Baby Steps to Our Best Selves

iGniter Susan S. enjoys practicing gratefulness for her many blessings at outdoor yoga classes in beautiful and green Austin, Texas.

You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just the first step.
— Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Action Item:
Write down your top 3 values and keep them in a visible place, so you can revisit them multiple times each day. Make a conscious effort to embody these values in your daily actions and interactions.

By April Black

The arrival of Neissa’s baby Durant is the perfect inspiration for us to continue thinking about living a legacy-filled life and what characteristics we feel are important to pass along to future generations. As we all know, actions do speak louder than words and the best way to lead is by example. I can always ‘talk a big talk,’ but the way I live my life and handle situations will speak volumes about my values and character. We influence not only our children, but everyone with whom we interact – our friends, coworkers, parents, siblings, spouse – even strangers we meet receive an impression of us. And vice versa! We are all connected and can continue to learn from each other.

In writing this journal, I started thinking about all of the people in my life and what I love and admire most about them. How fun it would be if I could take all of the characteristics I like best and then be that person – a mixture of all of my favorites! What a legacy I could leave and what a vibrant life I could surely live if I were able to do this. I also started thinking about how people would describe me to someone who had never met me before – what words would they use, what would first come to their minds? This is MY legacy and I want it to be a great one! Our Weekly Intention Guide can help you organize your thoughts into a step-by-step plan so you can start iGniting your life more today!

MLK is a great example of someone who left an important legacy and lived out his values. His quote reminds us that to make a change or reach a goal, all we have to do is start. The hardest part is often (if not always) the first step. This week, let’s take the opportunity to think of the people that have touched our lives and have left their legacies with us, and in what ways can we implement their most admirable traits within ourselves. In turn, we can continue to pass these meaningful values along to future generations through our actions. We don’t have to be “perfect” – all we have to do is start living out the legacy we want to leave, take the first step, and enjoy ourselves along the way!

MLK was such a great speaker. Enjoy this exerpt of his “I Have a Dream” speech and leave your own legacy this week and always.