It is said that we came into this world with nothing and will leave with nothing. A harsh truth indeed, but what we leave behind might create ripples in the world. Even Tsunamis start as small ripples. A person’s legacy is what they leave behind; their story and what they contributed to society.
I occasionally ponder upon the nature of my existence, shifting from idea to idea, furtively trying to figure out what my purpose is in this life. I do not believe we were born to live mediocre lives, and then welcome death. The world is full of miracles, and our existence itself cannot and must not be anything short of one. Do you really believe we came here to do nothing? Was the world made so beautiful just so that we could bypass its surreal beauty and focus on mundane errands?
Each day seems the same now, mindlessly doing things repeatedly as if we were programmed to do so. Our individualities are diminishing and merging into one big ball of unconsciousness; for we are unconscious of our true purpose. The Earth has so many wonders, and surreal does not even begin to describe them. Have you seen an Aurora (the northern lights)? Probably not, as they are indeed far away and inaccessible to most of us. But imagine, natural wonders never cease to amaze, yet we are here in our bedrooms, upset about the smallest of things. I, personally, am most upset about not seeing the fantastical natural wonders available to be experienced.
We are but a speck in this universe and are given the opportunity to witness life in all its glory. We need to wake up to the reality of what life could be like, for we cannot leave without making a mark. I believe that if we have eyes to see, and senses to feel what life is, we already possess a huge blessing. The one who seizes that blessing and morphs a work of art from it is the one who will leave a legacy behind. As grand as it sounds, maybe just being true to ourselves and sharing that with the world is but a legacy in itself.
My legacy must be prominent. I cannot let life die out of me without doing something great. For fear rules my heart, being true to myself is grand enough for me. I do not mean to cause earthquakes in society, but without that, change seems improbable. Musicians who leave the legacy of changing lives with the sheer power of their words are immensely inspiring to me. Inspiration is truly fascinating, for it awakens something that was already inside, waiting to be called upon.
Could my words end up being a source of inspiration for people, too? I wonder if that is what my legacy could be. Maybe I won’t be able to move mountains, but experiencing life in such a way that no crevice remains undiscovered, and so that no life remains untouched by the sheer magic of my soul, might satiate me. A legacy is not a necessity, but to leave a great mark behind that will be remembered for ages to come, seems like the best way to go.
This write-up was first featured in my college magazine, Parthenon (B.A. Magazine, Jesus and Mary College), and I posted it here to showcase it. I hope you like it!
Check out my recent book review – Marching On
Most revolutionary feats were achieved by the young and the restless but were recognized much later, sometimes much after they were long gone. Only those who question the status quo can envision the changes they seek. The power to dream and actualise what one visualises is but one way to leave a legacy.
Go Girl, Make a Mark!
Buen Vida