Time is ticking and with each passing second, we are getting closer to our last day. What will we leave behind when we go? What will be our legacy?
Legacy is defined as: Something transmitted by or received from an ancestor or predecessor or from the past.
This can mean cars, money and houses. More importantly, it can also mean how we are remembered and what contributions we made while we were alive. How did we and the life we lived, touch others? What will people say of us after we’re gone?
He had a high profile job. She had a beautiful home. He left me a fortune.
All of those are great, but the house will eventually decay and the money will soon be spent. Then what will be left? Nothing. Shouldn’t we then, want to leave a lasting legacy? One of morals, values and ethics?
He taught me to be kind to others. She taught me to love unconditionally. He taught me not to be prejudice or cruel to those who are different than me. She taught me to give to those in need and to show compassion to those who are hurting. He taught me to be honest, loyal, true to others and to myself.
Unlike money and houses, those are valuable lessons which can be passed down from generation to generation. They will not decay, nor will they become depleted. What we do now should be making a positive impact on future generations.
It is obvious as we look around us, that much of society has forgotten the most basic human values. However, it doesn’t have to remain that way. Each person who is breathing has the ability to change the world.
Of course we can’t change everyone simultaneously, but we can impact one person, or two, or three. Then they can impact one, two, or three. It’s a domino effect, one in which can be passed along right now, and well after we’re gone.
Whether we like to admit it or not, none of us are getting younger. We’re all creeping a little closer to the end, and none of us know when our end will be.
Knowing this, we should be mindful now of what we’re contributing to the those around us. Does our life set a good example for those who are watching us? How are we, and the life we’re living touching others?
What kind of legacy are you leaving your family, your friends, the world?
Me - Who am I? 
Wow. Really really brilliant post here, very thought-provoking indeed! 😀 I…I…my legacy. I want it to be a…a somewhat safe(?) simple one, but thorns make me human, and it brings intricacy. I’m not perfect, far from it, oh yes. But I want to work hard to leave something interesting. Unconventional, even
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Thank you. A safe simple one is okay as long as it’s a good one, right? None of us are perfect, that’s for sure. But, we can certainly endeavor to do our part for those around us. We all mess up, but when they look back at the overall picture, hopefully it will be a beautiful and well put together one. To leave something unconventional…care to expand on that?
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🙂
Sure. I’m a very….I would describe myself as “something else.” My perspective on things varies greatly, and the way I piece things together (I’ve been told) is kind of weird too. I don’t know. I just don’t take to the conventional – I like randomness, though it’s odd because I strive for structure but hey, why hold onto the edges, going round in one near circle when I can skate crazy around the rink? 🙂
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I like your analogy there. You’re right, why hold onto the edges when you experience so much more in the center of the rink? Randomness is good. It keeps people on their toes and it keeps you entertained. 🙂
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Many don’t stop to consider the consequences of their actions. To some material things are all important. But you are right. Some things we leave behind are far more valuable. Far more useful and far more important!
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No they don’t. They think about the here and now, without considering the repercussions of their actions. Material things are nice, but we can’t take them with us and they will eventually spoil for those we leave them too. Sometimes it takes years and circumstances to discover what is most important.
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I guess it can take a significant event to realise what is worthy of priority.
Although they do say the best things in life are free 😉
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That is true, and I believe you are right. I agree with ‘they.’ The best things are free!
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I often think about this and wonder what my legacy to my children will be. I hope that they will be able to say that I taught them to show compassion for all things.
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That’s a wonderful legacy to want to leave. Just reading that you feel that way, is proof that you’re already teaching them.
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This post reminds me of the song ‘Fading away like the stars of the morning…, only remembered by what we have done’
None of us will live forever, it’s our deeds and legacies that will speak for us when we are gone, not just the material things that are left.
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Good lyrics and very fitting. Exactly. Our deeds are what will last after we’re gone. Those are what will impact others who come behind us.
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I love this post. What a beautiful idea to look at life and people in that way 🙂 those are the real things that count
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Yes, I agree. Material things are great for a moment, but the most important things in life are what are shown through our actions, through how we touch those around us, and for the differences we make.
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So true
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I hope I’ve already achieved my legacy and that from this moment on, I will continue to build upon it, making it better each day.
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I firmly believe that you’ve achieved a great legacy, and to continue to build upon it will only make it that much better.
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Your posts are so moving sometimes and just leave me pondering for days. I don’t usually even know what to comment on your posts, but just know THEY RESONATE. Perhaps you’re leaving a legacy of ponderous posts to those of us here in WP world! 🙂
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Just knowing that you’re reading and gaining something from them mean a lot to me. Thank you. I never really thought about that. I think we’re all leaving a legacy here with our words. That opens up a whole new door to our legacy, doesn’t it? What kind of legacy will we leave to the world wide wide of readers?
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I find myself, more and more, concerned and inspired by the idea that others are watching me. And may learn, not from what I say, but what I do. Well said MeWhoAmI.
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It does make a person consider their actions a lot more closely when we realize that people are watching us. And there is always someone watching, whether we see them or not. Thank you. I kind of borrowed your ‘time is ticking’ line. 🙂
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🙂 Glad we connect with our words! 🙂
Sigh, there IS always someone watching. ISn’t there? 😉
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Well said! Some very deep thoughts… I hope my kids will one day say that I taught them to stop and listen and look around. Look up, look at the stars and appreciate what is around us and who we are. I try to teach them this one little thing.
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That is a wonderful legacy to want to leave your kids. Those lessons sure don’t sound like little things to me. Those are ones that they can keep with them and share with their own children. Thank you so much for your comment!
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You are very welcome. Your post truly inspired me. It is so important to leave something behind that does not disappear…
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I love this post. Lasting legacies are those that transcend material goods. Moral legacies influence people from within.
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Thank you. You are right. Influencing people from within has a much greater impact than material things ever could. An impact that can live on.
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Such a great post! I’ve been thinking about legacy for some time now – and I’ve consciously chosen a path to examine my life with the intent to continuously improve, to learn from mistakes and to make positive contributions in whatever ways I can. Your post sums it up brilliantly!
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That is great to hear! We can always improve and make lasting contributions. Thank you so much for commenting.
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Very thought provoking post. It reminded me of this quote.
Not, How Did He Die, But How Did He Live – Author Unknown
Not how did he die, but how did he live?
Not what did he gain, but what did he give?
These are the units to measure the worth
of a man as a man, regardless of birth.
Not, what was his church, nor what was his creed?
But had he befriended those really in need?
Was he ever ready, with word of good cheer,
to bring back a smile, to banish a tear?
Not what did the sketch in the newspaper say,
but how many were sorry when he passed away
Interestingly, the other day I posted a photo of my grandmother on my FB timeline. She left us several years ago. The memories and stories that this photo evoked were just wonderful. That is the kind of legacy I would like to leave my family.
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That sums up what our legacy should be perfectly! Thank you so much for sharing that. I imagine how comforting and joyous it must have been to read the comments from those who saw her photo. Her memory and legacy lives on. That’s a true legacy.
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