8 Ways to Leave a Lasting Impression

Rant:

I have written about rebelling against the perception that when we reach a certain age, in the eyes of society, we no longer have much to contribute, see: Three Reasons to Revive Your Inner Boomer Well, the heck with society! There are ways we can circumvent that idea. We can leave a permanent mark on this world, on our children, grandchildren, friends and relations. In other words, we can leave a lasting impression.

What do I mean by leaving a lasting impression? To me it can be a shared thought, a deed, a profound experience, like the way someone shows up in a particular situation, that causes others to shift their actions, shift the way they show up, forever.

 

Rave:

We are all aware of people who made lasting impressions on us, whether famous or every day folks. I have a feeling if given the opportunity to ask who influenced them, they would have said their mom, dad, teacher, grandparents, preacher.  I started New Age Aging to share the lasting impressions my 95-year-old Mother has instilled in me and many others. See: When “Do As I Say becomes “Do As I Do”.

Producer Brian Grazer (Splash, Apollo 13, A Beautiful Mind) was interviewed by contributor Scott Simon on CBS Sunday Morning, March 29th, 2015: Brian Graser’s “Curious Mind”.  Simon states, “Grazer had trouble reading as a boy, but his grandmother Sonia didn’t just see the D’s and F’s on his report card.”  “She identified my strength which was to ask questions, to dig inside of subjects, to dig inside of people.  She told me that would have a great value in my life. And it did”, Grazer says, as he chokes up.

My step-son Jesse’s grandfather Herman was a sailor, magician and kid-at-heart.  He taught Jesse how to sail, how to do magic and much more.  Judging from the tattoo that Jesse has honoring Herman, it says everything it needs to say about the influence this man had on his grandson.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Impressions that change our lives can come from not so positive places, too.  When I was 5 years old my Dad’s dad was bemoaning all the regrets he had in his life.  I remember saying to myself right then, “that will never happen to me.”  It was the beginning of my rebellious nature. Thanks, grandpa!

 

Attitude:

How can you create lasting impressions in your life?

–Do what you say you are going to do. Come from a place of integrity.

–Be curious. Take risks.

–Give back to this world.  Mentor.

–Look for the strengths in people. Tell them.

–Know that words are a powerful tool.  Use them wisely.

–Honor yourself and others: old, young, gay, straight, black, white,…

–Play, play, play.  Let them see the child within you.

–And, most importantly, live your best life…with few regrets.

If we can embrace these attitudes, I’m pretty sure we will have accomplished our goal: To say to those who would make us invisible…”GOTCHA!”

 

(Leaving a lasting impression is different from your legacy. Ann Ranson at intentionswork.com encourages people to gather, celebrate and share their stories. This is an intimate and loving gift to their families.)

 

 

Originally posted 2015-05-04 09:55:04.