I want you to imagine this typical scenario with me:
Here’s this kid, let’s call him Abdullah. Abdullah is growing up in a household where money isn’t really talked about (as is with most households in the Middle East). His parents still have a bunch of debt, make monthly payments on the family car, and are using credit cards like they’re free money. When this boy gets to high-school, they require him to take a finance course. Luckily for him, a local business owner decided to help the school pay for a curriculum called The Fundamentals of Personal Finance, where he learns all about how to handle money the right way.
He’s now equipped with tools like budgeting, savings, avoiding debt, and building wealth. Over the years, he puts all these practices into action, and Abdullah changes his own family tree. He’s paid for his first car, all in cash, and he paid his way through college without student loans. He was able to save up for his wedding, pay off his mortgage quickly, and put away money to be able to retire comfortably. He also leaves an inheritance for his family and a legacy in his community. Eventually, Abdullah becomes amazingly generous and gives back by donating to his local school by sponsoring a personal finance curriculum for its high-school students. Now I want you to imagine if you were the person who sponsored the Fundamentals curriculum at Abdullah’s high school. Without your donation and contribution, his life and the life of his family may look drastically different. That should give you total confidence that your life and legacy has impacted others for generations to come!
This is why leaving a legacy is super important!
So, what exactly is a legacy?
You should think of your legacy as a ripple effect in your community. Your life is like a rock that gets thrown into the pool, lake, or ocean of life. Your legacy is the ripple that continues long after the rock has disappeared. The best part? You get to decide how far those waves will travel! Look at Martin Luther King, for example. We all know him. He didn’t have wealth or power, but he did have a vision and a voice. His goal was to make life better for future generations, so he spent his days challenging societal norms of those days, striving to end racism, oppression, and discrimination. His peaceful protests and speeches created a ripple effect that continues that same fight for equality today.
Well, then, how do we leave a lasting legacy?
Now, although we may look to people like Martin Luther King for inspiration, we don’t necessarily have to change the world to leave a lasting legacy. It could be things like helping others with your business or raising your kids to be generous and kind. Think about it. By leaving behind opportunities, personal values, or financial resources for others, you’ll be remembered for more than what your resume says about you. I’m willing to bet you want your life to benefit others. My advice to you? Start thinking about how you want to leave a mark on your local community. What neighborhood projects are you passionate about? Where is there a need in your community? Find that local spot where you fit in, and lean into the experience.
The Payoff of Living a Generous Life
The different ways you can create a legacy for yourself are endless, and you have the opportunity to live for something bigger than yourself! You can decide to use everything you have on Earth – wealth, resources, talent, and relationships – to bless those around you even after you’re gone. It’s exciting to think your life can make waves for generations to come, isn’t it?!