Legends of the Fall: What Legacy will we leave?

The movie Legends of the Fall is a fantastic tale of manhood. Gorgeously shot, and wonderfully told, that story follows a man through his entire life, with heartbreak and victory and struggle. Rather than parallel the story too closely, I thought that this month, we could explore together a few of the themes that the movie illustrates, and look at how they can appl to our own wild lives.

What legacy will we leave?

No one thinks about legacy until it is too late to leave one.

My oldest son is now 17 years old. He has graduated high school early and is ready to face the world. I can’t help but wonder if I invested that 17 years wisely.. I often wonder if I’ve wasted much of it on things that don’t really matter, and allowed him to do the same.

What happens if we honestly evaluate our legacy?

I know many men who have met their end, whose legacy is that they were an abusive, angry drunk. I know many others, who are known as men of love and loyalty and courage.

Ultimately, your legacy will outlive you. What actions in your life are you purposefully using to build that legacy, so that your children will carry on your values, and enter the world ready to make a mark?

On a smaller scale – you might work your job for a year, or for 20 years… but the same principles apply. What will they say about you when you leave and move on? He was a hard worker – he knew his stuff – he was the nicest guy….

Legacy is something we need to think about all the time – because even the smallest actions shape it.