The Legacy Journal

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Note From Dolly

ISSN 1943-8133
Volume 2009-06, Issue 1
June 23, 2009

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Welcome to all our new subscribers this month! You can help build this community of kindred spirits who want to make the world a little better for having been here. Who are two people you know who fit that description? Forward this copy of The Legacy Journal to them! There is a “subscribe” link at the top of the page.

Greetings,

My participation in Capitol Hill Ocean Week (CHOW) was an incredible experience. My personal legacy focuses on restoring and protecting wild places. So mingling with other advocates for clean and productive oceans who support sound strategies to address global climate change was indeed a pleasure. They came to CHOWin the form of volunteers, scientists, congressional representatives and their staff, NOAA National Ocean Service staff, interested members of the media and many, many others. It was a week of fascinating presentations, sharing the latest information and making important contacts. Since the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (FKNMS) is my backyard, its preservation is especially important to me.

Here’s a snap of me with Superintendent of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, Sean Morton (r), NOAA SE Regional Director for the NMS program, Billy Causey (l), and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, our Congresswoman for the 18th District of Florida. She was gracious, supportive, most receptive to our information, and runs her office like a well-oiled machine. That was a joy to experience.

One astounding report from the CHOW meetings was about the Coral Triangle Initiative. It is an example of how the world is coming together to collaboratively address myriad environmental issues. The Coral Triangle is an area between the Pacific and Indian Oceans bounded by six countries: Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Timor Leste and the Solomon Islands. Earlier this year, they entered the first international agreement to create and fund the management of the third largest marine protected area on earth. As they presented this news to the standing-room only crowd at CHOW, it was exciting to hear that they incorporated the best practices of local input and involvement, as we have done here. As I like to say “success leaves clues” and ours are being replicated.

We're all in this together, and making progress. It takes significant involvement from many, locally, nationally and internationally to restore and protect the health of our environment. Is that an effort you’re willing to get involved with? Might there be a program or project you can build that defines your legacy in this arena – or any other? I’d love to hear your legacy ideas.

Think you’re too small to do much? Consider where you fall globally simply in terms of annual income (not considering all your other talents and skills …) here. And if all or part of that is passive income, then you have considerable assets behind it, which probably puts you off the charts. But it’s in giving back that we experience a real sense of wealth. And every effort counts. Start early, or start small – it matters, as this issue shows. Each effort builds on itself, and makes a difference.

Cheers, Dolly

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One day a man was walking along the beach when he noticed
a boy picking something up and gently throwing it into the ocean.
Approaching the boy, he asked, “What are you doing?”
The youth replied, “Throwing starfish back into the ocean.
The surf is up and the tide is going out. If I don’t throw them back, they’ll die.”
“Son,” the man said, “don’t you realize there are miles and miles of beach and hundreds of starfish?
You can’t make a difference!”

After listening politely, the boy bent down, picked up another starfish,
and threw it back into the surf. Then, smiling at the man, he said…”
I made a difference for that one.”

-- The Starfish Story, by Loren Eisley
(this inspired Austin Gutwien, read on … which starfish are you committed to save?)

Do You Create Benefit That Is Touching and Meaningful?

Our last article explored three characteristics of great legacies: inspired, thoughtful and heart-filled. They relate to the conception stage, when seeds are first chosen and planted. With a little nurturing, water and sunlight, they break open and begin to emerge. As they sprout and develop, others can take delight in them. Legacy ideas are like that. The next three characteristics relate to that emergence, and how your developing creation impacts those around you.

GREAT LEGACIES ARE BENEFICIAL. They start with a good idea. It’s one, or one among many, that keep showing up in your thoughts. Each time you think about it, it generates strong feelings. As you consider it (or them), you realize, there truly are a number of ways you could make the idea work or bring it to fruition – create something from it.

You also realize that what you might create could really change things for the better. It could make life easier in some way or fix something that would make a significant difference for others. That brings up other questions, like “What if I actually did this?” and “How might I do it?”

Those questions might be followed by others like “Where would I even begin?” or “Who am I to think I could do something like that?” And of course to that, we ask, well, who are you not to? Good ideas that add value in some way and make a positive difference find support. The key is to nurture them as you would a garden, and grow something from them.

So what if you did take an idea that benefits others and actually do something with it? You might start by trying to positively impact someone you encounter every day and just examine how that feels to you. You may well find that it feels so good you want to do more of it, on a bigger and bigger scale ...

