Legacy.  The word itself intimidates many people as it is the one thing that you will be remembered for long after you are gone, creating a panic and questioning of: Have I made the right impact?  But think about it this way, your legacy is truly just a reflection of what type of person you are and how people perceive your personality through your actions.  As we get older, it is important for us to begin to think about what the world is going to remember about us when we are gone and how we can create the positive image of ourselves that we strive for and leave behind.  This idea in mind can assist us in creating a role for ourselves in society where we show compassion and sensitivity for the people we meet causing them to associate our names with a positive image. In this hectic age of technology and new beginnings, the footprint you leave on the world becomes almost inerasable, so why not make it one to remember?

When thinking about legacies, the word popularity comes to mind.  If I’m being completely honest, I’ve never really understood the whole popularity thing.  How is it that a group of people can be considered popular by being rude to others in order to climb the social pyramid, and receive the winning prize of admiration and influence?  This leads to the question of, would you rather be remembered for your unpleasant acts by a large group of people, or by your selfless, kind acts by a small group of people? 

There is a huge difference between creating a well-known legacy for yourself or a meaningful one.  For example, think of all the terrorist outbreaks we faced over the last few years.  Though the terrorist is the person who may become more well known for their impact on the world, it is the lesser known responders and victims that leave behind a positive legacy rather than a negative one.

Though it may sound difficult to create a positive legacy, all you have to do is live your life with respect and kindness for others.  Live your life by the philosophy, “treat others the way you want to be treated,” and you are heading down the right path.  Remember its not what you leave for others that matters, it’s what you leave inside of them.

You never know how a person is going to change your life.  You never know how you will change another person’s life.  What you do know is how you can live out each and every day to be one to remember and do things that you will be proud of.   In our world today, there are so many things that we are unable to control.  The legacy that you leave behind is something that you have complete power over and you get to make the decision if it is going to be positive or negative.  While thinking about your legacy, try to answer this simple question: If you could describe yourself in one word at this moment of your life, what would it be?

Would you be happy if that’s how you were remembered?