There was an event I attended a couple of years back in an organisation I worked before, which was to honour a group of people for their Impact, which I was also among the awardees, even though I was only there for my internship programme. During the speech by the Director, he said that some people have spent years in the company, yet some have spent just months but have created a lot of imparts and that is why they are among the awardees. That was when I understood that it is not actually the length of time you have spent that correlates to legacy, but the impact that you have created. The impacts you make in the lives of others and even in your environment, is what will count as legacy.
It is worthy to note that it may not even be something very massive that may create the most impact, it may just be small meaningful moments, like a kind advice, nice words of encouragement, an idea, a selfless act of kindness, or by just being present for someone when they need it the most. There are moments that may seem ordinary but with lifetime of effects in the heart of the recipient. For example, giving someone a cup of water who is thirsty, even though the water may look so small and even cheap, but the effect will be priceless - these are part of the moments that matter.
One of the things that I have understood is that it does not matter the level you are, you can still create Impactful moments. Leaving a legacy is not just reserved for the people in the high position of authority or only rich people. Every human has the power within them to create moments that can positively influence others and also inspire them. Making a good legacy begins from your mindset. A mindset that always desires to give more than they would want to take, a mindset that would uplift people instead of criticizing them, a mindset that always sees ways to build and not to break. Which means, you have to resolve within your mind to live each moment intentionally.
Take a moment and think of the people who have had the biggest influence in your life. You will realise that some of them were not the high-brow people in the society but the ordinary people who have done extraordinary things. This is also why I believe that an available help, no matter how small it may look like, is far better than a vain promise. It is not what you say you will do that ultimately matters, but what you actually do. In addition to this, you have to also know that it is not the size of your possession that correlates to influence, but how you have affected someone's life with what you have.
Opportunities to create Impactful moments are all around you - in your home, community, place of work, etc. When I was in school, when I used to travel for the vacation period to my Uncle's place, there was this boy that normally comes around and I would help him with some of his school work. In the few weeks I would spend there, he would come, sometimes with some of his friends, and I would teach them a couple of things. When I was leaving, they came to me with a parting gift and a smile, and told me that I have impacted positively on them and they would love to appreciate me. Even though it did not look big but it was the heart that matters, and I also knew that, at least, I had done something positive and have left a legacy there. Legacy is not a function of time or how long, but of impact.
In whatever you do, you need to have humanity at heart. At the end of the day, you will not force people to remember you for good, but you have to earn it by how good you have been and the kind of impact you have created. It is what you do when you are around, maybe in an environment, that will be what you will be remembered for. Always remember that your actions and the intentions behind them are what define who you are.
Thanks for reading
