november + december's mood
the mood for november + december is legacy.
leg·a·cy - /ˈleɡəsē/: something transmitted by or received from an ancestor or predecessor or from the past. a gift by will especially of money or other personal property
November came in like a complete wrecking ball and completely flipped mine and my family’s life upside down. My grandpa passed on November 19th, 2021, and at the same time, I was assisting my mom close on our first home. This all left me thinking hard about legacy, generational wealth, and the trajectory of my family as a whole.
I talk a lot about building an empire and generational wealth but this past year has shown me that your legacy is much more than material things. Don’t get me wrong, money often equates to freedom so it is still a motive but it’s not the sole focus. Attending my grandpa’s funeral was a confirmation of this new perspective — listening to his friends and family speak on the man he was was so refreshing. He was a man of pure joy and contentment. He didn’t have much but you would not think otherwise because he was just a ray of sunshine to everyone he came in contact with no matter what. I look back on growing up with him and I’m so blessed that he had a hand in raising me. never did that man complain all he did was sip his gin, mow his lawn, go to work, and indulge in simple pleasures. He would wash his car and listen to his music as loud as the speakers would allow; the way I see it he lived a good life.
This whole experience while hard was very eye-opening and has me wanting to lean even more into the things that light me up and bring me joy. By now we all know I have big goals and dreams and money is attached to a lot of them but this past holiday season has me reflecting and thinking about how I want to be remembered right along with what I get to leave behind for my family. I want to be remembered for being the woman who:
felt fear but did it anyway no matter what the “it” was.
lit up every room she walked in with her infectious energy.
created a life she loved, lived and traveled across the world.
experimented and elevated without bounds.
inspired others to live their lives without limitations.
gave back to her community.
created tables, opportunities, and investments for others.
busted down doors and then held them open for the next person to walk right in.
I could write that list forever but most of all I want to be impactful. I want people to look at my life or hear my story and believe that they too can rise up from anything. This past year was hard for me, I had to give up a lot to be who and where I am today and I am so grateful and proud of myself. I had to fight spiritual warfare and continuously choose to heal over giving up. There were days where I didn’t think I’d make it but by God’s grace I am here, I am thriving and if you look at your life I bet you have a lot to be proud of too.
So as I walk into 2022, my hope is that I don’t forget all I‘ve learned but I carry it with me and allow it to guide me. May we all remember that when the lows come they are just preparation and when the highs come may we stay grounded enough to be present and rejoice in the beauty that surround us.
& so it is.
— Six