Journal 5.2: Lizard Legacy

9/20/2016

Journal 5.2: Lizard Legacy

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Please read the following excerpt below and respond to the last question:

"The Lizard Becomes Your Legacy"
from Who Put a Lizard in My Lasagna?
by Sam Glenn

What do you want to be remembered for? When you look back on your life, what will others remember about you? What will your legacy be? Did you use up the best of who you are, or will there be leftovers? The lizard experience was something my mom started by using her uniqueness mixed with a positive attitude. It will be something she will always be known for—hiding a toy lizard in my lasagna and setting something positive in motion that would impact many people.

We all have the ability to create a legacy for ourselves when we care enough to give the best of who we are with a positive attitude.

Your Extraspecial Signature

In the old TV show, the Lone Ranger always left behind a symbol of his greatness—a silver bullet. Zorro did something similar. Whenever he did a good deed, he left his mark, the letter Z, scratched on a wall with his sword.

I leave toy lizards that, if mixed with a positive attitude, will have a positive impact.

What do you want to be remembered for? I want to be known for my kindness and sincerity. That's part of my extraspecial signature. I like to do nice things for others. It doesn't matter if I'm at work or at home, in public or around only one other person. If the opportunity presents itself to act, I do.

This is meaningful to me because of all the people who have done kind things for me. Because of their actions, I am motivated to do the same. It's a pet peeve of mine to see rudeness. There is not a single benefit to being rude. None.

In fact, even when rudeness might be justified, it's better for everyone to be kind. I was once so tired during a flight home that I fell asleep on the shoulder of the woman next to me. When I woke up, I started laughing and apologized.

She might have given me a piece of her mind or even a dirty look. Instead, she smiled and said, "It was my pleasure. You are welcome to finish your nap there if you'd like."

Her gesture was sweet and sincere. It also helped that I hadn't drooled on her!

To act with kindness is to take an opportunity to build a legacy. Maybe your act of kindness is to get involved with a cause that helps children with cancer. Maybe it's being a source of encouragement for others. We've all had times when we've needed help and wondered whom we could call on.

What will your legacy be?

73 Comments

Faith Lucas

9/20/2016 12:18:09 pm

I felt like I had some sort of connection with the author of this excerpt because I also want to be known for my kindness and sincerity. Being an honest and sincere person is something that I thrive off of. I want people to remember me as somebody who is real. I truly enjoy doing things for other people, because I want to see them happy, and it makes me feel really good when I know that that happiness is because of me. A friend recently said to me; "Your kindness towards other people doesn't go unnoticed.", and it really made me happy. I was feeling down when she said that, and it just reminded me that I am proud of the person I have become, and I'm glad that there are people who see me the same way that I see myself.

Marcos Salazar

9/20/2016 01:42:20 pm

You do seem like a person who will help others. Kindness will always be remembered and I am sure that yours will be remembered.

Brett Wilson

9/20/2016 04:42:06 pm

I think you are a very nice, kind person by the way you express what you say on this. I truly want people to see me as a real person as well I want to remember how great we treat others.

Heather Hinkley

9/20/2016 07:47:43 pm

Faith, I agree with you that I want to be remembered for being kind to other people. Also, I think that many people will remember you for your kindness and sincerity!!

Tristen vansant

9/20/2016 08:47:33 pm

You are a very nice and sincere person so keep it up. I hope you can leap forward in your life using your kindness to your advantage.

Giselle Gonzalez

9/20/2016 10:56:40 pm

I'm glad that being kind and sincere is important to you. Nowadays most teens are influenced by social media and it makes them think that being rude and petty is "cool". I hope that you continue to be kind to others and use your kindness to make a difference in someones life.

Roxanne Lane

9/22/2016 10:14:34 am

I totally relate with everything you said Faith! I also think it's so important to be a sincere and real person towards everyone I interact with. There is no reason to be rude, although many people could disagree. Keep doing you!!

9/20/2016 01:38:19 pm

I have a passion for people needing to learn. Education is a human right, and I want everyone to have access to it. I want to be remembered by the person who gave education to a number of people. I assure you I am not the brightest of people but I am one of the passionate about learning and sharing that education. Education has no limit and I want everyone to have access to it.

9/20/2016 04:45:21 pm

Educating people and sharing it to them is very good but I think you are bright because your sharing that information to help them understand and they will remember you by that.

