In the big scheme of things, we’re on this earth for a relatively short while. How do we come to grips with that and what does living with purpose have to do with it? Living with purpose is about leaving a legacy. It’s about creating something that outlives and outlasts us. It’s about having something that we can pass on to the next generation or at the very least look back on and be proud of.
That’s a pretty heady concept, isn’t it? It’s also a big comfort to know that we haven’t “wasted” our limited time here. You don’t want to feel regret when the time comes. You want to feel like you’ve done all you could and had an impact. That’s what living with purpose is about. Are you ready to leave a lasting legacy?
It doesn’t have to be a big humanitarian project or a huge trust fund for a non-profit. Small changes can have a big impact on the people whose lives you’ve touched. Let’s say, what you do, what you say, and how you lead by example changes the lives of 5 other people. Those five then go on to touch the lives of five more people each, making a difference for 25 people. The impact 125. Over the course of 10 “generations”, the five people whose lives you’ve changed has touched and affected 9,765,625. That’s a huge number.
Don’t feel like your legacy and your purpose have to be something big in your lifetime. Instead, make a small impact in your community and with the people around you. As you pass on your kindness or your skills, they will continue to be shared going forward and touch the lives of many. Your life matters. What you do matters. All it takes is to figure out what your purpose in life is and to start living by it.
Use it as motivation to start looking for your purpose. Finding out what this will be is the first step towards creating your legacy. Once you know what it is or where you want to start, make an effort to do something regularly to fulfill your purpose. Use this idea of leaving a legacy to keep going, even when you don’t feel like you’re making much of a difference. Use it to challenge yourself to learn more, get better, and do more.
Living with purpose isn’t just about what happens when you’re gone. Knowing that you’re leaving a legacy and are having an impact will give meaning to your life. It makes you feel better and is one of the best ways to increase happiness and satisfaction throughout your life. Give it a try and start leaving a legacy.
Leave a Reply