In the latter days of a person's life, one tends to look back at the accomplishments he or she has done. It's like looking back at a timeline of events, for each of us has somehow and in some way made an impact in someone's life. Whether it be good or whether it be bad, it is an impact nonetheless. One may not consciously know the impact that one is making on others, for it's an impact that will leave an impressionable mark for years to come. It's the things that may or may not seem relevant that determines the legacy a person leaves behind.
People spend much of their lives trying to make a name for themselves and try to build up his or her ego in the process. Every person, whether they want to admit it or not, has an ego and sometimes our egos can get too big for our own good. One has to have an ego, for it's that ego that brings each of us confidence to take life head on. If one didn't have an ego, every person would be the same and that would be just too boring. Sometimes there has to be a limit, if one goes overboard so to speak, then one's own reputation, name, and legacy can be tarnished.
Throughout history there have been many names that have left behind a legacy, a legacy some may have tarnished their reputations and their name. Richard Nixon left behind a legacy in which he was known for Watergate and resigning as President of the United States. O.J. Simpson's legacy will not focus on his great football career, but rather the double murders that he was found not guilty for, a sentence that I highly disagreed with. President Clinton's legacy will be remembered for only one thing and that is the Monica Lewinsky scandal.
It's the legacy that one leaves behind that has some people questioning the person's ethics and moral standing. Each of us have our own standards of ethics that determine what we stand for and stand against. We have our own individuality that people tend to either hate, like, love, or tolerate. It's that individuality and uniqueness that people will or will not remember years from now when that person passes on into the afterlife. I ask you this, Pete Rose's legacy will be remembered for gambling on baseball. Even though he confessed, should he be inducted into the hall of fame?
Several people such as Ronald Reagan, Bob Hope, Ray Charles, and just recently Marlon Brando left a legacy that was either inspiring and/or influential. Ronald Reagen left a legacy that made any person proud to call themselves an American. Bob Hope left a legacy of smiles and laughter to so many people. Ray Charles brought music to the world that left us waiting for more. Marlon Brando left a legacy that was influential to many aspiring actors to this day. In the end, when it is all said and done, what legacy will you leave behind?
No comments:
Post a Comment