I am fascinated by poets and always have been. They seem to effortlessly paint a reality with the stroke of a word. An award-winning poet named Muriel Ruykeser once said, “The world is not made of atoms. It is made of stories.” When Whitney asked me to write a blog for Sacred Stories, one of my favorite memories as a child immediately came to mind. For years, my family and I would spend holidays at my grandad’s house. Pop didn’t believe in microwaves or modern technology, so he left the cooking up to my Uncle Billy. Without fail, my uncle would make his famous (or should I say, infamous) ham. It was the talk of the family, and not necessarily in a good way.
It’s about time we take back the meaning of the word “bustle” derived in 1350 from a Middle English term meaning “to act with vigor.” Whether you are staying put for the holidays or leaving to spend time with those you love, focus on not only leaving a legacy in every day but also living your legacy in each interaction. Walk intentionally, step by step, with vigor and enthusiasm and you will surely find the magic and connectedness that exists in the space between the activities, the meals, and the moments. Imagine what our holiday experiences would be like if we set our intentions on…
Presence over presents
Family (whether blood-related or chosen) over factions and feuds
Connectedness over conflict
Living our legacy today over waiting to leave a legacy in the far-distant future
We are faced with countless micro-choices throughout every single day. Don’t leave your legacy to chance. Lean into each moment, the comforting and the uncomfortable. Be present, open, and consciously connected. And for God’s sake, please don’t oversalt your ham.
Lindsey Leaverton is an Austin-based wealth management strategist currently serving as the Director of Wealth Management Services at The Miura Group. Lindsey is a part of the Sacred Stories Advisory Group.