Category: Legacy

Legacy On My Mind

7/22/2014

Maybe it's my age or just a by product of life. I find myself inspired more often than ever by people who have made a difference for me and others as they travel on their journey.

This weekend I found myself paying my respects to, of all people, by 5th grade teacher. I know. It seems crazy 50 years later; however, I have to tell you that my best friend said when I told her that I was going to his wake, "I thought of you immediately when I saw his obituary." Sometimes you just meet people that you connect with. This man has his own wonderful family yet he always included me in their activities long after I left his class.

Nobody knew who I was when I entered the room. His wife held my hand, his son kissed me and all that were there wrapped me in their love and warmth. I walked in to pay my respects to those who loved him and left knowing why this man had such a strong influence on me. He has left behind all of the things that we should all aspire to - the love of family and respect from all those he came in contact with throughout his life.

What's YOUR legacy?

0 Comments

Making a Difference One Day at a Time

6/13/2014

1 Comment

I never thought about sharing my adventures on line until recently. Having done it, I think I like it.

As you know, one of my goals in life is to seek out opportunities to make a positive difference for at least one person every day. This week was a bonanza for me. I started in Portland, Maine spending two days with members of a leadership team of an organization that exists solely to help others. I am confident that participants came away with new ideas and tools to help them personally and professionally to manage themselves and those around them. I count that experience as part of my job.

I left the last session, as I typically do, in search of a decent meal and glass of wine. The first person I encountered was a frenetic waitress. I immediately got her to calm down so that she could do her job. I thought it interesting that someone other than her manager was the one to do that, nonetheless she was grateful. We chatted about her future plans to go back to school to become a teacher, how excited she was, etc. etc. etc. She was smiling from ear to ear as she went about her duties.

I noticed a woman at the next table who was alone. I was careful not to stare at her, however, I could sense that she was not comfortable. As the waitress handed us our respective checks, I smiled at her and made a comment. This wonderful woman went on to tell me that her husband had just passed away at age 53 and she was trying very hard to move on. She shared with me that she was in Portland for her annual check up for the kidney that her sister had donated to her five years before. She went on to talk about some other things and then stopped to thank me for making her feel normal. Imagine.

Yesterday I attended a funeral for someone very dear to me. It was obvious by the attendance at the service and by the stories shared, that this person touched the lives of everyone she came in contact with. She had suffered with a terminal illness for the past few years yet always remained positive and only worried about others. She called me a few weeks ago and told me that my sons and I 'filled her life with sunshine.' Even in her final days, she took the time to reach out to make someone else feel special. All through her life when people asked her, "How do you find the opportunities to help so many people and make a difference every day for someone?" her response was, "I look for the opportunities to do that. I make that choice every day. It makes me happy." For all those she touched, we will miss her love.

1 Comment

Simply Thank You

6/5/2014

0 Comments

Today I celebrate 8 years in business. I decided I would take my first stab at a blog post to share my thoughts about that.
Here goes.

I have two role models, who are not longer with me, that left me with their legacies. My mother was a person who always put others first, gave silently to complete strangers and brightened every room she ever entered with her smile and unconditional love. I lost my second role model this week. He was a gentleman in every sense of the word. He was brilliant, humble, gracious, loving and one of those people who was smiling in photos even when he had no idea someone was taking his picture. He was a person who could have bragged about his life and accomplishments yet never did. He was only ever interested in 'the other person.'

My underlying goal in life has always been to leave a legacy that people who have had some contact with me will remember. Looking back, I am grateful that I have been able to do that for people who have been kind enough to allow me to - those that know me as well as complete strangers. I will continue on my journey in life and in business to seek out opportunities to make a positive difference for at least one person a day.

Today's cryptoquote is: "It is only the great hearted who can be true friends. The mean and cowardly can never know what true friendship means." Charles Kingsley. My mother and my Uncle Nate exemplified the meaning of being "great hearted."

What's your legacy?

0 Comments

Legacy On My Mind

Making a Difference One Day at a Time

Simply Thank You

Gail Hamel

Archives

Categories