9/20/2016 07:58:01 pm

Marcos, I think it is awesome that you want to make education available to more people! I also agree with you that education is a human right!!

Pedro Salvador

9/20/2016 09:36:50 pm

Marcos I think you would be an amazing teacher, just by the way you speak and how you like to make everyone successful In
Life.

Zoey Hall

9/20/2016 09:57:16 pm

Marcos that is such a wonderful passion to have! I agree that everyone has the right to learn.

9/20/2016 10:57:53 pm

Education is a wonderful thing to be passionate about! I think that if you truly believe in yourself, you will become an excellent teacher. It's always nice to see somebody who believes that education should be a guaranteed right, because some people don't think it is. I think that it's very important that everybody is given the opportunity to learn.

9/20/2016 11:02:49 pm

Education is a valuable asset that everyone should have access to. Its very admirable that you want to make this basic need available to everyone.

Alec Hou

9/21/2016 12:44:42 am

Marcos, it's great that you want everyone to have access to education because everyone can learn something. Some people can't pay for education so you're right that it's a human right. Everyone should have access to it!

Madison Stephens

9/21/2016 08:15:51 am

I think this is a great legacy. I believe you can do it!

9/20/2016 04:37:52 pm

I want people to remember who I am by how kind and nice I am to people and have them remember me in their hearts. Like sometimes I don't think but when I hear other people like my family members and think nobody's around I would hear them he's so nice to he always put a smile on our face. That is what make me happy to hear.

zach

9/21/2016 06:45:52 am

That's good that you want to be remembered as the guy that could always make people smile. I hope people remember me do that as well

Tanner Holt

9/22/2016 08:53:34 am

You are a very kind person. If you just continue to be who you are people will remember you no doubt.

Sincere Mosley

9/23/2016 10:06:07 am

Yeah kindness and treating people right can take you a long way

9/20/2016 07:45:46 pm

I want the legacy I leave to be that I made a difference in other peoples' lives. I people to look back at my life and be able to say she loved helping other people! I want to be a counselor when I get older, so that will be part of the way I make a difference in others lives.

anazzsa williams

9/20/2016 08:37:13 pm

I believe people will always remember you if you do something positive in there life. Its great to know that you want to help people.

9/20/2016 08:48:53 pm

Being a counselor sounds just like you Heather. I hope you get to where you want to be and I would agree that you are very helpful.

9/20/2016 09:38:03 pm

Heather I believe that you would be a great cancelor because you look like your the one that wants to make every teen successful and not the take the bad road in life.

Dylan Osborne

9/20/2016 09:42:53 pm

Heather, changing people's lives is something I feel like everyone wants to do. We can change the lives of many if we take the right approach.

9/20/2016 09:56:01 pm

Heather, I definitely think it is possible to leave that legacy in your name! You are so kind and have a huge heart so it won't be hard for you to be remembered as a loving person.

9/21/2016 12:49:33 am

Heather, you seem like the type of person that everyone thinks is the easiest person to talk to. Being a counselor and making a difference in anybody's life sounds like a great thing for you.

9/21/2016 08:17:46 am

People will appreciate everything you do for them. I believe you can make this legacy come true.

9/23/2016 10:07:16 am

As long as your doing good things for other people you'll be rembered

9/20/2016 08:35:20 pm

I want to be known as that person that did big things ,traveling the world and helping people in need. The who improved peoples lives, like helping the homeless and and volunteering at shelters.I want to be the one who did the impossible. I think by leaving a big impact you'll always be remembered for years and years.

9/20/2016 08:45:55 pm

I want people to remember me by the guy who would never stop talking. Although you can take that in a bad way you can take it in a good way too. I am constantly talking to people and sometimes even pay attention to their emotions so I can cheer them up if they are sad. I like making people laugh and having a good conversation. I want to be the guy everyone could talk to.

9/20/2016 09:44:39 pm

Tristen, you do talk a lot, but you're just a natural talker which makes you more of a people person.

Maria Rodriguez

9/20/2016 11:06:39 pm

It's great that you are concerned of other people's feelings and always try to cheer them up, I think that's a very nice thing to do. I also think that by expressing yourself you are opening up to people which is hard for others to do.

9/22/2016 10:16:33 am

I think you're doing a fine job! It's so awesome that you want to cheer up those around you. Keep it up!

