What if today was the last day of your life? What would people say about you tomorrow?
Gary Gardiner, a local photographer with an impressive Associated Press career, had a scare a few years back with a too-close-for-comfort encounter with a dump truck shortly after retiring. Among other reflections, he wondered, if he had died, what people might say about him and his photography post-retirement. Gary decided to be very intentional about this and make sure that no one ever had to wonder about what his final photo was. On November 15, 2004, he launched a website where he would post one photo every day for as long as he lived. That final photo would be one that he would be proud to leave behind on his last day.
In legal terms, legacy is a gift of property, usually bequeathed in a will. However, in popular culture, legacy has come to mean one’s lasting impact on the world; family, friends, community and more.
We tend to consider legacy as someone nears the end of a long career, a long life, or when someone particularly important to us dies. Derek Jeter retired from the New York Yankees with an undisputed legacy of hard work and team play. When Steve Jobs died, his legacy was Apple’s culture of innovation. Mother Teresa’s humble life of service was her legacy, even long before her life ended.
What if you knew you were going to die by the end of the day? Would that change your behavior in any way? My guess is it would, because we all want to leave behind positive memories for those who would mourn.
~ ~ ~ I challenge us to reframe our legacy as a daily outcome rather than a cumulative life- or career-long reflection. Every day, what we say and do sends a message to the people around us. Our behavior creates an image of who we are as human beings. The compassion we feel, the humor we offer, the commitments we keep and the love we share all help bring that picture into focus for others to see. Of course, other behaviors can paint a very different picture. Our daily choices contribute to how people see us and how they will remember us. Just like Gary Gardiner and his final photo, we need to be intentional about our daily outcomes.
What if today was the last day of your life? What will today’s legacy be?
