For quite some time I have been particularly engrossed with the idea of legacy, defined as the enduring influence...
THINK PAD
For quite some time I have been particularly engrossed with the idea of legacy, defined as the enduring influence of a person that continues to be felt long after their lifetime. What kind of legacy am I creating? Is it positive, inspiring, helpful or encouraging?
Every person who has lived will ultimately leave a legacy, and whether it is good or bad, significant or minimal, depends on their character, behaviour and actions during their lifetime. Certain individuals do work of such remarkable magnitude in their lifetime that they leave behind a brilliant legacy.
Scientist Marie Curie invented mobile X-ray units which were used to locate and treat shrapnel in the bodies of injured soldiers, saving the lives of an estimated million of them during the First World War. President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863 and supported the Thirteenth Amendment in 1865, measures which ultimately abolished slavery in the United States.
The efforts and actions of people like Marie Curie and Abraham Lincoln helped a countless number of people and made the world a better place. Yet there have also been people who inflicted barbarism and cruelty, and that remains their unfortunate legacy.
All of us cannot be scientists and leaders but we can still leave a meaningful legacy. We can achieve this through our work and careers by working with passion, diligence and good intention.
A teacher, for example, can set an example by being exceptionally inspiring and motivating for her students, so that they are able to achieve greatness because of her influence. A doctor can be compassionate with his patients and treat them with patience and understanding so that they leave feeling better than before.
I will always remember my biology teacher in O levels, who appeared to be very strict at first but turned out to be the kindest soul I have met in my life. The softness of her nature still echoes in my heart today which is why she is unforgettable. Her kindness was her legacy.
At the same time I will always fondly remember a doctor who treated my ear when I had sunk into despair and felt my life was doomed. It was not his perfect diagnosis of my condition that left its mark but his considerate manner through which he put my fears to rest.
One can also leave a purposeful legacy through hobbies. In a painting an artist may highlight suffering and injustice, while a writer may spread good and valuable knowledge through his writings. No matter what it is you do, however small, if you do it with sincerity, kindness and good intention, it shall form a positive part of your legacy. Your character itself is a significant part of your legacy, for being a person of integrity and showing traits such as honesty, truthfulness, fairness and responsibility tends to benefit not only you but others around you.
I remember my cousin once told me something quite remarkable. He said that after death people are rarely remembered for their beauty or wealth, but for the positive change they brought to the lives of others. What an enlightening thought. Post death appreciation, respect and reverence usually come to those whose work served humanity during their lifetime and continued to do so after they were gone.
Your presence in this world is the result of a complex biological process. The odds of being born are four hundred trillion to one. Yes, you heard that right.
It means you are here, you are special, you are chosen, you are a miracle, you matter and your actions matter. Take this as your duty to leave a positive impact, even if it is for just one other person.
