Legacy, The Giving Of Life's Greatest Treasures.

Book Review.

Greiff, Barrie, Sandford. M.D.  Legacy, the Giving of Life’s Greatest Treasures.   Loving, learning, laboring, laughing, lamenting, linking, living, leading, and learning. ** (The ingredients of Legacy.)  Regan Books. 1999.

B.G. - conducts a private practice (psychiatry) and is a consultant to numerous business organizations.

Comment.

What a fine resource of practical wisdom about legacy from a professional counsellor who has drawn from his experiences and  has shared some wonderful stories from real life to help us get a balanced prospective about legacy.  I enjoyed my read of this book and received encouragement as I reflected on my own ‘legacy’.  I shall make sure my ‘inheritors’ hear about this one.

Noteworthy quotes from the Prologue and Introduction:  “We are all touched by the ocean, (of knowledge) yet we all remain on the shore.”  “What I know remains far greater than what I don’t know.”  “How he dies and how much he has gained is not the measure of a man but how he lived and how much he gave.”  “Eight themes play themselves over and over again in the music of people’s lives.” **  

“Self-love opens us to lasting relationships.  It allows us to trust and care and share.” (36)  Giving it away is a life-time job. 

Learning is much more than right answers and good grades.  “Wisdom (the result of learning) transcends disciplinary boundaries.” (48)  It is discovered.  “It’s what we learn, after we know it all that really counts.” (68)

In an ever changing world we must understand that rewarding work will involve risk.  “Above all we need to bear in mind that work remains at the center of a spiritual commodity.” (83)

“Laughing and lamenting restore our souls as we move through life.” (91)  Good relationships are all about linkage at significant levels.  “A life lived well is a life of risk (while) understanding the laws of opportunity and probability.” (143)

Leading is the ability to connect ideas to people, to inspire people, and then move these inspired people in the right direction.  “There is no crisis of leadership in this country- there is a crisis in the way we think of leadership.” (157)  “A leadership seminar does not make a leader.” (159)

We all experience loss (leaving) but those experiences are very personal (unique).  We are survivors by nature.  Losing is one of the risks of loving.  “With every good-bye you learn.” (198)

“Legacy is –a personal audit we construct around our own individual experiences as we exercise the right ‘elements’.” ** (203)

henrydirksen.blogspot.com