What would the world be like without you? Depending upon your age, you have had contact and influence early in your life and including today. Just think for a moment who has influenced you and more importantly who is influencing you now. Many people throughout your life will leave a permanent imprint. You will also indelibly do the same for others.

You begin leaving your legacy when you are born. Day in and day out we have contact with many people. I recently read an article from an embroidery company that stated having an emblem on your shirt is likely to be seen by 346 people in one business day. Now this could be defined as passive contact; but let’s examine the implications for a moment. We want to make a good impression. We leave some form of impression no matter what we do; often in only moments.

Leaving a legacy takes longer but it lasts longer and requires constant work on our part. What will be your legacy? Most will agree that life is worth living. But they may ponder the suggestion that we also live our life for the benefit of others. This occurs actively or passively but yet it still happens. There is no requirement that you be wealthy to leave a legacy. There will always be those who have more and the majority who have less.

For more than 60 years one story in particular has called attention to how important we all are to the World. We touch and reach people in ways we cannot describe. We rarely hear reports how this has occurred. To investigate this premise illuminates a new world order. This legacy is occurring with or without your conscious intentions. You’ve heard of those trying to get their 15 minutes of fame. A legacy requires a lifetime to create. Moments build upon moments, years upon years and one day our story is complete. You have an obligation as one who has had more than most. Simply your ability to read and understand this article is certainly a blessing and an ability many still do not have.

The story that began in 1946 carries with it universal truths about our value in creating the big picture (The World). We must try and do the right thing. This is more important than doing things right. The right thing is always the right thing. It’s not always easy to do the right things and sometimes you may even get beaten up while trying to do the right thing. You may be in the minority when you try and do the right thing even though you know in your heart it is still the right thing to do. How many people do you have contact with? Do you think before you give advice or make statements that influence others? Do your actions speak louder than your words?

The story I refer to is told every year and always puts this premise into perspective for me and millions of other viewers. The person acting to do the right thing often doesn’t always know until much later if at all how important they were to the overall outcome. It would be a gift to be given the opportunity to see what your work and sacrifice has done for others and ultimately how it all comes back around.

I know this story very well. I know this because I too have lived a similar story as have many of you. I took a position as chief of police for a small city with a troubled police department. This department needed direction and support, but most importantly leadership. Over a period of 11 months I worked with the employees to create a team environment. We created an environment consisting of trust, respect, support, professionalism and progress. I was tested by some, given ultimatums by others, and yet others seemed to thrive in the developing culture.

During the 11th month I was out of town on vacation and received a call from a staff member. The staff member told me that a commissioner was calling a special meeting to make a motion for my removal without cause. I began to prepare myself for the possibility and to review in my own mind what might have brought this about. Upon my return, much to my surprise, my staff had rallied together to fight my removal. The night of the meeting the commission room was filled with staff members and citizens. The commissioner then made his motion immediately to have me removed. He gave no cause for the removal and said he wanted no discussion about the matter. Another commissioner and the Mayor stated that they would allow those who came to speak to do so. I sat quietly for a moment observing what was taking place in disbelief. One by one each member of the department came to the podium to speak on my behalf, giving example after example of why I should remain as Chief. I never gave intimate thought as to how I handled the day-to-day operations in the department. I simply followed the philosophy of doing what I felt was right and in the best interest of those I was leading. I wasn’t always right but I always tried to do the right thing, not just do things right. The events of this meeting creating a humbling experience for me. This event, however, validated the philosophy of my approach. Even if I had gotten fired that evening I could have left there with my head held high and without regret, knowing I did what I felt was right, and what others also felt was right.

In the end the commissioner not only did not receive a 2nd to his motion he decided to withdraw his motion. I remained Chief for four years until being offered a private sector job opportunity as chief of field operations for a leading wireless internet company. I now own and operate an employee training and business consulting company. I work with other companies to instill these values and promote the mission of it’s owners.

So you see each and every one of us make an impact on many people. We will leave a legacy that hopefully will not soon be forgotten. A world without each of us would not be the same. Leave your own permanent mark. Oh, and by the way if you haven’t figured out the movie I referred to, wait till Christmas and you will have an opportunity to see it again. Keep on Challenging the Process and Improving Your Future. A World without you would not be a better place.

Originally published on Ezine Articles