Grand Plans: May 8, 2025
A semi-monthly newsletter from Grand Plans designed to normalize and celebrate our glorious geri-destiny through information, stories, real talk conversation, smart planning and shared experience.
Things I’m prattling on about today
I talk a lot about living with a “legacy mindset” in this space, and I was recently reminded how important it is and why we should consider it as we age.
Living with a legacy mindset challenges us to consider our personal mission statement and dedicate our lives to it — not just because it keeps us grounded and humble while we’re moving through our second half, but because it will immortalize our best qualities, advance them and provide future loved ones valuable takeaways that will enhance their own experience. Living with a legacy mindset is the opportunity to cast our God-given strengths back out into the universe for humanity to enjoy forevermore!
So, this begets the question: what is your personal mission statement? What is the very best for which you will be eternally remembered?
I’m still working on my mission statement. I know it includes a goal of unconditional loving, being others-focused and being as real and real funny and really connectable as possible. But that’s all hard to do when people bug me and there are murder shows to watch, so there’s still caution tape around my mission statement design.
I think the goal is to wonder, “what will people say about me when I’m gone? For what will I be remembered? How will my obituary describe the way I lived my life?” And once you have a sense of the vision, start manifesting it! If you’re an a-hole and can’t get over yourself, stop being so ugly and start with small acts of kindness. If not, chances are your obituary will include only dates, awards and club memberships. If it were only that simple, though. And we all have a different version of what is good, bad and ugly.
I have no answers on the hows, but I do know the whys: being loved is the best, facts.
I was reminded of this recently when my brother shared an email he received from some old friends of our deceased parents. Their reflections on Bobbie Ann and David Person were the same as literally every person who knew them. No exaggerating — everyone! It affirms to me the notion our parents lived with a legacy mindset:
“I came across these great photos of your parents, taken when my husband and I visited them in San Diego when Dave was in language school in Monterey. We took an earlier road trip to Monterrey, Mexico with them and visited them in San Antonio several times and also at their country cottage. . We had hoped to visit them in Scotland but weren't able to make that happen. I don't think I have ever met anyone more unassuming, genuine, kind, and life-loving than your parents. My husband and I truly treasured their friendship.”
How can I ensure someone describes me as unassuming, genuine, kind and life-loving? How can my friendship be truly treasured by the people I love? By adding these qualities to my personal mission statement, practicing their example and designing a legacy that endures generation to generation. I’m going to try, at least! My birthday, today, is as good a day as any to will it into existence.
News you can use
This blog post is pretty helpful, it includes the seven behaviors you can change now to be more fondly remembered later. “Are you aware that certain behaviors might be preventing you from being remembered in a favorable light? Indeed, there could be things you’re doing unknowingly that are leaving less than stellar impressions…Remember, leaving favorable impressions isn’t as challenging as it seems; it’s all about recognizing and changing certain patterns of behavior.”
One way to maintain control over your legacy narrative is to write it all down. Then folks don’t have remember or question it, they can just read about it lol. For some people, this may be a wonderful and loving way to do it.
As we look to design our personal mission statements, in no way shape or form must we let our pasts or mistakes define us. Here are some negative thoughts and behaviors we can let go of as we manifest legacies that are memorable and loving.
Here are the dates and class topics for Mindful Aging Strategies: Grand Planning for Second-Half Thriving. You can sign up via the QR code, or visit the Center for Wellbeing website and scroll down to the event section.
Grand Plans 2.0 was on an Atlanta-based financial podcast, check it out!…
And giddy-up…Grand Plans 2.0 is headed to Dallas next month to be on the Dallas-based Manchester Living Podcast. Stay tuned!
Shelf life
Grand Plans 2.0: How to Mitigate Geri-Drama in 20 Easy Steps and its accompanying workbook, the Grand Planner 2.0, are both published and out on the interwebs for you to order and enjoy! Click links to purchase on Amazon and look for copies in your local bookstores.
Some golden gedunk and goods
Get yourself another few copies of Grand Plans: How to Mitigate Geri-Drama in 20 Easy Steps and the Grand Planner for all the people who like getting gifts in your life! Visit www.mygrandplans.com for links to purchase on Amazon.
And… Check out our Grand Plans merch in our Etsy storefront.
