Ben Greenfield argues families should build legacy through explicit artifacts like mission statements and constitutions, teaching values through rituals and tribal structures so children internalize honorable behavior. He emphasizes legacy as character and honor, not wealth, with concrete examples like refusing drugs and treating women respectfully.
Lets talk today about legacy and pride. So whether you have children or you plan on eventually having children, I'll wager that you would like those children to have some sense of legacy, an association of healthy pride in their family name and a deep sense of belonging within the family. For example, I want both my sons to know what it means to be a Greenfield, to know what a Greenfield man or woman stands for and holds dear to, to know the Greenfield family values, to understand the Greenfield family mission statement, to be intimately familiar with our Greenfield family constitution, and to be a valued and important part of the entire Greenfield legacy, which we've developed over the years in a handbook, in a playbook, in a written form of documents for the family. Now, why is this so important? Why do I place so much value on this? Well, look at it this way, as every close knit tribe has a set of rules and laws, a common language, valued traditions, a story, a hierarchy, traditions, common friends and even common enemies. And the classic and all too common rags to riches to rags scenario that plagues the modern family is often due to an absence of these type of tribal concepts woven into the family. And therefore a child grows up somewhat alienated or unfamiliar with what it means to possess their last name and what is expected of them because they have that last name as a part of their family. Now, in contrast, a young man or woman who can recite their family mission statement, explain the family crest, if one exists, memorize the family values and know the family traditions and and rituals and routines, is far more likely to carry those valuable tribal elements forward into the next generation and likely build upon those elements to create even greater proactive, personal, financial and impactful success for subsequent generations. They'll also be far less likely to succumb to temptations. So I envision a future in which my children, for example, if they're offered drugs at a party, can confidently say, I'm a Greenfield, I hold my body sacred as a temple of God. If they're tempted by porn or promiscuous sex or adultery, say I'm a Greenfield. We care for women and hold them dear as fellow human beings created in the image of God, treating those women as queens and princesses, right? Or if my sons are given an opportunity to take a cheat or a shortcut in a competition or a race or some other type of sporting event, they can think, I'm a Greenfield and I do what is right no matter what and no matter how painful it is, because I'm radically honest and transparent, because that's one of our Greenfield family values that we hold dear. It's written right on our wall now. See what I mean? Legacy goes far beyond just building something like generational wealth. It means building nobility and honor and pride in your children so they can grow up to be dependable human beings who. Who will make this world a better place. So if you aren't already doing it, plan somehow on how you're going to weave values and traditions into your own family. Make your children proud of having their last name and intimately familiar with what it truly means to have that name. I have a podcast with a guy named Rich Christensen that you should go listen to where we talk a lot more about legacy. I'll link to that along with this video. But start thinking about what it means to be you, what it means to be your family, what it means to have your last name, and what you're going to stand for as a family, because that's important, and the world needs more of that.
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