MCreates

Oftentimes, the statement “How do you want to be remembered or what do you want to be remembered for” relates to death or the last days of our lives. It often equates to the legacy we leave behind. It is that mark we leave, the void we create when we are gone. But should we really just limit it to that? Should we just stop at that one or a few great things we did that people remember when we are gone?

I had been thinking about that for some time. I guess it is something that crosses our minds every now and then. When we hear of someone’s passing, we think of what will happen when we too, have come to our end. I think about it in the days leading to my birthday, too. Thinking about what I have done with my life and what will become of me when I move on to the other side. Of course, those close to us will remember us but what about the other people we encountered, those people at work, the people in our neighborhood? Thinking about it, I also realized how people easily forget. How easily our memories can be marred by some misinformation or misunderstanding. How the good things one has done can be forgotten or worse, changed into something bad.

Will I even be remembered or will my memory just vanish in oblivion? Does it even matter to leave something behind? I remember Peter Drucker’s book asking people to ask the same question. In his book, Management Cases, his last case is about what you want to be remembered for. I also remember him answering it himself and saying that Having enabled the few people to do the things they want to do is what he wants to be remembered for. I am sure he accomplished that considering his impact in the lives of a lot of people in the business world and having been named the father of modern management. I also remember a famous quote from him where he said, “It is more important to do the right thing than to do the thing right.” So maybe, I should start with that.

To do the right thing at all times, even when no one is looking and no one will find out. To make the world a better place. To make each encounter, no matter how seemingly insignificant, worthy of one’s time. We encounter a lot of people in our lives, some we hoped we never met at all while some touched our lives. Like that teacher who encouraged us to keep going. That boss who helped you start your career by recognizing your potential. That stranger we saw helping an elderly and made us believe that there’s still good in this world. Little things, short encounters, seemingly insignificant. Yet, they can mean a lot at that moment. At that moment, we are probably unknowingly, changing lives and leaving a legacy. People will surely forget over time but does it really matter?