It is a well known fact that we can’t live forever, but there is something that does. Our legacies outlive us. So in this journey called life we must all work towards carving our own “was here’’ inscription on the wall of time by the legacy we leave. Like the graduating students in the illustration I gave in part one of this post. The moment we carve our legacies those that will come after us will know that we were once here. Legacy is eternal. It outlasts life itself. The legacy we leave behind can live for centuries long after we are gone to the great beyond. It is futuristic in nature. We can rightly say that the legacy we leave lives after us. Legacy speaks volume. It has a voice. It tells people about us. What we have achieved in any given field.
Leaving a legacy is akin to stamping your footprints in the sand of time. However, for us to stamp our footprints in the sand of time for others to follow there are few factors that we must consider.
Think about the future
All good men and women must take responsibility to create legacies that will take the next generation to a level we could only imagine. – Jim Rohn
I want to believe that so far you are beginning to brainstorm on what legacy you will leave behind. Are you planning to leave a legacy? If the answer is yes, then you must think about the future. You must be futuristic in your approach to life. Your goals must also be futuristic. Set long term goals with the future in view and plan on how to achieve them. Considering the next generation, even those yet unborn is an option you must choose. Think about how your legacy will affect them.
For a legacy to be better appreciated it must be directed towards the good of the people. And for you to do this you must be ready to conquer greed, avarice, and every inordinate ambition for self gratification and personal aggrandizement. You must be altruistic in your approach to life. Ask yourself this simple question, “What do I have to offer to humanity?” This must be borne out of pure and unfeigned love for humanity. Your legacy must bring comfort, satisfaction, and fulfillment to many. And it must also meet the needs and aspirations of others.
Do something today.
For posterity to remember you, you must do something today. The legacy you will leave behind is based on your today’s work. What people will remember about you is what you have done with your life. And what is worth remembering is worth doing well. People will remember you because of what you do today.
If you would not be forgotten as soon as you are dead, either write something worth reading or do something worth writing.” – Benjamin Franklin
What are you doing with your life in service to humanity? Your legacy is wrapped up in the actions and responsibilities you take. Even the decisions you make all point toward the legacy you will leave behind. So you must work hard to leave a good legacy in your pursuit in life. And to do that you must do something worthwhile with your life. In fact you must impact the lives of people around you with your talents. Find your aim in life today while you still have the wherewithal to do so.
The future holds a lot for mankind – either good or bad. It is bloated with some elements of mixed fortune. In fact, we are all living in view of the future. All our efforts and activities today must point towards a better and fulfilling future. There is an inextricable relationship between the legacies we will leave behind and our activities today. What you do today determines the kind of legacy you will leave in the future. In fact it is the connecting bridge between your success and the legacy you will live behind. So do everything to succeed today if you want to leave a good legacy.
In addition, a moment of truth will come when we shall take cognizance of all the decisions we make today, and the daring risks and, or responsibilities we took, to ascertain their effectiveness. Such a time to some, will be a time to celebrate their achievements and legacies and to others it will be a time to lament and regret their inability to do something reasonable with their lives. You must always do the needful to meet the needs and demands of the present, because your future fulfillment lies in what you do with your life today. You must never defer responsibilities. Learn to take prompt actions as the need arises. Prompt and immediate execution of tasks will help you leave a good legacy and guarantee your fulfillment in life
Doing something reasonable with your life is a bold step to a good legacy and a life of fulfillment. Fulfillment comes when you know that people are benefiting from your legacy. In other words you will derive happiness and satisfaction when your work or what you have done is helping others to find fulfillment in life. Indeed for your works to become a legacy it must in a way or the other improve a lot of lives.
However, you must possess an element of hope in your heart. You must have the mindset that the happiness of others lies in what you are doing today and therefore it must be successful. The burning question now is what are you doing with your life today? If you are doing nothing, start something today. Think of a project, business, scientific discovery, invention, creative insight or whatever will uplift and add value to lives.
Remember, it is by doing something not by inaction that legacies are born. And to leave a legacy you must do something extremely well while you are still living. Hence, to ascertain whether you are heading to the right direction regarding legacy you must critically evaluate or assess yourself. Ask yourself some fundamental questions like;
i.) What exploit have I done now that I am alive?
ii.) In my sphere of influence what value have I created with my exploits?
iii.) Do I touch or impact people’s lives by what I do?
iv.) Will what I do be enough to create and leave a legacy for others?
The world will be a better place if we will all do everything within our capacity to leave a good legacy.