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 Q & A with Gloria 

 What inspired you to write Legacy Living?

Each of us leaves a legacy, whether we are conscious of it or not. My book Legacy Living shows the reader how to be conscious of the legacy they leave.

I wrote this book for two primary reasons: first of all, to inspire others to use their gifts and talents with intention, not merely for themselves but to be of service to others.

Secondly, I wrote the book to honor the legacy my parents passed on to me, which is to inspire others to recognize that we are indeed sisters and brothers. In today’s global village, this is not a luxury; it is a social and moral imperative. I am blessed that my mother and father instilled in me a strong sense of kinship with and responsibility for others. In my family, this way of being was a “given,” passed down from generation to generation. It was the very air I breathed. I want to empower others to do the same.

How does Legacy Living relate to your earlier books – both your poetry and non-fiction books?

The themes in all my books are related; they all focus on the essential human values of relationship, caring, belonging, gratitude, love, and legacy. In my poetry and non-fiction work, I explore what I refer to as sacred promises, which relate directly to the specifics of how one lives a legacy.

In the book, you talk about William Faulkner’s role in your father’s life, how did that affect your career and life path?

Faulkner and my father taught me to respect our common humanity, regardless of race, culture, gender, or age.

William Faulkner became my father’s benefactor and friend, paying for my father to attend college and arranging for his other expenses to be paid with no strings attached. As my father's benefactor, Faulkner simply asked my father to “pass it on.” To say that Faulkner’s role in my father’s life was life-changing is an understatement. By touching my father’s life, both Faulkner and my father left legacies that have since touched thousands of others—through the reach of my father, my mother, my four sisters, and me.

In accepting Faulkner’s kindness, my father taught me humility and an uncommon kind of courage, lessons that I have since come to deeply appreciate and integrate into my own life. My father also passed on the importance of a college education. For my sisters and me it was not a matter of if we would attend college, but which one. As a result, I am a passionate, life-long learner. Whenever I have an opportunity, I encourage others to become avid learners, so they can become all that God intends for them to be.

Though Faulkner’s role was significant, even more significant was my parent’s role in my life. My father and mother taught me to dream not only for myself but to look beyond the obvious and to dream on behalf of others, particularly others who might be less fortunate.

What does legacy mean, and how can legacy living be a benefit for me?

Most of us think about legacy as something that we leave behind or the story that others remember about us after we die.

Legacy means to leave an inheritance. Each of us leaves an inheritance through our words and actions each and every day of our lives. Whether you intend to or not, whether you are conscious of it or not, you impact others by your presence, by what you say, by what you do or fail to do. You leave a trace of yourself, a footprint however small or large, of your life here on earth. Every choice you make will contribute to the footprint you leave behind.

Legacy living is all about being intentional in how you interact with others, in your relationships, in what matters to you.

Legacy living is about being the author of your own story, being the person in charge of your life here and now so that you build a worthy bridge to the future. The benefit of legacy living is that you can live with purpose and intention, choosing the imprint you make on others. By choosing legacy living as a lifestyle, you can influence the future in a positive way.

What are the sacred promises and why are they important?

The sacred promises I explore in my book are legacy, gratitude, faith, vision, love, integrity, and creative expression. The sacred promises are spiritual commitments that guide you and keep you on track in your daily life. Ultimately, the sacred promises define who you are and whose you are. The sacred promises are important because they define the quality of your choices in relationships, in your work, and in every other aspect of your life. Most importantly, the sacred promises provide the necessary bridge that irrevocably connects you to the future. Each promise is essential for legacy living. Collectively, they keep you conscious and intentional with your life.

For those who do not have children, how do they create a “shining legacy for our children and our children’s children?”

Wherever your passion is, there you will also find your legacy.

I encounter many people who do not have children, yet they want to make a difference in their small corner of the world and want their lives count for something. These individuals create a legacy for others in the same way that everyone else does. They simply focus on what they care about. Because we all have unique gifts, talents, and skills, our options are virtually limitless. Some of us are excellent at encouraging others, so that is how we leave our footprint--that is how we make a difference. Some of us have a passion for gardening, so we create places of beauty for ourselves, and others. Some of us focus on the environment, health care, social justice, or helping others in need.

Are there any particular groups for whom the book is targeted?

Legacy Living is a resource for people who are committed to making a positive difference in the lives of others and who are interested in starting with their own personal transformation.

It is a book for people of all ages, all walks of life, and all cultures. The book reaches women and men, youth and elders, those who work in diverse settings, including health care, education, business, law, technology, government. I have been blessed to work with people all over the world. The common element I find in everyone I work with is our humanity and our desire to make the world a little bit better off than we found it.

What does spirituality have to do with legacy living?

Spirituality and legacy living are both about reverence, devotion to a divine force outside of ourselves, devotion to our own growth and development, and devotion to others whom we may never meet or come to know, but who depend on us to make positive, life-affirming choices.

My parents were both from families that were “dirt poor.” Even so, my parents measured wealth not by how much money they had in the bank, but by the depth, breadth, and reach of your spirit. Looking out for, caring for, nurturing, and assisting family, neighbors, and even complete strangers was part of the deal. I was taught that I was a member of a collective, a village where kinship and caring for others was the heart of community. We are all connected to one another.

What is the connection between creativity and spirituality?

Both creativity and spirituality express your intimate relationship with God. As human beings, you honor God by expressing your creativity, the outward expression, or manifestation, of your innermost spirit.

I heard Archbishop Desmond Tutu speak recently. He encouraged us to remember that “God is waiting on us; He needs our help.” I took that to mean that in my daily life, what I do, what I say, how I think, and how I relate to others matters. As a spiritual commitment, legacy living requires that I choose gratitude, faith, love, and each of the other sacred promises as a lifestyle, that I incorporate them into my way of thinking and behaving every moment of my life.

How do you respond to people who think they are not creative?

I gently remind people that each one of us is creative. This is not a choice; this is a given. The choice is simply to decide what you will do with your abundant creativity. I encourage people to think about creativity in a way that is meaningful to them.

In our culture, we have segregated creativity, connecting it most often to the arts. The arts are one essential realm of creativity, but it is certainly not the only one. You can be creative in any sphere of your life—gardening, cooking, running, friendship, problem-solving, parenting, counseling, praying, dancing, sewing, administration, journaling, meditating, walking. With every breath you take, you are engaged in a deeply creative act--you are recreating the cells in your body.

What do you mean when you say Dare to Wear Your Soul on the Outside?

Wearing your soul on the outside means being all that God created you to be; it means not hiding out or pretending to be less than who you are. It means claiming authority over your own life, claiming your beauty, magnificence, and power.

Wearing your soul on the outside also means honoring your God-given gifts and talents by being congruent in what you think, feel, and do. It means daring to let your light and brilliance shine through. It means living your life as if someone’s life depended on you, because it does. Life is short. When you let your brilliance shine through, others can catch a glimmer of their brilliance.

What kind of follow-ups might be in the works for this book?

I plan to expand into other products that support this book--products that include an “I Dare You” workbook or journal, card deck, calendar, and other inspirational resources and reminders to support you in your journey of wearing your soul on the outside. I plan to create a series of books that delve more deeply into the sacred promises, including a book on relationships, family, work, and so on. I also plan to create a weekly or monthly column, focused on the sacred promises.

Where can I find more information about your book and workshop schedules?

You can find additional information about my book Legacy Living on my website: www.legacy-living.com.

If you have further questions or would like more information on Jazz, Inc., Gloria’s books, or scheduling a keynote or workshop with Gloria Burgess, please call 206.954.0732.