I have spoken about legacy in the past but it is something I want to throw more light on, mainly because I came across a post recently that had me thinking about it once more. The post:
The only place we are safe is in the memory of those who love us.
We live in a time and age where most humans thrive on the idea of sharing every tiny bit of their life, hoping to connect with people. This desperate attempt to better people or things often pushes us to strange places, doing strange things to please people we do not care about.
Recently I got married, and I would say things panned out the way I wanted. The circumstances surrounding our marriage warranted it to be quick and as private as possible. I only had a couple of people during my wedding introduction and my parents during our court marriage.
Our decision did not sit well with everyone we knew but it was good for me. I did not get to feed strangers or people I did not care about during my wedding. It was just about me, my wife and my family. They are probably going to be the only people who would remember or even cherish this milestone as much as my wife and I.
As I get older I feel less need to share ourselves with the world. Unfortunately (and fortunately) I have an active blog where I share my experiences and thoughts on relevant issues that concern me, however, I am limiting how much of myself I share, mainly because no one cares, and I do not either. If I had my way, I would live a life of solitude, with my wife (and future kids) on a ranch or something.
I want to look back in my final moments and be proud that I have done right by the people closest to me, and my community by extension. In a world where most people are seeking gratification on the highest level by chasing larger-than-life experiences, I want something tangible and close to my heart, and that for me is family.
Life can be beautiful in the little things and spaces you call your own where your impact is felt and your memory kept. I don't know who would remember me 100 years from now (mostly, everyone reading this post would be forgotten by then), so I better live a life I am proud of, not one other person approves.
In conclusion, prioritize creating memories with those closest to you. Remember that they are the only few people in the world that will preserve your memory when you leave this earth and if being remembered means anything to you then you should treat them right.