Archive for March, 2011

As I write this blog, I am watching/ listening to a Prime Television program featuring the life of Neil Diamond. Few on this planet would not know of this man, and in particular  his music penned over 50 years. There is something in the words , something in his stage presence… something in the richness of his voice , still strong , still clear and still in tune at the ripe old age of 70 !  Yet for a large part of his life he struggled …he often struggled with self doubt and a dryness when it comes to writing and producing new material for the satisfaction of others.

As a solo act it must be extraordinarily hard to keep the mind , larynx and body in top form concert after concert , tour after tour, year after year.

As I watch the 2008 Glastonbury Concert held  in Somerset England, in front of a massive 200,000 plus audience,  it is truly remarkable how a man ” past retirement age” can captivate such a crowd…. having them singing  swaying and dancing…..many too young to remember the 1960 heydays of such songs as Crackling Rosie and Sweet Caroline.

Most of us will never aspire to the heights of greatness ( especially in the music and entertainment world) such as Mr Neil Leslie Diamond born January 24 1941….. but I still ask the question what Legacy will you leave this world?

As a person who believes implicitly in the Word Of God ( The Bible ) who also believes in Gods leading through the Holy Spirit …I am of the firm belief we are not here to please and impress mankind but rather praise God as as our maker, creator and Saviour through Jesus Christ.

But in saying that I also believe that we should aspire to leave to our off spring qualities and values that we hold precious  in our lifetime. (Something I explain in great detail in my first published book ” Die Old Die Well ! “)

Many people  think leaving legacies relate to leaving things to family and friends such as money, cars, homes, shares, stocks and bonds  maybe a valuable collection ( eg stamps or coins)……

But the best legacy you can leave is knowledge , maybe in the form of  wisdom . Wisdom is as gift from God and as such we can  start certainly by acknowledging  him for imparting this gift to us. It is a real concern to me that so many people fail the wisdom test when it comes to making the right decisions throughout their  lifetime.

Most seem to make decisions that allow them to progess through life on as day to and  day basis but all of us trip up and make mistakes…..some sadly with fatal consequences.

The one down from that are the life changing errors of judgement followed by a further one down that leaves us wondering what would have been if we had done things differently.

Your Legacy shouldn’t be measured  in  quanity but rather quality. The Value should not be measured in terms of dollars but rather be valued as priceless by the recipient.

Take time now to put time into you legacy, and start building that legacy before you die.Tell the benefactor (s) how much you love them , how much they mean to you and how much you want the relationship to be the most meaningful and wonderful you can possibily make it. And never be despondent if some days have some dark clouds and whatever happens never give up.

May making your Legacy your number one priority today!!!

Good Luck and remember to invite God to help you!

Lindsay Walker

26th March 2011.