Encouragement

---

Yesterday, we lost one of our oldest, closest friends, he was 68. Buzz had been sick and in and out of the hospital for a couple of years. Sure, we had probably four months to mentally prepare that he would be gone soon. When that moment comes, when that phone rings, you just aren’t ever prepared. Made me think. What will be my legacy after I die? After you’re gone and people think of your name, then what? Is one of the goals to leave them with a smile?

Buzz was larger than life, 6’ 7” to be exact. He lived his life to the fullest and burned every candle he could find – cowboy, racecar owner/crew chief, Boy Scout leader (he didn’t have children), a Chairman at the largest Rodeo in the world (earning this from hard work and passion, not politics), a commercial contractor, always giving summer jobs to kids who needed to experience the reality of the dollar and where it came from. He encouraged those around him to be more than they ever dreamed of and gave them the “hammer” to do it.

His last two years and death were examples of how he lived, “let’s try it all”. Dealing with heart disease, cancer, loosing a kidney, daily dialysis, being bucked from his horse and thrown in the air my his pet Longhorn steer. He came back from death’s door at least six times and smiled on his way out.

At his memorial service this week, there will be people from all walks of life, from hourly wage earners, to the presidents of some of the largest corporations in America. All with their own stories of how Buzz permanently effected their souls.

What are some of the ways to leave ‘em smiling?

1.) honor your passions and your values

2.) find your soul and live by it; seize the day, take the time, make the moment count

3.) love, encourage and support those around you; family, friends, those attracted to you

4.) go out on the limb for your beliefs; do the work; follow your vision of “what could be”; give of yourself

5.) live with the least amount of fear and negativity; create the fun and laughter

What will be your legacy after your death? You can’t guarantee you’ll leave them smiling, but why not take the chance?


Publishing Guidelines: You are welcome to publish this article in its entirety, electronically, or in print free of charge, as long as you include my full signature file for ezines and my Website address in hyperlink for other sites. Please send a courtesy link or email where you publish to [email protected]


Carolyn Bates is an International Coach Federation (ICF) Certified Personal Life Coach specializing in successful life transitions and retirement for Baby Boomers and people 50+. She is recognized as a Professional Personal Life Coach, Author, Published Writer, Group & Workshop Leader. Coaching Life Design writes a monthly newsletter, has an interactive website and continually creates and offers teleclasses focused on the challenges of creating the life you want.

Carolyn Bates is an ICF Certified Personal Life Coach

Specializing in successful life transitions and retirement for people 50 +


Sign up for her popular newsletter: www.coachinglifedesign.com/newsletter.html

Visit her website: http://www.coachinglifedesign.com

Contact her: [email protected]



“Coaching is my passion. The success of my clients, my reward.”



Copyright © 2010 Carolyn C. Bates LLC All Rights Reserved

---

PLEASE ENCOURAGE AUTHOR BELOW LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE