Leave Your Mark

MichaelSunnarborg / June 02, 2015 Article, Link / Leave a Comment

Do not go where the path may lead, go instead
where there is no path and leave a trail.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

During a recent visit to my hometown, I went for a stroll down the road of my childhood home. During my walk I noticed several homes that were no longer there—homes that over the years had been torn down and now just stood as empty lots. I thought about the people who’d lived in those houses. Some of them had died. Some built new houses on the other side of town. Some moved out of state.

As I looked at one of the empty lots I had a flash thought: Were they even there? How would anyone [today] even know they had existed? It was an odd thought, but not unrealistic.

I thought about what those people had left behind. They certainly didn’t leave a physical house or possessions (on that property), so where did they leave their “mark”? Did they have children? What was their legacy? I’m sure they had impact on the world through their jobs, relationships, and contributions to society, but what did they do and whom did they affect?

I couldn’t help but ponder on my own life. What am I leaving behind? What is my impact? What is my mark?

We are all powerful beyond measure. Everything we do has impact.

Like sponges, human beings are highly absorbent. Everything we do and say matters and has impact, especially our actions and words. We have influence and are constantly influenced by others. Think about what people have taught you. How many times do you think of them or say their name when you recall what you’ve learned from them?

Every time you think of somebody or say their name, they live on… in you. And every time you share that knowledge with someone else, you live on… in them. That’s life.

Having an awareness of our impact gives our lives meaning. Being aware of our power and realizing that each and every day we are living by example—whether we realize it or not—can instill in us a sense of purpose and direction.

So what is your mark? How are you impacting those around you? What are you leaving behind? And most importantly, how are you affecting the world while you are still alive?

This week, pay close attention to your actions and words, and notice how acknowledging your power affects your sense of balance.

To Our Better Balance!

Michael Thomas Sunnarborg

Michael Thomas Sunnarborg is a speaker, best-selling author, and certified life coach. His passion is to help people reclaim their power of choice and find better balance in their work, relationships, and life. You can follow Michael on Facebook and Twitter, or find out more at michaelsunnarborg.com

Need some inspiration? Pick up a copy of 21 Days, Steps & Keys, or one of the other books in the balance series, and start off 2015 by finding better balance in your career, relationships, and life.

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Photo courtesy of me and my footprints at Tybee Island, Georgia.