What Will You Be Remembered For?

A reflection exercise that, if applied, can realign your life course.

We are all born with originality. We march to the beat of desire that is in our hearts and soul.

When we enter our school years, we are anxious to fit in. It is the reality that children tend to be cruel. A square peg is forced to fit into a circle, with no room for diversity. We compromise our interests and our truth for the sake of avoiding the uncharted and scary waters of being alone and without friends. Everyone is guilty of it, but somewhere along the way, we tend to lose ourselves.

There comes a point where our inner self becomes so lost we are forced to answer the call deep within. Does it take a failed relationship? Does it take a brush with death? Loss of a job? Maybe it is just a crisis of identity, not knowing who you are.

Look forward to charting your path

Think of your life toward the end of your existence, whenever that is. What do you want to be remembered for? When they write your obituary, what will be your legacy? When a person from your past opens the newspaper and learns of your passing, what do you want their reaction to be? What kind of feeling or memory do you want to spark when someone thinks of you?

I think the answer is simple. We want to be remembered fondly. We want to know that we have made an impact on the lives we had touched. We want a room full of people who have a story to tell; we want to have taught someone a lesson about themselves that no one has sparked before. We want to know we mattered to someone, that our life had authenticity.

So how do we get there?

Listen to your inner voice, your truth. How often do we wish we had listened to what our intuition was telling us but ignored it? That compass will never steer you in the wrong direction.

Does that mean you may lose friends along the way? Of course. As time has marched on, I have valued the small group of my friends and family. My tribe. The treasure of friendship lies in the quality, not the number of friendships.

Are there family members or friends you do not feel have your best interests at heart? Are you in a romantic relationship that you feel is going nowhere?

The act of loyalty can stand the test of time through the good and bad moments that life throws your way. If your relationships can weather the storm of disagreement, then be protective of those connections. If they fail, then it is time to cut your losses and move on.

Who do you want to be?

Think about the type of person you want to be. What do you want to stand for? What do you believe in? Morals, virtues, and values are the sum of your character.

No one typically regrets giving. Is there a cause you believe in that you want to support? Do you want to get involved in a movement, but are too afraid of the commitment? We are so quick to judge others. What if we took a moment and really understood someone’s point of view or position in life?

The time between when we are in the womb until the time we die, what sentiments do you want to live by? What examples do you want to set? What final words do you want to be spoken about yourself at the pulpit during your eulogy?

Set your example now. Live by the honor of your words and actions. Do yourself justice. Return to the originality you were born into.

About the Author

Sarah Seweryniak is from Buffalo, New York. Sarah’s writing career has spanned over a decade, writing for local newspapers and online publications. She loves writing pieces that connect, inform, and inspire. Subscribe to her e-mail list by clicking here and get more inspirational content delivered to your inbox.