What legacy will you leave?

Since we learned new ways to “WALK” together last month, have you been trying them out? If you missed my article, you can find it here: BabcockAutoCare.com/Jeanas-articles

While the "WALK" techniques I discussed weren't solely about physical movement, I did touch upon my daily walking routine. I was thrilled that I had more spring in my step with the nicer weather in February … but since then a cold snap and dumping of snow came. Isn’t that Minnesota for you?

I think we all had a sneaking suspicion that an end-of-the-season winter blast was sure to happen. And though it wasn’t the most welcome sight (or feel) for many of us, imagine the joy the farmers had! Our Minnesota lands have been parched this winter. That big inconvenient snowfall was likely an answer to many prayers as the fields soaked in all that moisture! Oh, how our attitudes can change when an inconvenience for us turns into an advantage for others!

Speaking of advantages and continuing with the walking theme, I wonder if you’ve heard of the advantages of walking backward? This practice can improve your balance and coordination, strengthen different muscles, reduce impact on joints, and even enhance cognitive function.

After learning of all these benefits I thought, “Why not give it a go?” So go I did … until I didn’t!

Since I am so accustomed to a brisk, forward stride, I found that reversing directions was quite uncomfortable. My pace was slower, it demanded greater focus, and by golly, the further I walked the dizzier I became. With the unexpected challenge and less enjoyment, I wondered if the advantages of walking backward were worth it.

The answer to this question depends on your walking goals. Are you seeking the benefits of backward walking? Aiming to get in steps along with some fresh air? Desiring to start the day with a good habit that will increase motivation and productivity for the rest of the day? Or maybe a combination of these?

Until I learned of the backward walking benefits, my motivation was a combination of the latter two. I love the extra steps, fresh air, and getting a productive jumpstart on my day. In addition, I typically use the time to enhance my mental state. Sometimes I listen to books, podcasts or sermons—I call this “burning and learning”. Sometimes I simply enjoy the quietness of the morning and let my mind breathe. Sometimes I praise God with worship songs and pray for the people on my heart. Sometimes I organize my thoughts for an article I’m preparing to write. And sometimes, I consider my heart before the Lord—I think about the things I need to ask forgiveness for, seek His guidance in, and get all the things out to rightly live out my day to honor Him.

A little over a month ago, a very dear friend of mine, Lou learned that his father’s (Lou Sr.’s) health was failing—and failing quickly. When you hear such news, your heart breaks for your friend, but when you know the friend’s father and how incredible he was, it tends to break even more. And when my heart is breaking in such a way, I begin to ruminate about the person and weep for what may lie ahead while also interceding in prayer on their behalf—while I am walking and throughout my day.

In the case of Lou Sr., I found myself reliving the memories of being with him and thinking not only about the man he was, but the father he was to my beloved friend. What might it be like to lose a father as incredible as him?

Lou Sr. was born in Italy and immigrated to the US when he was thirteen. He was adopted by his aunt and uncle. He attained the “American Dream” as he founded Lou’s Car Care Center in Baldwinsville, NY. The business thrived under his hard work and great care. Eventually, his son, Lou Jr. joined him in growing the business to the success it is today.

But here’s the real dreamy part of the American Dream: Lou Sr. was so full of kindness and generosity that he loved people in a grand way. His joy and enthusiasm were so contagious that one could not help but smile when you were in his presence. What’s more, he passed his goodness onto so many others—and in a huge way to his son who is much like him.

That’s the real dream, isn’t it? He not only built an incredible business but a lasting legacy. He lived a life of love and passed that love to all –so that when he breathed his final breath on this earth, others would breathe like him after he was gone because he taught them how while he was alive.

Isn’t that what many of us dream about?

What legacy are you leaving? What legacy do you want to leave? Do they align? Who is your role model—the person who embodies the qualities you value and whom you aim to emulate?

I’ve looked up to one special woman most of my adult life—my mother-in-law, Snooks. She introduced me to Jesus and has shown me in so many ways how to live life like Him and for Him. Were I to describe her to someone who does not know her, I would say she is much like the Proverbs 31 woman.

If you don’t know her attributes (Proverbs 31: 10-31), here is a recap:

Virtue and Worth: She is described as a woman of noble character, whose worth is far above rubies (V 10).

Trustworthiness: Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value (V 11).

Industriousness: She works diligently with her hands, whether it's spinning wool, weaving, or working in the fields (V 13, 19, 24).

Wisdom and Kindness: She speaks with wisdom and faithful instruction, and she watches over the affairs of her household (V 26, 27).

Generosity: She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy (V 20).

