Leaving a legacy

I was in the car with my 14 year old sister driving around Port Charlotte, Fl., iPod plugged in, shuffle all songs, and Katy Perry comes on. Probably wondering why I have Katy Perry in my music library. So my sister starts singing along..."baby you're a firework, come on show em what you're worth, make them say Oh Oh Oh..." I remember thinking, wow these lyrics are a little insane; but insane in a good way. I decided to go home, do what I do best, and YouTube. Finally found a video with the lyrics and so I watched and read the lyrics, while my sister is singing the song.

I started to winder how many individuals have we ever read or heard about that did something incredible, kinda like a firework of a generation? What about Mother Teresa, Martin Luther King, Jr., Ronald Regan, John F. Kennedy, Michael Jackson, and well the most controversial, Jesus Christ....Think about it! What do all of these people have in common? They left their mark on this world, a firework of their "time", and leaving a legacy that would last a persons lifetime.

On my way to the airport today, I got a call and heard about a friend who had passed away last night. She had battled leukemia for a while now. Doctors told her on December 19th, that she only had a few days to live. I would look at her Facebook page, watch videos that were taken of her, hear all the stories and pictures many would share about her. Bottom line, she was an amazing young woman. She impacted everyone who came in contact with her.

Once I got past TSA and was able to sit a the gate and process, I started to think, "WOW!! It seems like 2011 is starting out the way 2010 ended!" I'll be honest, even as a Christ-Follower, it sucks when good people lose a battle with cancer or taken from us so suddenly. I couldn't wrap my mind around all the people who were diagnosed with a disease in 2010 and all those who had passed. Sitting on the plane, I plugged in my ear buds into the iPod and no lie, the first song on the shuffle play list, Katy Perry "Firework". I was like, "O.k. God, what is the deal with this song?"

Many of those that I lost in 2010 and even my friend I learned about today were folks who left their mark on this earth. Each had an unforgettable and charismatic spirit. The type of folks you instantly fall in love with. As morbid as this may sound, I started to think about my legacy.

I wondered if I would be remembered for all the mistakes I made or remembered for the person I was.

Mother Teresa, Martin Luther King, Jr., Ronald Regan, John F. Kennedy, Michael Jackson, and yes, Jesus Christ.... We don't tent to talk about their mistakes. We talk about all that they did while they were here on earth. I was reminded today, tomorrow is not promised. While we try and impress those around us, ask yourself, what are you doing to impact the world around you?

I think this songs hits me at the core because it's true...I am a firework. I've always said, I have one shot to leave a lasting impression. Well if you're reading this blog, safe to say you know me, and safe to say I live up to those words. Yes, I finally admitted it...I am unforgettable. The way I see it, no two fireworks are exactly the same. Each has their own specific pattern and color, much like DNA in humans. You were created to be different and unique. There is only one you and pretending to be something you're not or impressing others around you, well...just ain't cool!!!

So the question is how are you impacting those around you? What does your legacy look like? Are you going to continue to be a copy or stay an original?

Check out the video! More to come kiddos...