What will You Be Remembered For?
I was thinking of what article to share today but none of the ones I have on the ground seems appropriate.
It is not time for them I guess. “So what do I share”? I wondered.
Well, this thought that has been nagging in my head seems to want to be heard, so…
In recent times, I’ve found myself reflecting a lot. I think of my life and wonder, if I were to go home today, what would I be remembered for?
I know some of you will say “God forbid, not now”, and I agree not now because what will be said about me? What will your eulogy be?
The truth is this, “a life of impact is not necessarily measured by how long one lives. If it was by how long, Methuselah who is the oldest man that lived doesn’t really have much said about him except, “he begat…”
Na so so children him born. Beyond birthing children, what else do you know about him? Nothing!
Jesus Christ lived for only thirty-three years but His impact is still being felt to date.
Bob Marley died at thirty-six but we still sing his songs. Whitney Houston died at forty-eight but she will never be forgotten because her songs have outlived her.
Dele Giwa died at thirty-nine, yet his excellent journalism is still being celebrated because he paved the way for journalism in Nigeria. Chadwick Boseman died at forty-three. He is probably the only black superhero I know (thinking). He will never be forgotten. Steve Jobs died at fifty-six but Apple is here to stay.
Do you want me to go on?
Some lived very impactful lives and still lived long enough or…
Come to think of it, how long is long enough?
I would have wished for my dad to still be here even at ninety, my mum too but the truth is, even if they lived to be a hundred, I wouldn’t want to let them go because letting go is never easy.
Whether you like it or yes, that time will come, when you will have to let go of a loved one or be the one to be let go.
What will you be remembered for?
Are you living your life for only yourself or are you living it, helping others like it was meant to be? Are you changing lives in your own capacity or is everything about you?
In that small space where you are, you can make a difference.
Your smile can stop someone from committing suicide.
A hand of friendship extended makes a whole load of difference in people’s lives.
I’ve realised something, a generation has phased out.
Where is the Peter Kure of yesteryears? Musa Fyang, David Kimza, General Arushe, Dan T Gaiya, Yusuf Byoma…?
Where is Mrs Kures, aka Maman Kim, where is Mrs Haruna, Mrs Bawa, Mrs Bako, Mrs La’ah…? All of blessed memory. Where are they?
Where are all those people that shaped our lives?
They are gone, all gone. Very few are left from that generation and soon, I’m sorry but soon, they will join those that have gone ahead of them.
Suddenly and without preparation, we are at the forefront.
We are the ones left to make an impact and, if Jesus tarries, influence those coming behind us. We must, in the words of Wayen Watson, “shoulder the weight of the work left to be done”.
Salma and I were discussing a while back and something struck while we were talking, painful but true. We grew up knowing our grandparents but our children will not have that privilege. Some may be fortunate to have one from one side or one from both sides or even two from both sides but our children, hmmm!
A lot of gaps to be filled, if you ask me. We will have to play the role of both parent and grandparent to our children because parents sometimes get too hard in trying to ensure their kids turn out well but grandparents balance it up by being more lenient so, you will have to learn to be hard when necessary and lenient when needed. You can't be hard all the way or too soft that you forget children need a firm hand.
So let me remind you today, the baton is now in your hand.
Make that difference now.
Be the change agent now.
Do good now. Speak out now.
Explore your gifts and talents now.
Help those you can now.
Influence people now, not because of what they will say about you at the end. See ba, after all is said and done, you truly would have made a difference.
People will be glad you came and lived, no matter how “short” you lived.
It's been said, time and again, 'it is not how long you live but how well.'
Live Well. Live Now.
Do not procrastinate what you can do now for another day.
If you want to travel, by all means, do. Explore new places. Do not wait.
Time! Time flies before you know it…
Selah!
So Live now. Live because a generation has phased out.
Both the young, the not so young and the old are all going.
Live a rich and fulfilled life now while you can.
Explore.
Take that risk, start that business, explore that idea.
It may just be the next big thing the world has been waiting for.
You can still make a difference.
It is never too late to start.
As long as you have breath, you can still do something.
It is a generational thing.
This is your time. This is the season you have.
Let your life count now.
Comments
Post a Comment