What If You Died Today?
How would you be remembered?
Recently, I have been thinking about death and how it is tied to our legacies. Some people pass on, but their life continues on in the hearts of others. Some people seem to be demonized long after they are gone. Some people are simply forgotten after there is no one left to remember them.
We spend our lives preparing endlessly. As children, we prepare to go to school. In high school, we prepare to attend college. During college, we work towards our future careers. Our careers are just a stepping stone for retirement. Retirement seems to be the last milestone before we move on from this life and onto the next. If all we do is prepare for the next big step, then how can we every truly live? How can we leave anything bigger than ourselves?
The answer lies within our actions — big or small. You do not have to be Mother Theresa to be remembered for your kindness. Living life with love, patience, and honesty is the key to your legacy.
I do not want a thousand mourners. John Green says it better than I ever can,
“Maybe she wasn’t loved widely, but she was loved deeply. Isn’t that more than most of us get?”- The Fault in Our Stars
When I am dead, it won’t matter how many flowers are at my grave. What matters is that I set an example for those around me. I want my legacy to be in my love for others.
Just in general- live your life. Stop waiting for the perfect moment to be who you want to be. In time, the rest will follow.
