Leaving a legacy is something most of us don’t consciously think about, or don’t consider it to be something that applies to us. We think of it as something achieved by larger-than-life historical figures, such as Albert Einstein, Abraham Lincoln, or Mother Theresa.
Everyone Leaves a Legacy
What we need to understand, is that almost everyone leaves a legacy. Some legacies may be no more that a fleeting memory. But some are long lasting, to be remembered and to be passed on by those we left behind. Some memories you leave behind may be negative, but some may be positive and empowering to people.
Think of the people you’ve met or have known during your life. It may be someone still around you – a friend, or relative, or colleague. It may even be someone you have not met, someone you’ve seen online or on television. Ask yourself what you remember about them. Have they done something for the benefit of others? Have they fought some injustice? Or have they done something to make the world a better place of others?
It could be an empathetic manager loved and respected by all. Or a tireless campaigner for a good case. A mother’s or grandmother’s cooking. A parent’s sage advice. When individuals imprint their words and deeds on our hearts and minds, they leave behind a legacy. Even the humblest person can leave a legacy.
So what would people recall about you? Would it be positive or negative? What would you like it to be? How would you like people to remember you? You do not need to do something that has a global impact. It is through those simple, but amazing, deeds that you will leave behind your legacy. What matters are not necessarily your achievements, but your goals and ideals, and how you lead your life.
Taking Charge of Time
‘The legacy we leave is not just in our possessions, but in the quality of our lives. ...The greatest waste in all of our earth, which cannot be recycled or reclaimed, is our waste of the time that God has given us each day.” – Rev Billy Graham
While most of us are concerned about getting the most value for your money when we go shopping, how many of us look to get most out of the time in our lives? We spend hours whiling away in front of the television, or watch days pass away pointlessly. We are wasting the most precious resource we have to build a legacy.
Even the well-off may be guilty of spending all their time working, rather using their time optimally. We allow time to run out on us. If we wish to build a legacy, we need to realize that we cannot borrow time. The moment to start working on your legacy is now.
So, if you want to build a legacy, start do something now that will endure for you. Create an inspiring social media page, or even a blog. Volunteer for charity work, or help someone in need that you know. Join a campaign for a cause you believe in. Post a video online to teach someone a skill you may possess. Or do something for your local community.
You are in charge of your life and what you spend your time on. And if you feel you don’t, you need to demand your fair share of life, and take charge of your time.
A Sense of Meaning and Purpose
“There are certain things that are fundamental to human fulfillment. The essence of these needs is captured in the phrase ‘to live, to love, to learn, to leave a legacy’. The need to live is our physical need for such things as food, clothing, shelter, economical-well being, and health. The need to love is our social need to relate to other people, to belong, to love and to be loved. The need to learn is our mental need to develop and to grow. And the need to leave a legacy is our spiritual need to have a sense of meaning, purpose, personal congruence and contribution in our life.” – Stephen R. Covey
You could have everything you need – a luxurious home, the healthiest food, a loving family, a well-paying job, and a host of friends. But yet feel haunted by the emptiness and purposelessness of your life. Even the well-to-do are troubled by the cloud of depression, and the sense that something is missing from their lives.
One of the benefits you will gain from working consciously and deliberately on your legacy is a sense of meaning and purpose in your life. People with purposeful lives are far less inclined to suffer depression and feelings of low self-esteem. You will be buoyed by your own deeds and thoughts as you work toward a meaningful achievement every day.
Leaving a Tangible Legacy
If you are in the fortunate position of having more wealth than your descendants could possibly need, you should consider how you could use it to contribute to a philanthropic or other goal you may have, after your death. In fact, some super-wealthy individuals have set up foundations for their favorite causes even during their lifetimes.
Even if you’re not in a position to donate billions, you could leave a donation to your favorite charity or non-for-profit organization. Many individuals set up scholarships for underprivileged or deserving students. Whatever form an endowment takes will depend on your circumstances, it will give you a sense of fulfillment that you’ve been able to do something for the betterment of the community or the world at large.
Being an Extraordinary Parent or Grandparent
“Teach your children well…And feed them on your dreams…The one they picked, the one you’ll know by.”– Crosby, Stills & Nash
You may not be in a position to leave anything valuable or tangible behind to speak of, but you would surely want to be remembered as an extraordinary parent or grandparent. Spending quality time with your children or grandchildren will do more to remind them of your love, than any tangible inheritance can do. It will leave them with fond memories of a time that they thoroughly enjoyed, to pass on to their children.
