Nothing is more tragic than the loss of a magical person before they’ve realized their life’s potential, sharing their gifts with the world and feeling the love, energy and gratitude reflected back to them.  Eva Cassidy is one of the most touching example of just this.  Her version of “People Get Ready” is one of my favorite versions of this song that’s been sung by hundreds of people since Curtis May composed it in 1965.

 Listen to: “People Get Ready”

Eva died in 1996 from melanoma, the most deadly form of skin cancer. Her music was little-known during her 33 years of life, but today her soul-stirring voice has reached people all over the world, touching lives such as mine.  Eva’s Story

I’ve had the same questions throughout my life, as many others.  Questions like, “Why do innocent children – with potentially magical lives ahead of them – die of cancer every year while some of the most insidious child murderers live out the rest of their days?”  Or, “Why are people – who live extraordinary lives – taken too soon, yet others – with no desire to live due to horrible diseases – are forced to live miserable lives”?  Many have walked away from their faith, believing if there WERE a God, he would never allow this to happen.  I’m grateful that I’ve never had to experience the depth of pain that would lead me to turn away from my faith but can empathize with those who have walked through such darkness.

I was recently asked how I “know” God is real.  I found the only way to articulate my ultimate knowing was to say that I’ve “felt” His presence and miraculous ways of answering me, comforting me and being with me every day.  When I look back on all the times I’ve been at my lowest, He was there.  He was also there at my highest – during the times I turned my back on Him and focused on others instead of Him – patiently waiting for me to turn back, welcoming me with open arms.

It’s funny how we give Him more time when we need more, which has always led me to believe that’s why we’re given trials to begin with.  For many, it’s the only thing that turns their focus to Him.

This leads me to the questions of:  What do I want my legacy to be?  How do I want to be remembered?  What do I want people to “feel” when they think of me now and when I’m gone?  What are my God-given gifts and talents creating my legacy?

I realize it’s not always the things I place most value on.  The shallow activities that society deems worthy of praise like how many Instagram followers I have or how many likes on Facebook.  Those things will always seem important as long as I’m living in this crazy, shallow world – but when my life is over, they won’t LIVE ON.  They’ll be merely dust.

I want to leave GLITTER not dust.  We all know that crap doesn’t break down and pollutes our water supplies. 

YES … I want my glitter to escape down the plugholes and enter the environment – never to break down.  My color preference is gold, but it makes sense to leave colorful glitter to represent my passion for art.  And yes, this is obviously meant in humor.

I want to live my life in a way that people won’t remember all the things I did, but rather the gifts I shared.  Gifts like writing, art, compassion, generosity, courage, the ability to help others harness their greatness, helping them to realize they were born to live with purpose and passion.  I want to live with SPIRITUAL BOLDNESS.

“Be brave, be kind, be bold, be fierce, be YOU” is a phrase I coined for my Direct Sales team, and it was meant to inspire them to do just that.  Share their God-given gifts and talents with others, living the best, truest version of themselves.   

No-one does YOU like YOU.  Only YOU can show up each day and come close to showing the world the best version of yourself.  Even on your worst day, being the authentic version of YOU is better than being a carbon-copy of someone else.

What do you want your legacy to be?  Do you want to leave glitter or dust?  It’s a mindset.  It’s a decision.  It’s a way of living.  We all have the same 24 hours in a day – it’s that which we focus on that grows, ultimately leaving our footprint on the world.

When you spend time within your natural gifts and talents, all the other pieces of your life miraculously fall into place as an added bonus that you don’t have to claim on your income tax.  A bonus that is worth more than a six or seven-figure income.

You’re finally FREE.  You’re finally at PEACE.  You’re finally living your AUTHENTIC SELF.  You’re finally creating your legacy and in the end, your glitter will be left to pollute eternity forevermore.

“Be brave, be kind, be bold, be fierce, be YOU”. 

Jules

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