As I was laying down getting a little massage this morning to try to rid myself of some of the work stress I’ve been feeling, I started thinking about a little speech I’m giving next week. I was asked to give a 7 minute talk on family. I could pretty much whip up a talk about anything and it would be passable. I’m not super nervous about talking in front of people, it’s just not my greatest strength. The kicker of that sentence is “family.” That’s pretty much the only thing I talk about that I can’t get through without crying like a big baby right there in front of everyone. Doesn’t even matter how big the audience is. I do it in front of one person, I do it in front of 500.
I started to wish they had asked me to talk on business because, honey, I could crush that. That’s my thing. Truth be told, I think I understand my business, marketing, sales and strategy with the best of them. Why didn’t they ask me to talk on that? I never cry when I talk about finding your niche market. I don’t get emotional when I talk about how people are doing direct sales all wrong. I’m righteously indignant about some of the things I “preach” about business because I just know this stuff…but not about family.
I started thinking about where to even begin and how I might make it through this talk (with people that, let’s face it, don’t have a lot of good things to say about me because they believe everything they hear) without looking like a grade schooler. I spent the entire 90 minutes thinking about it. I decided that most of my actions and decisions right now are based on the end of my mom’s life. I started wondering what people might say about me right now if the curtains closed on my life.
Let’s say it’s the end of your life. What is the sentence you want to be said about you? What is your legacy? How would you want to be remembered?
Do you have more than one? Are your actions saying this to people?
Some days my sentence is:
“She pushed the boundaries of possibility by kicking down the doors of what had already been done and paving new paths toward unique personal significance for women all over the world.”
Some days it’s:
“She taught women that with heart and hustle, anything is possible no matter your background, circumstance, education, or experience.”
Usually it’s:
“She was relentless in her pursuit of really big dreams so her daughters would know she loved her life and that there’s nothing they can’t do.”
I have a lot of work to do and I need to make sure my actions are conveying these sentences. I encourage you to write your sentence. What are you doing here? What do you want in life? Write it down and keep it close to you. If you feel comfortable write it in the comments below.
I’m going to cry like a baby on that stage next week and you know what…that’s okay. Those 3 are worth it.
Things of true beauty touch our souls and bring out our deepest emotions. Family is the most precious gift we have this side of heaven – speak truth and life with or without tears. Just be yourself because you are all your family needs!
She encouraged all around her to be the best they could be! She loved her family and the Lord her God with every fiber of her being!
this is kinda strange…. as this morning I was thinking between myself and I…which I do quite often…anyways I was thinking about posting on my facebook page a question…”what is something about me, you will remember after I leave this Earth?” I just thought it would be nice to hear a special thing about myself that my friends and family would have to say….I would enjoy the comments now, as when I’m gone I will not hear them….anyway I just found your thoughts to be on my same page today…yet kinda strange that we somewhat shared a bit of the same path.
You are such a strong individual with so much going for you. You have done so much in the past two years that no one does in a lifetime. The thing is you are compassionate about what you are doing and you have faith in “us” so strange to read this post tonight……hugs to you and ….you are gonna do great!
One last thing…..it’s ok to cry…..
Thank you for sharing your heart, your thoughts and your time! You have inspired me to want nothing less than to be an inspiration to others while maintaining dignity and remaining genuine to my purpose.
My sentence is ” She was loyal to the end and inspired many along the way “
Lindsay,
I just lost my dad on Dec. 30, 2014 – I was there with him all by myself and I can tell you if someone asked me to talk about family right now, I would be a blubbering mess. Speak from your heart. I have only been in the oils for a few months but what I see is you have a heart as big as TEXAS. You knock ’em dead girl – you have got this.
You couldn’t have known but somehow you did. This is the question that has been in the forefront of my mind for the past few weeks. I am the Mommy of 3 amazing girls too and have just been diagnosed with Breast Cancer. I know in my heart that I will be okay. But my mind can’t help but wonder….What is MY sentence?
Denise. It’s never too late to define it. Praying for you. Thanks for sharing.
L
All of you posts inspire me Lindsay. The past few years have been such a battle for me. I wonder often what drives me to keep fighting! The oils have changed my life. I can not explain it. It has pointed me in a new direction~a changed future~a stronger faith. But just like Denise, I do not know what MY sentence is. Oh and your girls are beautiful.
Praying for you Denise! I went through the same thing 4 years ago with 2 little ones – it’s not easy, but the fight is SO worth it!!! Hang in there!
She loved with her whole heart, she lived life with a contagious passion. She taught she daughter and son to know no boundaries that the world is what you choose it to be. She taught us to embrace joy in all the little things in life.
This is what I’m striving for some days are good and others royal flops but it’s all about learning and embracing differences and turning flops into success.
Thank you so much for sharing this. You are an incredible woman who I’m so happy to have been blessed to know through facebook. Maybe one day we will meet
Love this Lindsay! Mine would be something like…
She was genuine and had a pure love for her God, always striving to share his love by encouraging people to use their gifts for His glory. Because when people use their gifts and give God the glory they find a purpose and fulfillment that is like nothing this world can offer.
You do this, Stacy. Well done.
L
I was so impressed by your post about your two year agreement with your husband and how you have held true to and honored that agreement. In the past two years you have laid the foundation for something amazing, but now you are adjusting things to be true and to devote yourself to your family as passionately as you have devoted yourself to creating the Lemondroppers. There is nothing more important you could say to those people than your actions have said to all of us. You are a kindred spirit and I know you are going to rock their socks off and everyone there will finally see who you are and all the ugly things they may have heard will melt away as they sit bawling listening to you share your heart with them!! You got this. :0)
She had the ability to make you feel like YOU mattered the most when she was with you. Nothing fancy, no smoke and lights, just real, authentic heartfelt, cozy love. She championed and facilitated your dreams and lifted you up in a way that helped you believe you could and prayed for you until you did. Then in a way she had finally painstakingly learned was best, she moved on to help others and gave you the space needed to continue to be all God created you to be.
That is what I would love my kids, husband, family, friends, and leaders to say I left as a legacy. #helpmeJesustobelikeyou P.S. Can’t wait to hear your sentence. Don’t forget the ruby reds. 😉
Mine would be: She was always optimistic. Always looking for the good in everything! Full of empathy and compassion for others. And a full heart of love for the Lord…..wanting to please and serve him, so that others could see His love through her.
In thinking about this I can say mine would be: She loved her family and used love and compassion to be her teachers and guide. Not letting anger control my actions or behavior, weather it is in business or family time, is the best thing I can do to show my kids a better way to do things.
I love this & am totally crying reading through everyone’s responses! 🙂 Here is mine:
“She was a fighter. She used her past experiences to help her grow, but refused to be defined by them. She struggled, but was loved deeply and learned to do the same. She found her passion, believed in her success & refused to fail. She lived a life more amazing than she ever dreamed possible and helped others to do the same.”