tucker ballister in the mountains

How Would I Like To Be Remembered?

Written in January 2017

I’d like my life to remind people of the value of always being open to new experiences. If it kills me, so it goes. Life is here to be lived. Now, I don’t consider myself a thrill-seeker. But I also don’t want to spend my life avoiding all risks. There are many things, tangible and intangible, that we can take pleasure in. Some, indeed, may be healthier than others, at least physically.

But we must also consider health from the mental and emotional perspectives. What is a physically healthy life without a mentally and emotionally healthy life? I, personally, seem to thrive on newness. Stagnation is the enemy. There is so much to be seen, felt, heard, touched, and tasted in this world.

Sometimes our routines can limit the breadth and depth of our human experience. Sometimes we stop taking chances and start missing out on all that life has to offer. Sometimes life puts very difficult choices on our plates and our options feel limited. Sometimes we don’t feel like we’ve made the right choice. And sometimes we feel like we are completely out of options.

But some people live their entire lives without options. So, for those of us that do have them, No matter how difficult or humiliating they may seem, We must be grateful. If we have options, then we are blessed. We have the chance to change our lives. We have an opportunity for improvement.

And I think we owe it to those that do not have options to, at the very least, be empathetic to the struggles and pains of others. And, if we can, to spend our lives working to increase the options for those that currently have none.

Comments

  1. How would I like to be remembered? This is a very good question because I am very sure that everyone in this world would say that they definitely want to be remembered but this is the real question to be asked.  This post is a very thought-provoking one and I really admire it. I am going to share this post too. Nice one!

    1. Thanks! Have you ever heard the saying that “everyone dies twice”? The first is when they bury you in the grave and the second is the last time that somebody mentions your name. We can be remembered long after our bodies leave this physical plain, but how do the actions we take while we’re here impact future generations? 

  2. You made me think right on the first line of your blog, “if it kills me, so it goes.” I have a job that is killing me, has been doing so for years. I have tried to leave for years, but my boss always made me come back with empty promises … nothing ever changed … I have to go, have to leave this job now. Stagnation is the enemy, it really is. And routine kills me, I hate routine … Am I glad I found your post! I needed to read this!

    1. I have had bosses that kept me around for far too long with empty promises. I might go so far as to say I’m actually still in another situation like that right now. But the bigger factor keeping me from making a big change is the fear of starting a business that 100% relies on ME! But if I don’t take the chance, I know that I’ll be angrier with myself in the long run if I don’t “see whether I’ve got what it takes,” so to speak. I hope you found the inspiration you need to make a positive change in your life and if you need anything, just know you have a community here that supports you! 

  3. Having the possibilities to select the way to go and the things to do in this life is massive and when we have the opportunity to select, we must surely select well. Thank you so much for sharing so much with us.  Taking the chances, risking the possibilities, trying the unknown and taking the risks are the things that makes life interesting and challenging to us as humans. This is massive and I love every bits of this. Thumbs up

    1. Thanks again! I think the risk-taking aspect is always easier said than done for me. But I’m finding it easier and easier to live with faith in my path and to trust that the challenges are set in front of me for good reasons, even if I can’t seem to understand them in the moment! 

  4. One thing I always consider whenever I do some things is how I will be remembered, is it for good or for the bad and boring life I lived? It’s really good to live a life of sweet experience and adventure as it makes it easy for us to relate well and more freely with others. Trying new things and learning more about life is really nice, thanks for this educative article, I’ve learned a lot from it.

    1. You’re very welcome! I have been in the slow process of sharing some of my past writing on this site. I haven’t done a lot of personal writing lately, for several reasons. But the feedback I’ve been getting on what I’ve written in the past is giving me added motivation to put pen to paper on a more regular basis! 

  5. Very heartwarming post you have written here. To be very honest, I really enjoyed reading this because of the fact that it is something that I just spoke to my friend about. I think that in this life, it is very important that people take risks and do things that will make them happy. Touch lives and also enjoy the little moment. Not everyone has options.

    1. Your last sentence sticks with me. And I’m glad you enjoyed this post, sharing honestly hasn’t always been easy for me, so your feedback is very much appreciated! 

  6. Living one’s life without option is a good idea if I am asked. I love your idea of not minding death in the path of what you want to be remembered for. The idea of living with having an impact on a particular thing or living and not having a mark on a particular aspect it life is not good enough. Having a part of life you want to be known for would give you a sense of focus or responsibility. For me, I want to be remembered for showing love to those who need it, the less privileged or physically impaired

  7. This is really great and I bet that not very many set of people are willing to look at their fears in the eyes and face it squarely to do something greater and here, you have really motivated me a lot with all you want to embark on with your life. taking risk is not easy but surely, no one can thrive without taking it. Thanks

    1. Thanks Ramos! I believe that taking meaningful action in our lives requires acceptance of some level of risk. Otherwise, we can give in to our fears and wind up living in a bubble! 

  8. This is a thick skin peeler and as small and concise as this post is, it is really meant for something more greater. Thank you so much for sharing all these with us. For what is worth, Life is bigger than whatever we make out of it. Nobody is willing to take the risks but the few set of people like you who took it up to face their limitations would help them to open more possibilities by taking the bulls by the horn. thanks for sharing this.

  9. If there is anything I want to be remembered for, it is that I read this post and I took a new resolution and a decision to stay atop the things that have been limiting me and take the risk. Life is too short than to procrastinate. whatever we can do to achieve the best, we must do it just the way we are required to do it. This is really great and I hope that I will be able to go higher above the ordinary.

    1. Reading this today put a big smile on my face! I’m glad to have provided a fresh lens and I wish you all the best on your journey! 

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