Week 169

Positive post Sunday, May 17, 2020- Week 169. 

As I have gained more experience both personally and professionally (that’s my way of saying, as I have gotten older), I have thought a lot about what legacy I will leave behind for my colleagues at work, the communities I live and work in and my family.  

For my colleagues, I hope I leave a legacy of personal and professional growth with a foundation of strong business ethics.  I’m most proud of those whom I have helped develop and influence over the course of my career and the amazing achievements they have accomplished.  My only ask is that they pay it forward and develop the next generation of leaders with the same values that have made them so successful.

I also hope to leave a legacy of service in the communities I live and work in.  I have been blessed to serve on the Boards of many community-based organizations such as, Goodwill Southern California, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Inland Empire Economic Partnership, Redlands Bicycle Classic and the Sacred Heart Parish Council.  I have also served as a member of the Crescenta Valley Town Council and the Optimist Club of Redlands, as was a reserve deputy/officer for over 25 years.  I have had the privilege to work alongside some of the most passionate, generous and skilled servant leaders through these volunteer opportunities.  Communities would simply not exist without volunteers offering their time, talents and treasures.

I purposely saved the legacy I would like to leave my family for last as it is my deepest hope that my legacy will live through them and all future generations.  The legacy I aspire to leave my family is, Jesus.  All I have written above would not have been possible without Jesus in my life.  You see, roughly 4 generations down the road I will be forgotten, but if I’ve done my job, all future generations of my family will “Remember Jesus”.  Listen to this song “Only Jesus” by Casting Crowns and you will understand: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVU3wX7Sbog.  This song reminds me how blessed I am that the generations before me remembered Jesus.  I am especially thankful that my grandmother Nana, may she be resting in peace, and my parents Dana and Ken Rendler carried on our family legacy of Jesus, allowing me to do the same.

What legacy are you handing down to your generations to come?