A Generational Legacy - with Linda J. Hansen [Ep.92]

Linda: Thank you for tuning in today. If you are a regular listener, you may have noticed a little disruption in my regular release schedule.  There’s a reason for that.  Some of you may know that I have been overseeing care for my elderly mother for many years.  This has been an honor, privilege, and blessing. I am sad to say my mother recently passed away. Caring for her, holding her hand as she took her last breath, and reflecting on her life (as well as my father’s life) has, of course, brought many reflective and emotional moments, but also moments of insight as I thought about what really matters in life. If you are wondering how all this applies in a business and policy related podcast, please keep listening.  

Whether you are an employer, employee, a self-employed individual, or a student, you have decisions to make regarding how you will live your life, conduct business, and care for your family. We can talk about how to build a business, how to impact policy, how to protect freedom and prosperity, but we all have a limited number of days. Eventually, we will die.  We have no control over when our last breath will occur, but we do have control over the choices we make and the legacy we hope to leave.  

My mom and dad were raised during the Great Depression.  They were part of what is referred to as the Greatest Generation. They talked of the war years, the economic hardships, the rationing, the patriotism, the faith and unity of a nation that held together in challenging times.  

My mom vividly recalled how, as a young girl, she helped to roll bandages to send overseas, and how it seemed everyone in town came out to joyfully march in the streets when victory was declared, and World War II ended. Dad could not serve in the military due to a health condition, but he patriotically and proudly did all he could to help the war effort, whether through gathering rubber, fixing machinery and vehicles, or simply helping to keep food on the table at home as his two brothers served, and were later killed in the war.  

The Greatest Generation is dwindling.  They were a hardy lot; unafraid of hard work and committed to God, family, and country.  They helped to build this nation into the thriving beacon of freedom that beckoned the world to join us in this great experiment – a government of the people, by the people, and for the people.   

My father’s 93rd birthday would have been this week, and my mother died two months shy of her 93rd birthday.  While I dedicate this episode to them, I also want to honor all those who have gone before us, to those who started businesses, built families and communities, and served and shared with others, whether at home, in business, politics, the military, or in other walks of life. We can learn so much from them. 

As I think on my mother’s life, I marvel at her resilience, tenacity, wisdom, faith, generosity, and sense of humor.  She was a mix between Lucille Ball, Bette White, and George Burns.  (If you are too young to know of those people, be sure to watch some of their videos. You’ll be glad you did!) Her faith and love for God never wavered, and her love for her family and her country remained strong to her dying day.   

My dad was a rock.  He loved God, his family, and his country – and he lived his life in such a way that I never doubted that love.  He worked hard, played hard, and taught me so much about leadership and business.  Not only that, he and my mom fell in love when they were twelve years old…yes, when they were twelve!  They had the sweetest love story, and as my dad was at the end of his life, I am convinced he waited to take his last breath until I assured him that I would be taking care of my mom.  It was a powerful moment.  

My dad’s business career spanned decades.  He was a great and sought-after salesman, and he was an entrepreneur who always had a new business idea up his sleeve. I learned so much from him! I have often shared some of the lessons I learned while my family owned a small chain of restaurants when I was young.  I was managing restaurants before I graduated from high school, and to say that was a great preparation for life is an understatement! I learned how to interact with business partners, how to treat employees and customers, how to stay focused and afloat during lean years, and how to lead with humility and respect for all.  

We owned the restaurants over 40 years ago.  My dad passed away over twenty years ago, and my mom passed away just two weeks ago.  I recently heard from several people who were either employed by or were regular customers of our restaurants, and they all spoke of the love and respect they had for my parents.  They talked of things they had learned from my dad, which helped them in their careers over decades. Whether they were a young teenager or an adult, they knew my parents cared about them as individuals, so the lessons they taught were impactful. 

This brings me back to you – the listener. How does all this apply to you? We are all in positions of leadership, regardless of our employment status.  How will you use that opportunity? What kind of leader do you hope to be?  

As I have mentioned often on this podcast, our country is in turmoil.  The time-tested Constitutional values upon which our nation was founded are being challenged and our liberties are diminishing day by day.  The values of the Greatest Generation, the values my parents held, the priorities of God, family, and country are the values that have held this nation together since its founding.  The freedom of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness – guaranteed under the Constitution – are not just for those in “woke” corporations or educational institutions, they are for all citizens of this great nation.  We must not let anyone silence us – in our families, our schools, or our workplaces.Do not be afraid to share your values with your employees.  Courage is contagious, and once they understand you speak out of a desire to help them and to protect their freedoms now and for the future, their respect for you will grow.  Who knows?  You may also be inspiring others to lead courageously and with a servant’s heart.  

I shared the story of my parents to honor them, but also to inspire us all to lead with integrity, humility, and respect for others – whether they are a child, a teenager in their first job, a seasoned executive or political leader, or an elderly person who needs a little extra reassurance and support.  

You may think the small things you do for your employees or others may not make a difference, but I can guarantee you that you will have a lasting impact on those who know you truly care.  The examples you set as a parent, an employer, or simply as a citizen speak volumes to others.  

If you are a business leader, will those you lead be calling your family forty years from now to express their love and respect?  Will the actions you take today help to preserve freedom for the next generation? Business and public policy issues are important, but as mentioned, we all will take our last breath one day.  Will we use our time to grow in our relationship to God, to serve others and make a positive difference in their lives, to boldly stand up for the principles of truth, justice and liberty – or will we use our time to serve temporal gods of money, pleasure, or convenience?  

You may have heard the saying, “Only one life, soon to pass, only what’s done for Christ will last.” I encourage you to live boldly and with eternity in mind.  Be unafraid to speak for truth. Don’t let cancel culture or naysayers intimidate you into silence.  Speak up for the values that have made this nation great and for the policies that have provided freedom for millions of people to flourish.   

True prosperity does not come from monetary gain. The true path to prosperity begins in your heart. Love God, love others, and stand up for truth, freedom, and justice.  

If we all commit to seeking true prosperity, the kind that starts within, then our generation can also be a great generation, one that leaves a lasting legacy and a positive impact for the future. Thank you again for listening to the Prosperity 101 Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, share, and leave a great review.

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If we all commit to seeking true prosperity, the kind that starts within, then our generation can also be a great generation, one that leaves a lasting legacy and positive impact for the future.