Three Ways to Leave Your Mark in this World

I just came back from running barefoot on the sand. I love the feel of the wet earth beneath my feet as I run on the beach. With each step, I leave a profound foot print on the sand. Just instants later, this beautiful footprint is washed away by the ocean. As my footprint slowly disappears, I wonder what kind of footprint I am leaving behind as I walk this earth. “We all leave footprints in the sand; the question is, will we be a big heal, or a great soul?” Do you ever wonder what kind of mark are you leaving on this planet? Is your mark going to be washed away by the waves of time? Do you have a lasting footprint? Do you feel that you’ve grown throughout your life and have a steadier footprint? THE FOOTPRINTS OF OUR LIVES There are many kinds of footprints that we can leave on this planet and in the lives of others. Many might say that the footprint they want to leave behind is a legacy, a famous name, an empire, a fortune, a big family, and so on. Out of the many ways you can leave your mark in this world, I’m particularly fond of the following footprints on my path. These footprints give me joy and purpose as I walk barefoot through life. 1. Loving kindness footprint When we stroll with loving kindness through the halls of life, we leave sweet footprints on the lives of everyone we encounter. The cultivation of loving kindness allows us to perform random acts of kindheartedness as well as act with compassion towards others. The loving kindness footprint is lasting because it transforms us as we touch and transforms others. Walk proudly and spread loving kindness in your path. Your path will be covered with affection going both ways. “Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for awhile and leave footprints on our hearts. And we are never, ever the same.” 2. Passion footprint In my previous post, Catch the Passion Fever but Don’t Call the Doctor, I talk about living your passion. We leave passion footprints in this world when whatever we do in life comes from our heart. When we act in alignment with what we love in life, we can’t help but to leave an enduring impression in the lives of others. Moving through life with passion allows us to be excited about what we do, and this attitude is extremely contagious. Walk your own path passionately and singing your own tune. Your footprint will be unique and unforgettable. “One who walks in another's tracks leaves no footprints.” 3. Growth footprint We are here to learn, grow, and expand in a variety of ways. I’d like my footprints in life to show that I went from crawling, to tiny steps, to mature walking. When we dedicate our life to personal and/or spiritual growth, we leave a worthwhile footprint. Growing is not always easy. Actually, it can often be a lot of work. The growth footprints you leave on the road are frequently sweaty, since learning and growing can be quite a work out. But these footprints demonstrates determination and a life well lived. “Footprints on the sands of time are not made by sitting down.” MAKE EACH STEP COUNT The footprints you imprint on your path show to others what you are all about. To leave your mark on this world, it’s important to make each step count. Walk joyfully through life. Spread passion and love with each step. Pace your stride so that you have time to learn from the lessons you encounter. That’s the mark I’d like to leave behind. These are some of the footsteps that I’d like my children to find imprinted on the earth they walk. Your turn: What kind of footprint do you want to leave behind? How do you feel about your steps in this world? Do you walk firmly with a steady footprint? Share with us what kind of mark are you making in this world. With you always in my heart,rnAndrea