The legacy we leave our children

As I was preparing a talk on "Balancing Work and Home" just last week, I asked my husband what he would like to be written on his epitaph. He said, "A man who truly loved you." I was deeply touched by that. I remember him mentioning that before, but it was only then that I realized how serious he was! He has quite a number of pursuits, but that’s his main goal. Nakakakilig! Just like in the movie Ocean’s 11. Daniel Ocean planned, executed his plan and risked his life in the casino robbery with the ultimate mission to get back his wife. Someone said, "Aim for something, because if we aim for nothing, we might just get that!"

One of the vital things to having a productive life is having a vision/mission statement to live by. A lot of individuals and organizations have one that they have crafted, but I wonder, how many of us really understand the implications of being focused on one. For example, "Balance of Life" seems to be a major theme in a lot training and development seminars these days. But "Balance of Life" for what? Do we, as we strive for a more holistic life, want to see this epitaph engraved on our tomb: "Here lies (add your name) a balanced person." May I make a proposition? Pursue a balanced life by all means, but do it for a higher purpose.As Anthony said, being balanced in life is like making sure you occasionally tune up your car. If you don’t do it, your car breaks down. But you don’t buy a car to tune it up! You buy to enjoy it and to go the distance.

What is your mission statement? I’m developing one and my initial thoughts are summed up in this statement: "A woman who provided her home a taste of heaven." Tough act, but one I believe worth pursuing.

"What our minds conceive, our bodies (however fragile and aging) will achieve!" Hence, I encourage all of us – moms and dads – to decide in our minds how we want to be remembered. And as we settle the matter in our hearts and minds, let’s determine that our personal missions complement our spouses’ – ’cause we are either pulling together, or pulling apart! Many times, parents unknowingly pursue conflicting dreams – and the ones most damaged are the children who are caught in the line of fire. Will you commit to spend a few minutes this week to assess the "mission possible" you are pursuing ... and link this up with your spouse’s? Believe me, our children are aching to see us "more one."

The 4L-pursuits of man: To live, to love, to learn ... and to leave a lasting legacy!

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Ensure you leave a positive and lasting legacy – join the First Philippine Parenting Convention at the NBC Tent at Fort Bonifacio from Oct. 26-29. Call 435-4281 or 435-4301 on work hours for details.