Exercising/Utilizing Your Full Potential: What Does It Really Mean To Leave A Legacy?

Last week was a very rough week, we lost an extremely talented artist “Prince” whom contributed so much creatively to the music industry and touched so many lives. It seems as if we are loosing a lot of “The Greats” lately. During the loss we think about and celebrate them and their contribution and then we continue on with our lives, missing them and often recalling a story when that certain song or movie comes on that we love so much.

After great conversation with some powerful and dynamic women this past weekend, I learned that Prince not only has a vault of music, but he scheduled that every year until infinity an album will be released. This made me think about a few things. Prince was a man who had many talents, he played I believe 27 instruments superbly and he changed the music industry. From what I know of him he exercised his full potential and he has left a legacy that undeniably will continue to touch not only my generation but many more to come.

I often think about if I’m utilizing my full potential. Meaning everything God has instilled in me, am I exercising it to the fullest?  All of my gifts and talents that God has called me to do, am I sitting on it and burying my talents or am I sowing them so they can grow and make a difference in the world. What will be my legacy, who life will I touch?

This weekend was such a great weekend, because the same message continued to appear.Legacy…Legacy…Legacy. I had an opportunity to go to an event that was honoring Mc Lyte, in a video they played on her life and her foundation, the word legacy came up. In the interview MC Lyte stated that she always wanted to leave a legacy, music was only one part of what she did, however her foundation “Hip Hop Sisters” and Scholarship Foundation not only touched people, but it provides them with the opportunity to find and follow their passion so that they can leave their own legacy.

So when I think about if I’m utilizing/exercising my full potential I know that there are things I haven’t touched that God has instilled in me and want me to do. When I think about my legacy it looks like this. My acting is only one part of my many talents and gifts. With acting I hope to share with the world that they can dream and be whomever they choose to be, I can evoke emotion from people based on the characters I play. My film company “Your Path Productions” is purposed to produce projects where we see people finding the right path for their life. My motivational speaking is designed to help encourage and inspire people. I want to challenge them to utilize their fullest potential. My scholarship foundation will be designed for students who major or minor in theater preferably at a HBCU. I pray all this continues even after I leave this earth. I want to make a difference. I understand that my life isn’t for me but someone else to learn from.  Overall I want to be the best sister, cousin, aunt, friend, future wife and mother I can possibly be.. As you think about what your want to do with your life.

I challenge you to ask your self if you are utilizing your full potential, exercising the gifts and talents God has placed in you? What legacy do you want to leave behind?

Matthew 25:14-30

For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.