Your Legacy

What impact do you want to leave on the world?

Impact. Seems like a powerful word itself. It conveys a sense of change and importance. Many of us won’t ever be famous. Lots of us are just a background in someone else’s story. We pass through life with many collective goals and ambitions. Most of us would like to graduate high school and college. Many aspire to earn a degree. Some look for a loved one. The other half of themselves. The piece of the puzzle that completes you. Others wish to have a family. Several want to change the world. But what does that mean? To change the world. Your impact may not always be positive and yet, people leave out that crucial piece of information.

Despite not being a famous person or well known among many people, you can still have an impact on others. The smallest actions can cause a ripple effect and spread to the ends of the earth and back. Maybe it’s a hug you offer a friend who is suffering a tough time. Perhaps you are able to financially help someone who has been struggling with bills. Other times it may be your act to volunteer for people who may not be as fortunate as you in many respects. All of these small actions, as minuscule as they may seem to us, might be what gives someone else hope. That the world isn’t damned with all the horror we experience. That all the negative news and sadness they see is being dissipated with compassion, kindness and love.

Pass it on. Pay it forward. Treat others as you wish to be treated. These are life lessons we are taught to live by. Words such as these are instilled in our young children. While it is incredibly important to love yourself, take care of yourself and make sure that you have what you need, once that is taken care of, help share the joy with others.

I’m not a special person. Now, as strange as that may sound, it’s true. But, hear me out. We shouldn’t let how we impact others be what determines our value or importance. Unfortunately, that is very difficult for me. Currently, my life has and happiness has a lot to do with what I can do for others. I don’t place a lot of value on myself…at all. And it’s something I’m currently working on. I’m trying to recognize things that make me who I am and allow me to realize my worth in a way that doesn’t make me dependent on others. However, we should recognize that we are all capable of spreading the beauty of an outreached hand, the gesture of a gentle hug and the wonders a simple smile can bring to the world.

Impact wise, I’d like to help people realize that compassion is important, but not just towards other people, but all the living creatures we share this planet with. We are so out of touch with nature and take the world we live in for granted. The air we breathe, sounds we hear, smells that reach us, and warmth we feel; all of those things are unique and precious. We’ve lost sight of what is truly important here. It’s the smallest things that make the biggest difference and if we can recognize the small pieces of the puzzle, the entire picture becomes clear. I hope to inspire people to speak up for the things they are passionate about. All too often, we conform to thinking like everyone else and instead of letting your feelings and thoughts ring true, we sit on the sidelines and let our voices be drowned out by the screaming masses. Stand up for what you believe in, even if it means standing alone, because you could be the spark that lights the fire and brings about positive change. I hope to always be able to say what I feel and what I believe because I have the right to my thoughts, just as everyone does. Do not belittle others for their thoughts, feelings and actions. They are doing the best they can in this moment and time. Instead, if they show an interest in learning and understanding, educate in a kind way with a genuine attitude. I wish to positively impact this earth by planting trees and helping our environment blossom. I wish to educate myself about our endangered species and share this knowledge with others so that instead of destroying the earth we live on, we help it thrive with us and live in harmony with the creatures that dwell here.

There are numerous things I wish to do and I hope to share many of them here. And at the same, I hope not to be too wrapped up with life on technology and go out and experience the world. I want to travel and immerse myself in the culture of others. I want to see the world through the eyes of other people and view their passions, sorrows, laughter and tears. I hope to see hunger and starvation be put to an end and I want to be a part of it by volunteering, donating and making others aware. I’d like to see the amount of homeless pets we have dwindle in numbers and see every animal be treated with kindness, respect and fairness. Most of all, I aspire to make a difference that lasts long after I’m gone. Death may be inevitable, but your legacy you leave doesn’t have to be.