We’re writing the story today that we’ll tell in the not so distant future…
If you’ve visited my little blog home you know I have a passion for living the legacy that I will one day leave. I’m a firm believer that whether we like it or not the decisions we make today will determine the legacy we leave behind.
I wrote an entire series about Living Your Legacy starting with this post.
I heard a message on Sunday night by Andy Stanley at Northpoint tv that took that idea and shrunk it to an even more powerful and useful concept. I would urge you to take a few minutes and listen to his message, he’s a wonderful speaker. (You’ll find it at here under
“Your Move”~”The Story of Your Life”)
Every “phase” we live through, in retrospect, becomes part of our story. If you’re telling someone about your days in high school or college you condense it to a paragraph. It’s simply a small piece of the whole of your life.
About your life today, in 5 years, what do you want your story to say? Some of you may be in the midst of life altering circumstances. Some may be grieving the loss of someone you love or the loss of a job. Someone may not be able to have children. Someone may feel overwhelmingly depressed and hopeless about the future. Someone reading this may have a terrible illness…in 5 years, what do you want to tell someone about how you lived through where you are right now?
I’m not in the midst of anything horrific right now. I have been in the not too distant past but right now my burdens are lighter. May I take a moment to tell you how I’ve processed this message?
I’m going through menopause. I’ve gained some weight since May that I can’t seem to get rid of. I feel a bit like my body and my emotions have declared war on me.My story could go a couple of ways…in 5 years looking back I could say…
When I started going through menopause I went nuts. It’s kinda in my genes. I was a hysterical mental case . I gained 50 lbs. I lost my sense of place and my sense of who I am…I’m now scrambling to get hold of sanity again and to regain some healthy habits.
or my story could be…
When I started going through menopause I went nuts. It’s kinda in my genes. I laughed hysterically at myself the whole way through. I upped my healthy habits and learned to eat better. I upped my exercise routine to fight off the bone issues in my family. I’m 52 and I’m aging gracefully with my focus more on other people and less on me than ever before.
This simple “exercise” makes many of my decisions for me. That’s why I loved the message. It broke life down into doable parts…I know what I want my legacy to be overall. But on a smaller scale, am I living today the story I want to tell 5 years from now?
Love and prayers as we live our legacy…one day at a time.
It’s a Beautiful Life Friday over at Inspired Rooms and I’ll be linking to Melissa’s blog. Check out her blog party where you’ll find lots of links to help make your life more beautiful…
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
GREAT inspiration Robin! I too, love Andy and will listen to his sermon later this evening when time allows. That is a great line, Live the story you want to tell in 5 years. I’ve written it down and am taping it next to my computer screen. I am going through something horrific and have been for a year now. It is my hope that in 5 years I will look back and see that it was Him who carried me through it all and as long as it is Him, then I know it will be a wonderful story to tell.
Thanks again Robin. I really enjoy your writings.
~Velvet
Just listened to Andy. Thanks, Robin. I needed it. So, so powerful. So were your words.
My love,
Julie
I’m going there now. I Sooooooo need this. Thank you.
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Thank, Robin. I’ve been going through the same mental exercise all week after hearing Andy on Sunday. You couldn’t have said it better! Love keeping in touch with you through your blog. Blessings today, Jane
Jane I was so happy to see your name! love and hugs~
HI Robin, I have BEEN through menopause, gained some weight that despite my intense efforts of exercising and eating healthy just will not come off, maybe a pound or 3 and then they are bAAAACK! AAAUUUGGGHHH! BUT, I have to say, I enjoy my life. I am happy and serene….most days:) I have been in Al-Anon for 4 years now and it has changed my life. I have many alcoholics/addicts in my life, who are all either gone or in recovery, so this program has been a life saver. In 5 years I hope I will be happy with how I am living right now. I try every day. YOU are a wonderful source of inspiration to me too, so thank you! Love, Pinky
Pinky I just love you girl. I love it when you say you’re happy and enjoy your life. I’m keeping my eye on that goal. love love love to you.
Robin, although I have some years before menopause (I’m 36) my mom had to have a hysterectomy so I can’t look to her as to what to expect. Your blog has been wonderful to learn from. I, like you, try to find the humor in everything so I feel like I fit right in. I love this posting because it’s inspiring. This really makes me think about everyday choices and where I want to be. Our youngest is 16 months old and I have weight I need to loose! I see pictures of you and your hubby at the Cotton Fair and respect you for having healthy habits even though you could stand to ‘let loose’ a bit. Thank you for the inspiration and in five years I hope to say, “five years ago I decided to get back to healthy living and lost all the weight I needed to while gaining very healthy habits along the way”!
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my post today is also about living in the past
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i just love the way you take the time to look at the big picture of your life. being nuts and laughing at yourself is a great quality [one i have to have since i do dumb things all the time
] and you know you have many friends here ready to laugh along with you 
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