Legacy

We tend to hear about legacies in terms of sports teams, celebrities, politicians…in other words, public figures of all sorts. But most of us will never have that type of notoriety or fame, and it’s easy to think of our own personal legacies as not really making much of a difference. As a matter of fact, I suspect many of us don’t really think about our own personal legacies at all.

I’ve gone to a couple of funerals (for an older aunt and uncle) the last 12 months. My Mom is 96 years old and suffering from dementia. Her physical abilities are declining. She’s lived a long, full life. And she’s also the last of her siblings (of 8). In other words, I have no aunts and uncles left (my Dad and his siblings have all passed). When my Mom passes, there will be an entire book (not just a chapter) closed on a big part of my life (and that of my cousins as well). Family was incredibly important to her. And the fact that all the cousins still keep in touch is a testament to her legacy.

As I get older, it makes me wonder about my own legacy. It brings to mind immediate questions around impact and purpose. I mean, I have an idea what I would want my legacy to be…but am I doing the things now that are contributing to what I want that legacy to be? If I look back at the end of my life, will I be proud of the things I did? The hard battles and obstacles I overcame? The people and issues I stood up for because it was the right thing to do?

Here’s what I’ve learned the last few years.

Sure, there are bigger-than-life personalities that might inspire us (a kid being inspired by watching an Olympic athlete). But we’ll never move further than simple inspiration if there aren’t people around us (family and friends) that encourage us to pursue that inspiration day in and day out. When we get knocked down, they are there to pick us up. When we feel scared, they are there to put an arm around us and quell the fear. When we feel overwhelmed, they are there to help us take a deep breath.

To me, these are the behind-the-scenes, quiet, truly profound legacies that will never get public accolades. But these are the legacies that “move the needle,” as they say. People like my Mom (and Dad) that simply supported every crazy idea I wanted to pursue; that loved me (even when they wanted to throttle me sometimes); that were always there when I needed a safe harbor; that taught me valuable lessons about compassion, respect, self-worth, and confidence.

My legacy? If I’ve even played a tiny, insignificant role in helping one person chart a life-journey based in humanity, I’d be overjoyed.

Every single one of us will leave a legacy behind. Can our legacies change the world? Maybe. Maybe not. But our legacies will most definitely change the worlds of the people around us.

What do you want your legacy to be?