Be Your Own Legacy

When a legend passes away in such a tragic way, it stirs something very profound inside each of us.

It has been almost 3 weeks since Kobe Bryant died tragically with his daughter Gigi along with 7 other souls. I had the opportunity to visit the homage at Staples Center with my husband and my son this past week. It was moving to say the least to be in the presence of so many people mourning their hero. The Lakers’ colors, purple and yellow, inundated the air. Balloons, flowers, hand-written notes, shirts and all kinds of memorabilia to express the grief and to say goodbye to someone who certainly made a difference in  the story of basketball, and inspired so many through his determination and talents.

Everyone was taking pictures, including myself, to detain the time and retain those moments as if by doing so something inside of us would still be alive. The love for his family and the  way he overcame his own downs and tribulations were very present in my mind and heart. I had the opportunity to cross paths with Kobe several times at the church which I regularly attend mass. At that moment he was one more, not the villain, not the hero, nor the legend. 

Just one man and his faith with God.

I believe that when tragic events happen, something inside of us is shaken.  Something very precious that resides in our hearts mourns not only the death of the person, but the “perceived death” of our own inner hero/legend. Something  bigger than ourselves has died.

We all have moments where we feel like the villain or the hero in our own lives. 

Tribulations, fears and sorrows pave the road to even more of the same ...or to authentic success. 

Don’t let the inner hero inside of you die. Be your own legacy. 

Honor the life of the people who have inspired you by nurturing those same qualities inside of your heart and the actions you take on a daily basis. Kobe has left us with many moments, qualities and talents that can inspire us to be our best. 

The man left, but the legend is alive more than ever. 

In the same way, we can keep alive those special inspirational talents and virtues that we admire. It's not the same for everyone. For me, it’s the perseverance, the love for his family for you, perhaps it’s determination or the quest to always be better. Whatever that is that stirs your emotions inside, keep it alive, nurture it, embrace it, expand it and your own hero will be alive. 

Live like this every day.

We all go through extremely difficult times, especially during those times, when we experience life giving us a low blow, it’s when I want my inner hero to be in charge and run the show instead of my small self, the one that goes through suffering and defeats. To be able to do this I have a daily practice that I also share with my clients, so they can also have their own inner hero in the driver’s seat of their lives.

I start the day with an intention of being my best while doing the best and I end the day asking myself these questions:

Have I been of service today?

Has what I’ve said and done made a difference ? (it doesn’t matter how small or big it is ... a small difference counts!)

Have I taken a step or positive actions towards my dreams? 

Have I forgiven myself and others?

I turn my fears and judgements to God and I pray for strength to see my gifts and to use them in service to myself, my family and the world. 

So then, and only then, my own hero can rest in peace.

Clara Naum

Executive Coach - Consultant - Author