Have you taken the plunge and done a DNA test using one of the popular products like 23 and Me or Ancestry.com? I did it a few years ago and found few surprises. My DNA comes primarily from Eastern Europe, Scotland, and a little bit of Native American. I knew my lineage was from Poland based on my mom, grandmother, and the stories they told me. I also knew my dad was half Scotch and half Mexican. Beyond that, all I know of my ancestors was that they were regular people. My grandfather, Donald Munro abandoned my dad and his mom and brother when he was just a boy, but not before leaving my dad with 2 black eyes to remember him by. Years later, when I was in elementary school, he turned up in a sanitarium in Inglewood, CA. His mind was shot from years of drinking and he died soon after. My grandfather on my mom’s side, Raymond Nagel, worked as a custodian at Bethlehem Steel in Tonawanda, New York, then relocated upon retirement to St. Petersburg, FL where he died a bitter old man in 1989. None of my relatives were wealthy, famous, or otherwise remarkable.
If you ask most people about their heritage, their stories are pretty much the same. There are a few who can claim they are direct descendants of somebody famous, but the average person comes from, well, average people. I think down deep inside, all of us wish we could be related to somebody famous, wealthy, or remarkable.
But what if we could change that? While we can’t go back in time and rewire our past, each of us has the ability right now, to become that ancestor our descendant will brag about. What are some things we can do today to become that person our future generations will brag about? Four areas come to mind.
What You Do
Our vocation often defines us. That works well when you love what you do. When I was in the Navy, my vocation was one I was not proud of (a dental assistant) nor did I enjoy it. When I made the choice to do something that meant a lot to me, I put a lot more effort into it and like to think it makes a difference not just for me, but for the clients and audiences I get to work with. Find something you can do that gives you pride, energy, and the chance to impact others. Even if it’s not your day job.
What You Say
Most of us use phrases, words, or expressions that we grew up with. It’s amazing how those stick with us. When I was a kid, my dad told my brother and I not to do a “Earl Scheib job” on a task. Earl Scheib was famous in Southern California for doing cheap, shitty paint jobs on cars. I remember my dad using that phrase shortly after we had our truck painted at Earl Scheib. There was overspray on all the tires and wet paint still dripped from the fenders. I found myself using that phrase as I grew older. In fact my daughter discovered on her own who Earl Scheib was after a google search. She had been using that phrase too without knowing anything about it! What are you saying now that your descendants will remember?
Who You Are
When my dad died, most of the eulogies at his memorial started with “Malcolm had a great sense of humor.” He was known for being a practical joker. That’s the side most people saw of him. It was what made the greatest impact on the people around him. What will people remember most about WHO you were?
What You Accomplished
This is an interesting one since all of us have accomplished things. But in some cases, that is all that will define us. All I know about my great-grandfather Desiderio Gonzalez is that he helped build the Santa Monica pier. Beyond that, nothing. But that job is what our family most identifies him with. Is there something amazing that you accomplished whose story will be passed on to future generations? If not, why not start working on that now?
A legacy is the one thing we will never grasp the full effect of, simply because it won’t be defined until after we’re long gone. Knowing that means that we have an opportunity each day to invest in it. As we wind out this first month of the new year, think about what you’ll be doing in the next 11 months to build that legacy. I know I will.
