Seth Godin, as usual, published a very insightful blog post on July 4th. It’s about how we want people to behave on our birthdays. On July 4th, we blow off fireworks to celebrate America’s independence. On Martin Luther King day, we serve. On our own birthdays, we get birthday cards and presents. But what if we asked our friends and family to do something kind for a stranger, or commit an ounce of energy to a noble cause? Instead of buying us something we really don’t need, what if they did something special for someone else? What will that do for your legacy?

When it’s all said and done, our legacy is the story of us that others will share. Everyday, we make decisions that affect our legacy. Want to be remembered as an honorable person? Live honorably. Want to be remembered as brave? Be courageous. People have memories. And with the aid of the internet, those memories are now permanent.

It’s a new generation. We all need to come to the realization that we live in a fishbowl. Not only is our family watching, which is reason enough to live right, but the world is watching. So how do you want to be remembered? How do you want people to celebrate your birthday when you’re gone?

On my birthday, I want you to thank someone that’s encouraged you to move forward in the face of adversity. Someone that encouraged you to move beyond your comfort zone, despite the risk of failure or embarrassment. Someone special. It can be your coach, your teacher, your parent, whoever. That’s all.

Tags: kevin thompson, legacy