Leave a Legacy

Note to Alex

By Brian Parsley

November 3rd, 2009

A friend of mine wrote this amazing list for his young stepson.  It’s a set of principles he’s learned in his lifetime and wanted to pass along so his stepson would have the building blocks to living a positive, fulfilling life.  I thought it summed up how we should all live our lives.

1. Always Tell the Truth Even When it Hurts
Honesty is not a situational principle. In the end, it’s yourself you have to live with. Integrity is what makes you who you are. It’s what makes the pillow soft at night and the morning worth waking up for.

2. Give Love
Treat yourself and others with compassion, love and respect. Help a neighbor, help a stranger, and take care of yourself both physically and mentally. Remember, nothing is possible without first believing in love.

3. Treat People Fairly Fair
Be just, be compassionate and be equal. All situations are different but the manner in which you go about handling them should be the same. Don’t play favorites. If you show compassion, you will be able to treat others fairly, and they will respect you for it.

4. Never Do Harm to Anyone – Including Yourself
Don’t talk behind someone’s back, don’t cause physical harm and don’t let someone engage in any activity that you know will cause them or others harm. This has as much to do with action as intent. If you’re honest, loving and fair you won’t want to hurt others or let others be hurt.

5. Keep Your Promises
Your promise is your reputation. Others will judge you by your ability to follow through on your words.

6. Be a Positive Influence
Don’t just set out to make your life better. Help others live the best life they can too. Be a role model. Live the above principles and others will follow your lead.

7. Do the next right thing… always.
If you’re ever in doubt of any decision, do the next right thing.  Don’t worry about the “what if’s” or all the different ways a decision could take you – just do the right thing in that moment.  It will never fail you and there will never be regrets (especially in the long run).

Special thanks to Ben Vernon.

GodSez Quote:”How great is your goodness you have stored up for those who trust & fear you.”-Ps.31:19

DadSez.com Quote:”You learn little from victory. You can learn everything from defeat.”-Christy Mathewson

DadSez.com Quote: “Whatever you are, be a good one.” –Abe Lincoln

DadSez.com Quote:”In the long run , men hit only what they aim at. So, they had better aim at something high.”–Thoreau

DadSez.com quote:”A man is rich in proportion to the number of things he can afford to let alone.”–Henry David Thoreau

DadSez.com Quote: “Fool me once, strike one. Fool me twice, strike three.”–Michael Scott, The Office

DadSez.com Quote: “Choice, not chance, determines destiny.”–Unkown

GodSez Quote: “This is the day the LORD has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it!”

DadSez.com quote :”A good name is to had above gold…”

Next Page »