Have you ever stopped to think about how you want to be remembered? I mean, when you are gone and people stand by your grave or sit around in the house and talk about you, what will they say? On the other hand, do you wonder if you’re going will be remembered at all?
Sorry if that sounds rather morbid, but read on because you are going to realise the importance of what I am saying today.
I had a wonderful Saturday afternoon at South Lakes Safari Zoo with both my daughters and grandchildren. As we were walking around looking at all the wonderful animals, seeing the smiles and hearing the giggles from both my grandkids I wondered if days out like this would long live in both their memories. Then I began to contemplate what would they remember about me in the future when I was no longer with them.
It made me think back to the day I sat at the side of my mother who had that morning passed away. As I sat with her after she passed, I had thoughts that had never occurred to me before. The most powerful were all about what we leave behind in life, after all life is far more than clamoring for success, money, accolades, joy, comfort, and love. How will we be remembered and what is the legacy we’re leaving behind is the most important thing we have.
What do you want to be remembered for? What do you want your kids, your grandkids and the people in your life to remember you for? Do you want to leave a legacy behind?
It doesn’t matter how long we live, but rather, it matters how we live. Once we pass away the only thing that matters is the memories that we leave behind in our wake and how we used our time to make the difference.
“Life is not measured by the breaths we take but by the moments that take our breath away.“ Hilary Cooper
Have you ever walked through a very old cemetery and noticed the headstones that mention more than just names and dates? What did they say about the person?
What do you want yours to say?
I would like to be remembered as someone who did the best she could with the talent she had. J. K. Rowling
What will you be remembered for? Your academic achievements, job position, business success, financial wealth.
Moses is remembered as someone who chose to align himself with the people of God instead of enjoying the treasures of Egypt. He led and served God’s people by faith.
A French newspaper published Alfred Nobel’s obituary by mistake, saying “the merchant of death is dead” & that “he made his fortune by finding a way to kill the most people as ever before in the shortest time possible.” They were referring to him inventing dynamite. Alfred Nobel, still alive, became horrified as he read this. He then went on to established the Nobel Prizes and changed his will to donate most of his fortune to the Nobel Prize foundation. Today, he is remembered for peace and progress.
It is important for you to take the time to think about how you want to be remembered, because it is not too late to change your destiny. Look at your life and evaluate how you are living, the legacy you are creating. Then figure out how to focus on what really matters to you.
No matter how old you are when you realize you want to do this, it is never too late.
It is never too late to create the life you want.
By asking yourself how you want to be remembered you will plant the seeds for living your life as if you matter. Considering your legacy gives you a compass to help you move with purpose and determination even in the most uncertain times.
“You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.” C.S. Lewis
It is about living your best life from this moment forward.
It’s about living in a way that people remember how good you made them feel.
Your kindness.
Your caring.
Your warmth.
Your love.
Your humour.
Your patience.
Your inspiration.
Your honesty.
Your passions.
Your faith.
Your determination to never give up, no matter what!
“And in the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.” Abraham Lincoln
It is time for you to live life full of optimism, of heartfelt purpose, of confidence and of passion for the future. Making sure you live how you want to be remembered.
Think about this. According to psychologist and Concentration camp survivor Viktor Frankl, “Everyone has his own specific vocation or mission in life. Everyone must carry out a concrete assignment that demands fulfilment. Therein he cannot be replaced, nor can his life be repeated. Thus everyone’s task is as unique as his specific opportunity to implement it.” Each of us has a purpose for which we were created. Our responsibility—and our greatest joy—is to identify it.
The important thing is to start thinking about the question of how you want to be remembered. Over time you can adapt your daily actions to who you want to be remembered for. It’s not an overnight process but something you will work on your whole life.
Just get started.
Every second that you live you are never going to get back. You are never going to get to change what you said, didn’t say, did, or didn’t do. Live how you want to live. Act how you want to be remembered, because you never know how long or short you are going to be here. Emily Doberstein
Last year I wrote a book called The Single Page Plan. The premise of the book was learning the importance of creating a Life Plan. In making a life plan, one of the first steps is to write your own eulogy. It is your starting point.
My personal goal is to create a legacy where I made the difference through what I contribute to others, and that I was a kind, caring, loving, supportive, enlivening and empowering man.
I believe that the most important question you can ask yourself in life, to ensure that at the end, you won’t have regrets, is “how you want to be remembered?” Knowing the answer to this question helps you live every day in a way that will result in what you truly want, rather than in emptiness, pain, and regret.
Think about it.
How you want to be remembered? Comment below.
Importantly, are you actively taking steps to make sure you are remembered the way you want?
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Want to create a life plan to ensure you live up to how you want to be remembered? Let me coach you! Let me help you make progress on your goals and in your life! Let’s connect and find out whether I can help you through a free introductory life coaching session
