There's a story about some hikers at some high elevations in the mountains who got lost down a trail. It was getting cold and they couldn't find their way out and with the elements closing in on them they were goners. They came across a backpack luckily that had within it some matches, warm socks and a warm sweater, and even a diary of the owner with his last thoughts. Somehow they survived with these rudimentary items until rescuers found them. It turns out another hiker many weeks before who never was found left this backpack nobly for someone else since he knew it would take too long for rescuers to save him. His legacy was to leave something behind for others to remember him.
In closing on homes, Realtors often leave a house warming gift to the new buyer as a
FORGET ME NOT
token. But in life with friends and family do you really grasp how at the end of "moments" in life we should be "leaving something behind" always as we leave our tracks and footprints in people's hearts? Think about that. What do you leave behind?
Good feelings come from loving words, smiles, a personal note, knitted socks, a fun email, a subscription to a blessings newsletter.
What about sharing a laugh, a pat on the back, a compliment, a "going the extra mile" deed, a random act of kindness, an unexpected phone call, a greeting card in the mail? My father who passed away left behind unexpected diaries which I get to reread his daily thoughts in a journal. What a treasure.
What leave behinds are you giving out trailing in your wake? What leave behinds have been given to you that mean something special? What backpacks have you found?
Gary - I stopped and reflected on your words and I think I am leaving a track behind that I a satisfied with. Yes a smile , a kind word, a pat goes along way.
Gary, very nice post. I've given some thought to it, and I do hope that I'm leaving honesty and integrity, as well as availability. I still get calls from clients who bought 2 yrs ago, so I guess I'm doing something right.
Hi Gary,
Thank You for your Profound Post! I thought about Inspiring Influencers. All of those people made a mark by touching me and leaving a lasting impression with me.
I love to bless people by focusing on their deep dreams and empowering them to reach the unreachable!
Gary, I always try to leave nice memories behind and a connection....and am usually successful. It is important to me the way people think of me and remember me.
Gary...
I try to live like this, but I often fall short. Sometimes what I leave behind is not the best side of me, and I have lots of regrets. But I am working on it every day!
Richard, I know what you mean. We all fall short in different ways. Sometimes just doing something out of the blue for a perfect stranger seems to offset those shortcomings a little.
Gary - you did a great job with this. You found a very profound way to get us thinking our own lives and our behavior. Thank you.
Jennifer: You are doing very well my friend. Congratulations. The planets are in alignment :)
Bob: That's good. You've got evidence that your wake is full of the right stuff!!
Dan: You've got it covered both sides.
Carole: Pleasant memories is a superb contribution. I try to leave them laughing. I guess that counts as a memory or they think I am a fruitcake : )
Richard: Stop leaving the not so best side. Leave the best side. Try, try again.
Trey: Ah, the balance in the universe idea. Cool.
Terrie: It doesn't take much really to leave something good behind. Just think about it and practice.
Gary - What a wonderful thing for you to have - your dad's diaries. I should give this some thought! You might have inspired me greatly with this post!
Gary: Very thought-provoking--and I love the photo!! I guess that I have to say that my material 'gift' should mean less to them than the care and compassion that they received (along with the professional assistance!) should be more powerful. I keep in touch with my former clients and try to phone each of them every couple of months, if I don't stop by just to say, "HI." I think that makes them realize that I'm not all about the money--I value their friendship and I think that they know that.
Gary, thanks for your inspiring post. We all should re-examine "what we're leaving behind." Our legacy lives on long after our presence.
Carol: You should write journals and store them away if that is you. It is a tough discipline for you to follow (or anyone) but it leaves a wonderful legacy for someone in your family. You are such a great writer too.
Debe: You have "great" followup with your clients. That is usually the #1 complaint post-sale. No one ever goes back and checks in with them.
Howard: What you leave behind is more critical than you realize. And not money, but the stuff that touches peoples' lives.
Our church has a theme every year, this year it is "Leaving a Legacy"....we all have to remember it's important to leave a part of us in everything we do. Thanks for sharing Gary.
Mary: A great theme for your church. We don't have to think of a legacy as dying and they name the elementary school the Mary Warren Elementary. But if you and I had coffee together and it was a great chat. You appreciated me and I appreciated you. You maybe left me with a book you found that you thought I would like or I wrote down on the back of my business card a contact that would help you in some way, that's the leaving the legacy of the moment. Plus, I'd give you a big to we see each other again hug : ) It's very easy really.
