, for the right reasons. You are certainly leaving a beautiful legacy @Ilona with your words of magic. 🙏🌸
My mother always said I was big boned, and would "never be a skinny mini like (sister) Lori." My legacy is to prove her wrong. It's so petty, but words to a child can leave scars that last a lifetime.