9/20/2016 08:55:01 pm

As human beings we all dream of and want the world to become a better place, not just for us but for our children and grandchildren... That is what I want to be known for even if it means doing the smallest things, it WILL make a difference.
So if we work for it in the correct way, we can actually make a huge change. The good that we do doesn’t go away, it stays.

9/20/2016 11:31:29 pm

I really like that you have such a positive outlook on life. I also believe that the smallest things that we do can make a big difference. Being positive will help you go far in life, and it will definitely help you make a difference.

Cole Mabry

9/21/2016 08:35:25 am

Making a difference even if its small is a great legacy to be remembered by in my opinion because it puts you out in front of the others who didn't.

9/20/2016 09:34:37 pm

I want my legacy to be one that stands out when people recall on my life. I want people to know all the accomplishments that I made and all of the significant people I met. Legacies are meant to be remembered, whether or not you make the best of it is based on how you live your life, but when you make of the best of what time you have you can leave a pretty good legacy behind.

9/20/2016 09:35:02 pm

The legacy I want to leave behind is people telling other people that I was always a good person but never showed it and also that I would always do anything to make somebody's life/day better.

9/20/2016 10:40:22 pm

The quietest people are the ones who impact the most. You can make everyone else's life so much better.

9/20/2016 11:03:05 pm

I know you are a good person pedro, and like I've said before every detail counts. Try to do good little good things for someone every day like helping an elderly women cross the street. I am sure that it will make her feel better.

Zach

9/21/2016 06:53:07 am

That's a good thing to want to be remembered by. I hope that your legacy turns out how yiu want it to.

9/20/2016 09:54:41 pm

When I am gone I want people to remember me as some one who was always kind and helpful. With so many negative things and rude people It isn't easy to find someone very kind but that is what I strive to do. I try to do this in high school and not be the stereo typical cheerleader that's rude but instead the girl that loves to help and loves to see people be successful. I want to become a nurse when I get older so that maybe I can impact someone's life by helping them get better so that they can go do something big with themselves in this world.

Alejandra Leon

9/21/2016 08:41:04 pm

I can assure you that you aren't the stereo typical cheerleader. You seem very kind and I'm sure you'll accomplish your goal b

9/21/2016 12:41:46 am

I want to remembered as the funny, friendly, and kind person that people love to hang out with. When I look back on my life, I think people would remember me as that person that was always fun to hang out or talk with. I'm always joking around and I love to make people laugh because it puts a smile on their face. The legacy that I'd like to leave on this world is that I made my family and most importantly my parents proud of me. I would love to be known as the person that made everyone happy. I will use the best up of me and have no leftovers because I want to make a positive impact on this world.

Eric Richard

9/21/2016 07:48:00 am

It is always good to put a good mark on the people that you been with. A legacy is everything when it comes to what people remembered you as.

9/21/2016 08:24:06 am

A legacy is everything when it comes to family. Being remembered for making people laugh is a great road to go down, people need to remember that not everyone is rude

9/21/2016 05:22:40 am

Each day, my goal is to be as happy as I can be, to be adventurous and to always be open to new things; that's what I want to be remembered for. I would like for people to look back and remember that whenever they were with me it was always full of laughter and adventure. I hope that with my joy I'll be able to convey my excitement for life onto other people. In other words I just want my happiness to be contagious so that no matter where I'm at the people around me are also full of laughter.

9/21/2016 07:50:28 am

I think have a positive outlook on the world reflects you to others and what they see you as. so positive mind body and soul.

Jesse Meraz

9/21/2016 07:52:44 am

I also try to make others as happy as they can possibly be and for them to appreciate their moment in life.

Zach Condo

9/21/2016 06:51:08 am

When I'm gone I want people to remember me, not by just my height, but my the way I could make then laugh and cheer them up when they're sad. I hope to some day own my own welding or mechanic shop and I hope that I can be the best, but also one of the cheapest places around. abd when I'm gone I hope that my son will keep it goin And give it to his son and just keep it as a family business.

9/21/2016 07:51:52 am

I too would like to leave a legacy and for people to remember me by my generosity and not my materialistic accomplishments.

Justin Morrison

9/21/2016 08:20:12 am

You do make our class laugh, and I wish you the best of luck in your work profession! Hopefully your legacy lives on!!

Kaitlyn Huey

9/25/2016 05:11:28 pm

This is always a good thing ro want to be remembered for. Just being in someone's life can be all they need.

