Legends often become part of lore. The one good thing about this is that they are remembered. Just as storms, earthquakes and calamities are remembered. But the working class is usually forgotten. In India, the working class comprises 54% of the population. Now imagine all of them being forgotten.
Scientifically, people are born, they grow old and they die. No spirits, no reincarnation, nothing. Then, how do we live after we die? Most of us would be “forgotten” a hundred years from now. We are forgotten because we have not made an impact.
Paint a piece of metal and see what happens. After years, the paint will wear off, and then one day, it will seem as though it was never painted. Forgotten. But now, make a big dent on a piece of metal. It will stay there, no matter how much you try to undo it, it will stay there, forever. Like a legend.
Have you heard the song, ‘Legends Never Die’? What does it mean? It obviously does not mean that people who are legends live forever. Physically, everyone dies. But legends’ souls live through the words they’ve written, forever.
Einstein. He existed 150 years ago, and we still talk about him. Didn’t he accomplish the purpose of living? I mean, what is the purpose of living if you are just going to be forgotten after a hundred years or maybe less?
We are born, we grow old and then we die. But what if, what if we can live even after dying. Through people’s hearts, their minds, through words. We could live forever. Then why not live forever? Then why not do something that keeps us in people’s memory? Then why not make a dent on metal rather than paint it?
You know, death does not scare me, but being forgotten really does. We still remember the ancient kings and queens, don’t we? We don’t remember them because they were rich, but because they made a difference. Rich people can be forgotten. Because being rich does not ensure your placement in everybody’s memory. Then why don’t we set the goal of our life to be remembered for at least 50 more years than we are most likely to? Make that your goal for 2022. To make a difference that matters.
REFLECTION: Making a Mark
Write a short note on what you would do to ensure you are never forgotten.