GREAT LEGACIES ARE TOUCHING. The notion of your legacy idea touched you. You find yourself saying something like “Aww, cool! That could work. And wouldn’t it be great to really do that!”

You find the courage to speak up about it and share the idea with others. Not surprising (though it may surprise you), others are touched by the idea, too. Sometimes we are reluctant to admit these ideas to others. We think they’ll laugh or ridicule. (I’ve been called a Pollyanna my whole life – and as a lawyer … imagine!) And they might well do that or at least raise their eyebrows; people who care about us often feel they must protect or warn us against possible harm, so their best approach is to help you maintain the status quo.

But often, they are moved, too. They may just not be in a position to do much more than listen and comment, so if you want to take steps to bring the idea to fruition, it is wise to work with a neutral objective advisor who can help you do that – without laughter, ridicule or judgment, but with the information, support, systems and encouragement to help you actually accomplish it.

As you actually move the idea along, you may find that others are touched in a different way – they actually want to help in whatever way they can. You decision to act generates greater reinforcement from others. When they witness your demonstration (rather than just talk), they realize that what you’re doing is something they can do too, or be involved in. That recognition lets you know you’re on to something and now it’s just a matter of discovering next steps in bringing your idea to fruition.

GREAT LEGACIES ARE MEANINGFUL. As you take action and your legacy idea manifests, it becomes real and tangible. People can see and interact with something tangible that has become an inspiring project. It means something to others, quite likely because of the vibe you generate about how much it means to you.

The benefit you are creating, whatever form it takes, can be seen to make a difference in other people’s lives – both the ultimate recipients and those who get involved to help bring it about. It is attractive – in a magnetic sense. Experiencing that provides a heightened sense of meaning for you, too, about who you are, your life, why you’re here ...

Maybe at least one of the reasons you’re here is to make meaning – touch others in some beneficial way. Develop an awareness of how you do that, what people already appreciate you for. What do you already do that’s really meaningful to you? What more could you do where you’re already involved that makes people smile, feel better, relax, get inspired or energized? Where else could you apply those natural personal traits to make a positive difference?

Applying what comes naturally, what’s easy for you or seems like no big deal, may well be very significant to the people it benefits, to the people who witness it and get involved, and ultimately to you.

In a world where so many seem to be searching for a deep sense of meaning and fulfillment, wouldn’t it be wonderful to create ways for them (and yourself) to actually find it?

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From The Hands Of Babes

Austin Gutwein wouldn’t have called it a legacy when he started. He was just a normal boy, living a normal life, but one day he just knew he wanted to make a difference.

Austin was only around 10 years old when his legacy project was born. He saw a video about children in Africa orphaned because their parents contracted a disease called HIV/AIDS. He realized the kids in the video were just like him, only he was a lot more fortunate; and he was inspired to do something to help. He asked himself the all important question ‘what can I do?’

So he decided to use something he loved, basketball, as a way to help.

On World AIDS Day 2004, Austin pledged to shoot 2,057 free throws, representing the number of children orphaned in a single school day because of AIDS. He got sponsors for his effort, and raised almost $3,000 USD that day. He gave the money to a humanitarian organization called World Vision where it was used to help 8 African children. The experience really moved him … to want to do even more.

After that first event, Austin decided to create an annual World AIDS Day event and recruit other kids to shoot free throws with him, calling the endeavor Hoops of Hope. In that second year he got about 1000 people to participate in a sponsored free-throw event. That year he raised over $35,000. It’s now a 501c3 tax exempt non-profit corporation headquartered in his home of Arizona called Hoops of Hope, Inc. The project has grown to include events all across the U.S. and several international locations.

This legacy resulted from having an idea using something as simple as the enjoyment of basketball, adding to it some action and persistence, the development of consistent systems to create and leverage events, sharing the idea and getting others involved. Here are the benefits of doing this work that have already been accomplished (while Austin continues his “day job” of going to school):

In 2006, Hoops of Hope participants raised $85,000 USD to help build the Johnathan Sim Legacy School in Twachiyanda, Zambia, which will house 1000 kids who would otherwise have to travel over 60 miles to the next closest school. Construction was completed by October 2007, including two large buildings each with several classrooms, a new well, and teacher housing that is under construction.

