| When you think of your ancestors, what are the | | | | you to learn the positive ways to succeed. |
| first things that come to mind? Your first | | | | Even though your ancestors from generations in |
| thoughts of your ancestors may be a country | | | | the past are not present in your life today, each |
| they immigrated from, a talent someone had | | | | of your successes validates them. Each of your |
| which your relatives continue to share stories | | | | ancestors whom you have never known played |
| about, or even a particular family trait such as the | | | | an important role in the person that you are |
| hair color which you inherited or a unique birth | | | | today. Everything from their unique personality |
| mark. While all of these are important, there is | | | | traits to their lifestyles has had an effect on you. |
| much more to your ancestors' legacy. | | | | You can be thankful for the person you are, |
| The most significant part of their legacy is the | | | | because you are the result of their contributions. |
| many contributions which they made for you and | | | | When you truly feel and display this attitude of |
| to you. Their hard work, their commitment to | | | | gratitude, you will be acknowledging all that your |
| their families, and the special accomplishments | | | | ancestors did for you. While you can be proud of |
| that they made, are all parts of the legacy which | | | | each of your accomplishments, you know that |
| they provided for you. Whatever they did in their | | | | you did not attain them all by yourself. The legacy |
| lives, and whatever role they played, was a | | | | of hard work, determination, and the drive to |
| contribution to you, to your life today, and to | | | | succeed was a daily part of your ancestors' lives. |
| your future. | | | | As it was passed down through the generations, |
| As your ancestors' legacy is passed down from | | | | it was also given to you. It has given you the |
| generation to generation, it is also time to | | | | strength and desire to reach for your highest |
| consider your own role. Whatever success you | | | | goals, and attain them by applying yourself |
| earn in your lifetime, it will have a much greater | | | | effectively and honestly in each situation you |
| effect than on you yourself. While your success is | | | | encounter. |
| a point of pride and enjoyment for yourself, it will | | | | You may not have known any of your ancestors |
| also be a spectacular example for the generations | | | | personally. You may only know of them from old |
| that follow you. Equally important, the success | | | | pictures, or tales told by the older people in your |
| you earn through your own hard work and | | | | family. The connection which you feel to them |
| determination is an excellent way to honor your | | | | may be very strong, or a little uncertain. |
| ancestors. | | | | Either way, when you think about the |
| Think of how much pride your parents feel when | | | | contributions which they have paved for you, |
| you do well. While each of your accomplishments | | | | helping them to live on through your successes is |
| brings nice benefits to you, it also gives them a | | | | an honor and a sense of pride which you will not |
| sense of pride. After all, they were the people | | | | want to miss. |
| who helped to shape your character, and helped | | | | |