Remember last year’s Clint Eastwood movie, Gran Torino? It is a story about the clash of deeply held cultures and beliefs, and about the common values of life that unite us all. The story itself is one of legacy, as is Mr. Eastwood’s lifetime of work.
For whatever else it depicts, Gran Torino focuses in on how we impact others, how we are called upon to create that impact, whether or not we respond to the call, and what we leave behind to benefit them (that is uniquely ours to give) when we discover and feel called to give it. The story is as powerful an example of legacy in development as any I can think of. I wasn’t so crazy about the ending, but for purposes of the movie, it fit.
I was especially moved by an excerpt from the lyrics of the title song:
Your world
Is nothing more
Than all
The tiny things
You’ve left
Behind
So tenderly
Your story is
Nothing more
Than what you see
Or
What you’ve done
Or will become
Standing strong
Do you belong
In your skin
Just wondering
And I am wondering the same. Do you belong in your skin? Are you comfortable there? Are you truly exercising your unique gifts and giving back from there to make the world, your little corner of it, a better place?
We have each been endowed with gifts and talents that we are especially good at, that may well be easy for us, and even enjoyable – that can also benefit others. Will you tap into the pure joy and personal meaning that comes with doing what’s easy and enjoyable for you … for others? It doesn’t take hard work to help others, just good work – the kind you’re ready and willing to do. Will you grow into and become those attributes and consciously leave behind those tiny things that you can, or maybe even something more? Are you contributing to life in the ways only you are able?
Start by recognizing today all you are good at and all you are grateful for … then build from there.