You could even invite the kids in your neighborhood and teach them a new skill or coach them at your favorite sport. They won’t forget you and who knows, you may just be mentoring a future international sports star.
Even in your senior years, it may not be too late. You have a vast repertoire of your life experiences that you can share with your grandchildren. You can impart your life stories and skills to them. They will learn from and be inspired by your wisdom, and someday they will say, ‘you know, my grandfather/grandmother used to say…’. You will have left behind a lasting legacy.
Tackling Your Dream Project
Many of us harbor some dream project, but we never seem to get round to it. You may have wanted to write book. Now, you may not become the next Stephen King or JK Rowley, but you could still turn your experience or expertise into a book that will be useful to someone. You could start doing an outline today or begin researching your idea.
Perhaps you wanted to build your own house. You could start designing it and give some thought to the material that should go into the building. You may be thinking of some radical architectural design, or an off-the-grid home, or a house based on green technology. Getting the design down on paper will at least get your project off the ground.
Endurance Feats to Spread a Message
Whilst it is obviously not for everyone, a number of individuals have tackled superhuman endurance feats, often to raise awareness of some cause. Serge Roetheli of Switzerland has performed several remarkable endurance feats, one of which was to run around the world at the age of 47, eventually covering 37 countries in 6 continents. And there were others, such as Rosie Swale-Pope of England who covered 20,000 after turning 57, and Paul Staso who did a solo run across the US. And there are many who have cycles or swam for long distances. These are people that left their mediocre lives behind and did something extraordinary.
Many people have coupled their running, or traveling, across states or countries with a distinct message that they wished to spread wherever they go, whether it be for peace, to raise funds for cancer research, or to draw attention to some wrong in the world. If physical limitations do not permit you to attempt physical endurance feats, you can drive or simply travel all over, holding meetings or talking to people to spread your message. Who knows how many people you could inspire or move by your feats of endurance.
Planting Seeds
In 18th century America, there was a pioneer nurseryman, who became a legend by planting apple seeds across several states in the US. A vast network of nurseries and grown trees stands today as the legacy of John Chapman, an American pioneer nurseryman, who came to be known as the legendary John Appleseed.
You can take this lesson literally and start planting seeds and trees in your neighborhood or all over your state. This is all the more meaningful today with the world’s forests being destroyed at an alarming rate. You may not live to see the grown trees, but your descendants will thank you and your legacy.
Or you can look at it metaphorically, and start planting the seeds of education in young minds. Teach young people whatever you know best, whether it be technical or skills, or lessons in morality and ethical behavior. Nurture them to become self-confident individuals playing a meaningful role in society. Many great achievers had mentors, who inspired them in their lives and careers.
Doing Some Healing
Every adversity holds an opportunity to turn it into something positive, for example, volunteering for the emergency services after a devastating storm, or speaking about a disease, after losing a loved one to the disease. Think of Christopher Reeves campaigning for better research into spinal chord injuries, after he was bound to his wheelchair.
Many families carry with them the burden of old feuds and attitudes. This is an opportunity to do something for your family be healing the family rift. Take it upon yourself to resolve your differences and bring everyone together for the next Thanksgiving dinner. You will leave this world feeling a better person for having done so.
Or gift someone something unusual. It could be a whole tree planted in their garden, or a photo book with your memories with them, or a paid course to study a new language. They will remember you as a friend who was unique and who made a difference in their lives.
Doing It Online
In the modern world, everything has moved online. That means you can find most people online, on social media or on mobile apps. The way to get any message across to people is no longer the media or television. You popularize ideas by uploading videos to YouTube or by becoming an “influencer ” on Instagram. You have a worldwide audience online. For instance, many musicians are making a name for themselves through social media.
If you’re thinking about creating a lasting legacy, whether it be by way of inspiring or teaching, or campaigning for some cause, you need to do it in cyberspace. It may seem intangible and fleeting, but there are real people watching and reading online content every day. To stand out, though, from the millions who add their content to the online world, you need to have something unique to say or do.
May the few ideas and examples of how you too can leave a legacy, tangible or intangible, be your starting point to a more purposeful and meaningful life.
