As Grandparents’ Day approaches on Sunday, September 11, many of us will be spending time with the best part of our legacy: our sweet grandchildren. It’s also a time to consider other parts of our legacy and what we want to pass forward to our loved ones in terms of what we believed in and what was important. Here are three suggestions for planning your personal legacy.
1. Ask yourself the one big question
When planning your personal legacy, the most important question is this: How do you want to be remembered?
Many people approach legacy planning with a written legacy statement that answers that question in all facets of their lives. What lessons could be learned from you? What impact do you strive to have on your family or community? How can you make the world a better place?
While it is possible to create an ethical will from your legacy statement to be shared with family members upon your passing, these statements are often just a private reminder that you can use to guide the decisions you make about how you spend your time now.
2. Share your passion
One way that many people want to be remembered is by the things that they were passionate about. Maybe you take pride in your ability to cook. Or perhaps you’ve always wanted to publish a book. There is no time like the present to share that passion with others by showing your granddaughter how to make a pecan pie, starting a blog, or writing your memoir.
3. Give everything (that matters) a beneficiary
Of course, much of the legacy that many consider leaving to loved ones involves money and assets, and those issues are often addressed through an estate plan. However, it’s never too early to take stock of your personal treasures, such as a favorite quilt or a box of photos, and develop a written list of who those items should be given to as well.
Create your personal legacy in a community where life happens. Contact us to learn more about the adult active lifestyle village at Ovation Sienna Hills in St. George, Utah.
