Leaving a Legacy

posted 22nd January 2012    Written by: Elyse    CATEGORY: All Posts, Elyse, Inspiration, Life Lesson, Season 5, What I've Learned

The dictionary definition of “legacy” is surprisingly boring and uninspiring:

leg·a·cy
noun
1. Law . a gift of property, especially personal property, as money, a will; a bequest.
2. anything handed down from the past, as from an ancestor or predecessor: the legacy of ancient Rome.
3. an applicant to or student at a school that was attended by his or her parent.
4. Obsolete . the office, function, or commission of a legate.
adjective
5. of or pertaining to old or outdated computer hardware, software, or data that, while still functional, does not work well with up-to-date systems.

I always imagined a legacy to be the mark one left on the world after their flame went out; something romantic and provocative that made people remember you and what you stood for. I’m not sure I want to leave a legacy if it only pertains to personal property, the college of your parents or outdated computer hardware. Now, if a legacy truly is closer to my imagined definition, leaving a legacy is definitely worth working on before I die.

However, I’m worried I might be so focused on leaving a legacy, I forget to live my life befitting of one. So many acts in this world, whether of creation or destruction, are done in the name of making a name for oneself so the world doesn’t forget. It can be good inspiration to accomplish something grand, but if all the focus is on a future world without you, the world with you will be unfulfilled and unlived.

Keeping that in mind, I do want to leave a lasting impression on the world. One that is positive and impactful, but I have to realize everything I do might not be as inspiring to some as it is to me. What if people don’t remember my name after I’m gone? What if they don’t continue to talk about my accomplishments? I think…that this is ok. I already shout my name and my accomplishments to the world with my action, but I can’t worry about what happens after. The most important  question will always be to me, not what others think about me after I’m gone, but the feeling of fulfillment I have about life when I take my dying breath.  If I could shout one thing to my peers from the rooftops? Don’t worry about making meaning in your death. Live to make meaning in your life. Right now.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

{Photo Credit: CountyLemonade}

Bookmark and Share
Comments (3)

3 Responses to “Leaving a Legacy”

  • Erin Lindsey Says:
    January 22nd, 2012 at 2:55 pm

    I certainly think your definition of legacy is more fitting than the dictionary version. I have always wanted to leave a legacy. I think I probably just need to focus on living life my way, the legacy will follow.

  • Hattie B Says:
    January 22nd, 2012 at 6:33 pm

    An apt reminder for us all – this is it! Life is happening now! Live in the moment! Thanks for this kick in the pants x

  • Link love (Powered by houseguests and popcorn) | Musings of an Abstract Aucklander Says:
    January 29th, 2012 at 2:07 am

    [...] on living life and leaving a legacy, at [...]

Leave a Reply

name*


email* (will not be published)


website


comments