In 2007, Austin’s organization sought to raise $150,000 USD to build a medical testing lab and voluntary counseling center in Sinazongwe, Zambia. That goal was exceeded by $50,000 USD and the additional money was used to provide 1,000 caregiver kits to the medical lab, and furnishings to the 2006 Johnathan Sim Legacy School.

Because of the overwhelming need for AIDS testing and treatment, in 2008 Hoops of Hope plans included raising enough funds to build a second medical testing lab and counseling center in Zambia, along with additional Care Giver Kits. The total goal for 2008 was $290,000 USD, earmarked for these projects, but the organization raised $405,000, completing construction of a lab in Sinazongwe, building a water system in Kenya and beginning to build a second clinic in Chilal, Zambia. Austin’s organization continues to partner with World Vision, providing an example of how collaboration with an existing organization can be successfully utilized to create your own separate legacy project.

And his efforts and connections allow 100% of the funds raised through the Hoops of Hope free-throw marathon events to go to identified projects. Administrative costs are covered by private donations.

Another goal was to provide 1,000 bicycles for the caregivers through World Vision's partnership with World Bicycle Relief – a simple, sustainable form of transportation bringing these programs to even more people who need them. Already in 2009, Hoops of Hope has completed $120,000 of funding for the Chilala clinic and raised $41,000 for 250 bicycles and 750 mosquito nets for caregivers in Sinazongwe. Goals focus on raising $600,000 more for additional construction projects. Their website provides details. See the amazing power of connection and partnership through replication and expansion of the organization’s current events.

When starting his Hoops of Hope project, Austin realized he could not help the 15 million and growing population of children orphaned by HIV/AIDS. His desire to do something to make a difference also caused him to realize that the inability to solve the whole problem shouldn’t stop him from doing what he could. So he started. And look what he’s done.

What could you do if you only got started? How can we help you figure it out and get going? The world is waiting for your brilliance to make a positive difference, too.

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Email me about someone you know who is living or building a legacy. We’d love to feature their story. Maybe it’s you?!

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As a life-long learner, my life (and office!) is full of books - some I read and reread, some I reference. Here I include some that have been helpful to me in pursuing my life's work:

The Little Book on Meaning: Why We Crave It, How We Create It, by Laura Berman Fortgang

Always Looking Up: The Adventures of an Incurable Optimist, by Michael J. Fox

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UPCOMING TELEPROGRAM!
Our program “7 Steps to Creating Your Legacy” is coming together! Look for it in September. We will be holding fr.ee preview teleprograms (by conference call – attend from wherever you are) in July and August:

Why Women Professionals and Business Owners Must Create A Legacy

What is a legacy and why should you care? What might yours look like?
And why must professionals and business owners create theirs?
Essentially, because you can. And for at least three reasons:

It’s time that you take a bigger lead in making positive change
You are in a privileged minority of people with access to the necessary resources to do something really great, and
It may well be the most fulfilling thing you’ve ever done.

Dates/times and other details to follow – please stay tuned. Invite your friends a colleagues! Or contact me directly to find out more at Dolly@CreatingLegacy.com

A Short Quiz
Take our Legacy Story Quiz online, and share your thoughts! We may use them in a future story.

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Dolly M. Garlo, RN, JD, PCC is the founder and president of Thrive!!^®Inc. and Creating Legacy™. It is a company devoted to empowering business owners and entrepreneurially minded professionals make their positive impact in the world – with joy and meaning.

For 30 + years Dolly has supported clients in many different arenas – healthcare, law and business. While she’s currently best known for her expertise in business development and professional career transition, her clients, members of Generation G (for generosity!) share that her biggest impact comes from her philosophy.

That philosophy is to design your work and create an exceptional life by making sure that all your actions reflect your personal integrity and values, greatest level of wellness, highest and best contribution, and individual sense of abundance – for which you can feel exceedingly grateful. These, Dolly says, are the keys to true, lasting satisfaction and happiness from which you can also “make a positive difference that lasts for generations.”

You can learn more about Dolly and her programs, presentations and products at CreatingLegacy.com and AllThrive.com.

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Thanks and enjoy!

The Legacy Journal newsletter is written by Dolly M. Garlo: http://www.CreatingLegacy.com. If you have any questions or comments, please send them to: Dolly@CreatingLegacy.com.