AUTHOR:
Robb Lucy (Engage Communications Inc., 2015)
REVIEWER:
Emma Scott
BOOK LINK:
https://www.amazon.com/Legacies-Arent-Just-Dead-People/dp/099403170X
REVIEW:
What if you had the opportunity to capture your life’s meaning, and preserve that message for the next generation? For many, thinking about the legacy process can be daunting. In Legacies Aren’t (Just) for Dead People, author Robb Lucy argues against postponing the legacy process in order to enrich our present lives give how significant the outcome ban be on the next generation. This casual read infuses Lucy’s charming personal anecdotes (and quirky cartoon representations of Socrates) with practical steps on how to create a legacy.
Lucy’s definition of legacy looks beyond the fiscal parameters of “inheritance” to include values and memories. It is refreshing to remember that everyone has a story worth telling, and perspective can be infused at any age. Lucy characterizes legacy as an act of storytelling, both on a personal and interconnected level; we tell our own stories, evoking connection to all the lives we’ve touched. This type of “big picture thinking” can help foster happiness in the creation as much as the lasting impact. For example, Lucy suggests that clarifying one’s values to prepare for legacy actually helps us to abide in the present. 21/64 uses Motivational Values Cards for that exact reason – not just to clarify philanthropic identity, but also to help people honor and uphold the values that speak to them on a personal level. And quite ovetly, Lucy argues that legacy creation can effectively counteract the Western phobia of death. Read this book if you need to reenergize your giving or want to start thinking about preserving the experiences that have given your life meaning.