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5 ways to leave a lasting legacy

It is customary for people to take inventory of their lives as they
grow older, wondering about their impact on the world and the
people closest to them. A legacy is often the story of one’s life and
the things he or she did through the years.
The good thing about a legacy is it is never too early to begin
planning. The following are some guidelines that can help people
establish lasting legacies.

• Keep track of your story. Grab a journal and start jotting
down events that occur in your life. Mention particular achieve-
ments or notable things that occur from day to day. Pepper these
accounts with stories of your family and childhood to start estab-
lishing an autobiography of sorts.

• Consider your daily actions. Even though people may
imagine it is the grand gestures that are remembered most, quite
often it’s the simplest acts that make the most impact. Think about
the way you treat others each and every day. Smile at people,
compliment others and offer positive advice when it is sought.

• Research investments that are profitable. If the goal
is to make money to leave for future generations, investigate your
options. These include assets that can retain their value. According
to NewRetirement.com and Stepping Stone Financial, Inc., vaca-
tion homes mean a lot to families and they also can be a source of future revenue should they be rented or sold. Speaking with a financial advisor also can be a sound
way to invest the right way to accumulate assets that can be passed down as a legacy.

• Name children or other relatives as beneficiaries on Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs). With Roth IRAs, distributions are tax-free as long
as the person who set up the IRA met the five-year holding period for contributions and conversions. Beneficiaries can have five years to take out money from the ac-
count; otherwise, they can convert the plan to an Inherited IRA, which stretches out distributions over their life expectancy, according to Investopedia, an online financial
resource.

• Write a legacy letter. A legacy letter is a way to speak directly to loved ones and say all those things that you had wished you told them earlier but maybe didn’t
find the words or perhaps never had the time, according to Forbes. The letter ensures others know just how much joy they brought to your life and the pride you had in
knowing them. Leaving a legacy is something people start to think about as they grow older, but it’s easy to start planning a legacy regardless of your age

The brain-boosting benefits of word games

er, Knotwords, a word game created by Zach Gage and the brain in a way that’s similar to how physical activity
Jack Schlesinger, is available on iOS, Android and Steam. trains the body.
The Morning Call sudoku. • Improve memory: According to WebMD, word
It’s a mix between a word scramble, crossword puzzle and
There are scores of other word games for people to
games may help seniors avoid memory loss and
try. In addition to their entertainment value, these games
possibly delay the onset of dementia. But seniors are
may provide some benefits that surprise even the most
not the only ones to benefit. Word games may improve
of all ages.
| devoted wordsmiths. short-term memory and the cognitive abilities of people
Word games continue to be popular pastimes and • Build your vocabulary: Word games enrich vocabu- • Boosts feel-good substances: When a person
2022, 5 June, Sunday become popular in recent years. Created by software • Improve focus: Nowadays people are pulled in many feel-good hormones and neurotransmitters. Healthline
lary and may introduce people to new words. They also
provide a great opportunity to engage in lighthearted
may help reinforce spelling skills.
is happy, the body releases endorphins, which are
competition among family and friends.
Wordle is perhaps the most popular word game to
indicates an “endorphin rush” often occurs after engag-
engineer and former Reddit employee Josh Wardle and
directions and are expected to multitask more than ever.
ing in a fun activity. Endorphins are released by the
hypothalamus and pituitary gland. Playing word games
Word games in large part require focusing exclusively on
launched in October 2021, Wordle was devised as a
way to pass the time during the pandemic lockdown.
boost self-esteem and reduce pain and discomfort.
Today it is played by millions of people and was even
purchased by The New York Times Company in 2022. the task at hand and employing strategy. may release endorphins, which can improve mood,
These are just a handful of the many positive ways word
• Stimulate the brain: Word games require critical think-
12 For those who are looking for something even new- ing skills that could stimulate the brain. Word games train games can affect the mind and body.