Maximum Impact
This last year or so has had me reflecting more deeply on the concept of legacy. (Legacy in the theoretical sense, as opposed to tangible property or wealth.) In my healing, I’ve been led to some very significant work in the area of family — namely addressing generational patterns, traumas, and stories within my ancestral lineage.
This has been some of the most important work I’ve done and continue to do.
The other day I listened to a short video from Sadhguru, the topic of which was mostly to do with not concerning ourselves with others’ opinions — a whole other important conversation for sure. Yet within this short message, he made mention of the fact that who you think you are, in terms of your personality, is not really who you are when we speak of what we call our “True Nature” –– which is Love, btw –– that your traits are simply a result of what has happened to you in your life, and the events of which have had the maximum impact on you.
It is clear to me, even with a swift review of my life’s events, whom and what were the circumstances that had the most significant impact me — positively, as well as not so. These events, circumstances, etc.. shaped the story in which I lived, and certainly had their profound effect on who I believed I was, as well as what I was worthy of doing, and who I was worthy of being in this life.
In all the unwinding and un-writing of this untrue story, it is without question that one of the most sacred and pointed lessons I’ve learned from my own teacher along the way is that I get to choose. In all ways. I get to choose who I am, how I respond, what I create, how I show up, who has access to my energy, how I live… and so on.
I get to choose.
Just recently I heard Marianne Williamson reference a similar idea with these specific words: “We are not always in control of what happens to us. Yet at the deepest level, we are in control of who we choose to be.”
In this work, I often have clients/students exploring and asking questions about their life purpose. You may have heard me speak on this topic, expressing my perspective that our soul/life purpose does not lie within one specific job or task. That our purpose lies in who we choose to be. That our way of being is what we bring to each experience, relationship, circumstance, etc.. and THAT is how we find and fulfill our purpose — in how we live and who we are in each moment.
In this life, one of the most meaningful and significant ways my purpose reflects itself to me is through my Aunthood. When in comes to “my kids”, I feel so deeply called, and see so clearly the opportunity I have to be someone in their lives who delivers a positive impact. My relationships with them are not about gifts and spoiling, rather the time we share is a divine offering of full presence, undivided attention, emotional safety, space to express, and unconditional love.
I’ve personally experienced the impact of what the lack of all these things can feel like. Thus, in flipping that script, I am aware of the impact I am able to have within my family in the opposite direction. One huge piece of my soul purpose.
What do you want your legacy to be?
In feeling Spirit asking me this question lately, a few things have been coming to mind. I think about the things in my life that have had the most significant impact on me — the painful things I want to heal, and want not to repeat; as well as the wonderful things that have lifted me up and shown me Truth. In living consciously, I find pieces of my legacy in both areas.
I simply think to myself, what is the impact I have on others? Does not one of the greatest aspects of my legacy exist right there? I feel deeply that it does.
We all have gifts to share. We all carry desires in our hearts — things we want to do, things we want to create, dreams we want to bring to life. Sometimes it can feel overwhelming when we take stock of all the visions we have, it certainly can for me anyway. And so I think in the interest of gaining clarity, and focusing in on where/what is best to direct our energy toward, instead of asking what we want our legacy to be, we could ask ourselves instead (or in addition to): Where is it exactly that I am able to have maximum impact?
Are you willing to accept the fact that YOU are also a person who might show up on someone else’s list of significant life events/people? Will you answer the call to address what needs healing in your own family’s patterns? Will you see where both your purpose and your legacy have their respective places in all this?
The impact we have — I feel more than anything that this the legacy we leave behind. It’s in every ounce of what we heal. It’s in how, and with what kind of energy we show up with to it all. This will be how the kid’s will know and remember us. This will be how our creative works will be experienced long after we’re gone. This will be our story — the one we write. The one we choose.
And while the context of the conversations, and the relationship specifics are different, the way I show up here to you is just the same — with full presence, undivided attention, offering emotional safety, a space to express freely, and a place to know love without conditions.
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(She/Her)
The gal behind Held In The Heart. The Community Journal is a space for those who feel deeply to express freely. We explore all sorts of things here, from the real & raw healing stories & creative writing, to the funny & fleeting moments of everyday human life. I warmly welcome you and invite you to explore with us!