9/21/2016 07:45:23 am

my legacy will be something amazing. i kinda know what it's going to be but i just don't know how it's all going to work. To be honest the world may know or only a few. Know matter what the will change for the better.

9/21/2016 07:50:41 am

I believe my legacy will be all for the kids. My sole purpose on this Earth is to help the younger generation. I want to inspire younger people so that they may make a difference in the world. Whether it be to find a cure for cancer, finding a new mode of transportation, or becoming artists, I want my legacy to be that I inspired young kids to do extraordinary things in life.

9/21/2016 08:08:24 am

I hope to be remembered by the way I never gave up or quit. I want to be remembered as the guy who never looked down when things went bad, always had a positive attitude, a smile on his face, and looked for the light in pitch black room. I have not come to my full potential and I will never reach it because to me, someone who reaches the end has nothing to fight for, but I, will always have something to fight for.

9/21/2016 08:18:56 am

I definitely will, I always notice how you keep going and never quit. You always have a good attitude and persevere!!

9/21/2016 08:17:05 am

I feel like I had a connection with this exerpt because I want to be known for my kindness. Being an honest person is something that I really want to achieve in life. I enjoy doing things for other people, and it makes me feel like a better person.

Emily Baker

9/21/2016 09:37:14 am

Justin you are a really nice person and i feel like you are an honest person. I think it's nice that you enjoy doing things for other people and that it makes you feel better, i feel the same way.

9/21/2016 08:20:46 am

I want people to remember me by how kind, caring, and understanding I am. i will always strive to help people out and make them happy. Nobody deserves to feel anything other than happy and loved.

Dyamond Rhem' Brickhouse

9/21/2016 08:42:33 am

I want to leave this world knowing I made a difference in someone's life. I want to heal people from there pain wether it be me cutting someone open and removing what ever is causing there pain or wether it be me standing behind a counter handing out medcine that will help them fight off that pain. I believe I was put in this world for a reason with a specific mission that I'm supposed to accomplish before I leave this earth.

9/21/2016 08:38:57 pm

If you work hard to make that your legacy I'm sure you'll succeed.

J'Taija Hunter

9/21/2016 08:49:21 am

I want to be known for my kindness and how helpful i will be in the future with children. I want my legacy to be an inspiration for others to continue what I start. I think I will use up best of my ability and potential to do the best i can.

9/21/2016 09:35:16 am

i think it's great that you want to be an inspiration and let continue and grow.i am sure that you will do the best you can and that your legacy will continue.

9/22/2016 08:52:19 am

That's a very good thing to be remembered by. And you should always finish what you start.

9/21/2016 09:32:19 am

i want to be remembered as a person who never gave up even during the roughest times, and i also wanted be remembered for a person who tried to change the world and make it a better place. I want other people to carry these things on as well.

9/21/2016 08:37:58 pm

I want to be remembered as someone who never gave up on someone I care about. I want be remembered as someone who helped out any chance she got. I want to be remembered for being kind and supportive. That is what I want my legacy to be.

9/22/2016 08:51:06 am

When I leave I want everyone to remember me for all of the good things I did. I want people to know that I help wherever I could. Also that I gave what I had to do the right thing.

9/22/2016 10:20:04 am

My biggest goal is to wake up everyday and find happiness in all that I can. I hope to be a positive impact on those around me. I am so blessed and have no reason to be negative, even though it is tough on some days. I hope others can look back and remember me as someone who was always smiling and always causing others to smile too.

9/23/2016 10:08:31 am

I wanna be rembered for making a difference and making sure everyone fits in and as long as I can achieve that I should be remembered

9/25/2016 05:10:04 pm

That's all any of us can hope to be remembered for. Just to change one person's life would make theirs all the more worth it.

9/25/2016 05:08:56 pm

I want to be remembered for my writing. Ever since I was young I dreamt of writing stories for people to read. So that I could give them something to look at and loose themselves to. I want people to see my name on the cover of a book and smile as they recall every word that caught their attention or stole they're heart. If I could change just one person's life with my writing then I will be complete. I want to give people something to smile about. And years after I pass away I want someone to pick up my book and know that my writing helped then through some rough times. I want people to feel moved by what I write so that when they think of me they think of all the lives I touched and changed.

Journal 5.2: Lizard Legacy

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