I love this post-you always write home runs Gary!!! I have a thing for greeting cards. I spend time finding just the right one for the right occasion for the right person. I love doing this and always have. I try to write personal messages in them. Years ago when I turned 50 my daughter planned a surprise party for me. The invitation said something like no gifts please but its your turn to give her one of those marvelous cards she's given to you over the years....I'll have a basket on the cake table. I still have all of them in the basket. I never knew how much those cards meant until that day.
Thank you for your post, Gary. It's a good reminder of how we should be doing our jobs, or 'running our life'.
I leave a gift or two; sometimes even material ones ... a subscription to Prevention magazine, a lottery ticket, a bottle of wine or champagne...
Sometimes I leave happy tears (mine included) ... but mostly, I think... I leave my honesty, integrity and my friendship. And I have enough of these to leave behind for every single client.
Just today I got an invitation from a client, to go to their home for dinner next week. They called me to tell me they miss me - we used to see each other every day (while looking for their home); and now they haven't seen me in a few months, although we talk at least once a month. When I get call like this, I know I did my job and I made new friends who 'forget me not'. :)
Cathy: Thank you for your kindness. You and I share the love of greeting cards. They are so personal. That basket is a wonderful idea.
Sylvie: I know you are special and doing a very good job if the clients are inviting you over for dinner. Congratulations on staying close in touch and also your leave behinds were all excellent. I used to have that Prevention magazine too.
Darn of written 3 messages and each time it disappear just before I'm about to submit......Im pouting now.........i was going to say what a wow you are in my life..........you really are my rock and foundation in this A.R world.......I know different people have different platforms they jump of......but you're my springboard, and you lift me high......:-) Thanks you....
Liz: Thanks for me being your springboard here. I love reading all your great articles as well. We each have a little view of the world and the sharing is so much fun.
Gary - This is so lovely. I always try to give a compliment, a smile, whatever I can. I know how good it feels to be on the receiving end. By the way, I am more impressed with your writing each time I visit your blog.
Gary: I always wonder about the impact I have on others. I believe that even the small things you do leave an imprint. I wonder what small things I have done that will be remembered....
I find a kind work and or jesture works very well for many people. it can also make or break a day for some people.
Cheer someone up...say thank you or give a pat on the back!
It truly is so rewarding to give a random act of kindness to someone. Thanks for sharing.
Tom: Thanks, and I really like that you leave compliments and smiles wherever you go.
Chris Ann: All things where you touch people in a good way I believe are remembered.
Wiiliam: Thank yous, pats on back, kind words all lift people. Glad you are doing that.
Laura: Random acts of kindness are awesome.
Gary, I have been lately inspired to take a hiking trip with some friends but after reading your email about the lost hikers... :)
I love the random act of kindness. Let it be genuine, let it come from your heart, and it will mean so much.
Gary... It is a wonderful thought. When I left my country (I was only 6 years old) my grandfather gave me his pocket watch. I have it since... I keep it on my night stand, and it is the first thing I grab when I move to a new place. It is indeed "Forget me not"'... for me.
Angela: Go ahead and hike, that was a story.. : ) Random acts of kindness are so cool, when you do them, or unexpectedly someone does one for you. Spread your wings with lots of love!
Arina: I absolutely love how you validate my thoughts so often with your own life experiences that are so rich with loving moments. Your grandfather's watch is EXACTLY what I was talking about with the leave behinds meaning so much. Your words are like leave behinds to me. Thank you so very much.
Gary,
Thank you for this inspirational stories. Love it and enjoy blessing others. I know how good it feels when someone goes out of their way to notice me and I try to do the same. We just do not know when someone needs a lift or I was thinking about you and I wanted to thank you just because you are you type of note or card. It means a lot. Sometimes just knowing that someone notices us or that we matter may make a huge difference for them during a difficult time or day. You just never know what seeds we plant will come back to us and due season. Thank you for making my day, Gary!
Gary, for some reason this has been weighing on my mind alot lately. I'm so happy to have recently completed my youngest son's scrapbook for his high school graduation. It's not really all that fancy, but filled with love. I made one for each of my boys and I know they really treasure them and will one day know it's one of my "leave behinds" for them.