MEMENTO MORI

I recently lost a gadget that was in a way ceremoniously handed down to me by my mother. Though not as expensive, the value attached to it seemed elevated by the fact that it was given to me in the sincerity of heart and uttermost felt love. So losing it felt like losing quite a big deal to me. No matter what replaced it, I wouldn’t get so attached to it as was with the other gadget. This set me to thinking about the short span of time that is pegged to existence. Nothing lasts forever.


Digging deep I came across this Medieval Latin theory and practice of reflection on mortality, especially as a means of considering the vanity of earthly life and the transient nature of all earthly goods and pursuits. It redundantly inculcates into the sub-conscience of someone the fact that one day, maybe soon or later, they will be no more in existence. Death is inevitable, loss is but nature, what can be found can be lost. What is born must die, especially that which is born of a woman. This is quite the contrary when we speak about, that which is born of the spirit.


That aside, now that we cannot avoid losing our breath, wouldn’t it be gallant to preserve it in a totally new dimension? How then can one keep their life preserved yet they have lost it? How can someone outlive themselves? The same cliché goes: live a legacy, leave a legacy.


Far be it from you to always have the notion that a legacy entails moving masses of political followers; or having millions of fans who pledge their fidelity to you; or having a clique that sings your praises even in your absence. Well, the aforementioned are not exempted from being indicators of a strong legacy, but I am of the proposition that the most noble of legacies are veiled in the secrets of abstraction. No deeds are best exemplified in their best faith than those done in private, not in a pretension to exhibit humility but in a tireless attempt to change a life.


An indelible mark goes down into the lives of those you make an impact on. No good man ever forgets a good act done to them. Your name goes into generations of families for a good thing you did to their grandpa, dad or even brother. A formidable bond is formed. It is never by accident that you are in the place that you are in. Be it in your class, job place, home, community, church, a legacy can be built anywhere.



All you need is the patience to see the hope in a cut tree. Even where the most evident of despair is seen, have an aerial view that is far much contrary to the face value that an individual might portray in their potential. Give hope where there is none. Give strength where there is weakness. Speak up where suppressed voices are. Be the man or lady whose entrance into a crisis would cause the victims to sigh with great relief from an anticipated solution to flow from.


And then when that day comes when you are called yonder to the life full of rest, let it be that universe springs weightless from the much you brought into it. Let it be that organizations perpetually continue in successful existence because of your efforts. Let it be that the love you taught to your siblings, wife, kids and friends grown stronger than even when you were there. A legacy is best measured by the success of your efforts after you are gone. And if there were a better way to calibrate it then it would be through you reproducing yourself into a younger energy and potential. As you meditate upon your end, that daily grown nigh, bring up a successor, be they animate or inanimate. Live and leave a legacy.