Preparedness: She is ready for winter and any other situation that requires special preparation (V 21).

Strength and Dignity: She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she can laugh at the days to come (V 25).

Respect: Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also praises her (V 28).

Imagine the legacy you could leave if you were like Lou Sr. and Snooks!

Leaving such a legacy has been a yearning of mine for years and as I’ve contemplated how to make it happen, I’ve discovered we must live life backward—that is, think about what qualities we want others to say about us when our time on earth is over and let that inform our journey before we get there. 

Here I go again with the backward talk—walking backward, living backward. It’s so much easier to go forward and just take everything as it comes head-on without complicating it by going backward. But what if we get a little uncomfortable and do things differently in order to discover the benefits—for us and for others.

Now let’s take it another step backward and consider what it might look like if we were to work backward. Though the automotive industry is what I know, I would venture to say that we can work backward in whatever role we have in whatever field we are in.

Before we get there, I am reminded of what Paul says in Colossians 3:23-24, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as if working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”

I often think of this as I go about any of my work. I put my whole heart into it. And recently, after hearing Bryan Dodge speak at a conference I attended, I consider his wise words, “Things you do for others remain as your legacy.”

There’s some food for thought where our legacies are concerned. What are you doing for others? How are you going above and beyond in your work to bless others? Are you a joy to be around and are you contributing to the lives of those you work with and those you serve? What might they say about you behind your back? Is it what you would want them to say about you? Or do you have some extra work to do in order to work backward well?

Let’s see what working backward might look like in the automotive industry (or any industry) as a business owner.

Success is often measured by forward progress: increased sales, expanded services, and growing customer satisfaction. But what if we changed our perspective and focused on what legacy we want to leave behind in business and work our way backward? When we do this our definition of success changes and so do the people we impact.

For example, if we want our legacy to be one of exceptional customer service, we would prioritize building strong, trust-based relationships with our clients from the outset. Every interaction would be an opportunity to demonstrate our commitment to their satisfaction, rather than just a means to an end. We would instill this practice into our business team and they would feel as though they are part of something bigger than themselves. In the end, every customer would know that our commitment to exceptional service means they would have a good experience no matter what and they would feel cared for. And every team member would feel successful in being a part of that.

Similarly, if we aspire to create a workplace that values and nurtures its employees, we would invest in their development and well-being from day one. This could mean offering comprehensive training programs, fostering a supportive team culture, and providing opportunities for growth. We would care for them as one would care for a family and go above and beyond what is expected—ensuring they feel valued and appreciated. As team members grow in such an environment, this growth is then seen in all aspects of their lives—which can further their legacy and ours.

Can you see the benefits of doing things backward? Can you see the impact it can make?

On February 17^th, 2024, Luigi (Lou Sr.) Cannata breathed his last breath here on earth. We lost an incredible human being. But, my friends, he lives on because the legacy he left taught others how to breathe like him.

Are you doing the same? Your legacy is ingrained in who you are and what you do—in every breath that you take—in your personal, professional, secret, and online life. It is the look on your face, the way you respond, and even in the thoughts in your mind. And according to Andy Stanley in “Better Decisions, Fewer Regrets” (a great book I’m currently listening to as I burn and learn!), your legacy is also determined by the decisions you make.

What decisions are you making and how are they affecting the way that you breathe? Are you breathing life into others or sucking the breath out of them?

If you still have breath in your lungs, you still have purpose on this earth. Might I submit that your purpose is to teach others how to breathe well—to make good decisions in every area of your life, to think good thoughts, and to breathe goodness into others. If you’ve not been doing so, it’s not too late.

Write down the attributes you want to leave behind. And then live life backward in order to work toward your desired legacy.

Get uncomfortable. Like walking backward, it’s going to be a slower pace at first, demand greater focus, and it might even make you dizzy as you learn to do new things in order to breathe better! But just because you have been the way you are for your whole life doesn’t mean you can’t change.

Find someone you want to emulate and start breathing like them. Maybe it’s someone in your life now—like Snooks in mine. Maybe it’s someone who used to be in your life—like Lou Sr. Or maybe it’s Someone who is the best breather of all—Jesus Christ. In that case, He has a whole instructional book that you can learn how to breathe from—the Bible. And with all of the technology we have at our fingertips, there are books, Bible studies, podcasts, sermons and a whole plethora of resources that can assist you in breathing like Him.

My friends, switching directions in life and going backward is not for the faint of heart. It’s hard! But it will also be the most rewarding thing we do—not only will we be rewarded, but so with all those who know us. So let’s work and live backward together and leave a lasting legacy.