“Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways that you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.” - John Wesley
Legacy is at the top of the hierarchy of health. This is your purpose, Ikigai, or life’s mission. This can vary dramatically at the individual level. Most people will find that there is some semblance of finding ways to reduce suffering. This commonly revolves around service, creation, counseling, or passing on wisdom or knowledge for the next generation to build upon. For some people it’s about ending a cycle. It could be honoring the memory of the life of someone who you unconditionally loved. This is the final stage of Joseph Campbell’s Hero’s Journey - The Return with the Elixir. This is where you give your gift or wisdom to improve the lives of others and the generations to come.
There are generational differences in the approach to what it means to live a good life. As such, it’s impossible to write what an individual legacy should look like for you. Your legacy is your dream. Your legacy is what you hope people say about you at your funeral.
We have a limited amount of time here on Earth. Most of us will be forgotten within 3 generations. When you expand your view point out, our existence is almost insignificant in the grand scheme of things. To take the position of nihilism or apathy about the situation is the easy way out. Believe that what you do over a lifetime matters. Take ownership of your situation. Believe that you are a small piece leading to a better tomorrow. These are the first steps in working towards your legacy.
Most people can think about something small that someone said to us that generated a massive impact on our lives and how we view ourselves. Consider that in your interactions with others. What you do on a daily basis matters, what you do over a lifetime matters, what you do with your life matters, how you approach your life matters. Our time on this earth is an interesting thing. It’s just enough time to make an impact, it’s never enough time to do everything you want. Choose wisely how you spend your time. Practice fluctuating your mind between your dream and the present. Don’t forget to show up. Don’t forget to take action. To reach your dream/legacy, you need to walk towards it daily.
I’m hopeful that this series on the hierarchy of health was beneficial. At times, we get overwhelmed and stray from the path that we desire to be on. It’s ok. We all make mistakes. There’s no benefit in feeling guilty. Outside of one person, I’ve yet to meet a perfect individual. Live, learn and pass on (Dave Tate). We are generally blessed with second opportunities; take advantage of them.
“People are often unreasonable, illogical and self-centered. Forgive them anyway. If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Be kind anyway. If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies. Succeed anyway. If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you. Be honest and frank anyway. What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight. Build anyway. If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous. Be happy anyway. The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow. Do good anyway. Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough. Give your best anyway. You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and your God. It was never between you and them anyway.” - Mother Teresa
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