"It is not the length of life, but the depth"
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
My students are currently on the hunt to answer our unit's essential question: "What determines how you will be remembered?" They have pondered and continue to think on the idea of what the true measure of one's life is. In fact, as I write, they are engaged in a search to answer questions they developed about an aspect of legacy, e.g. career, choices, personality, etc. I love what I am seeing in my classroom right now: students collaborating, using technology, answering questions they generated, with music underscoring the whole thing.
The concept of legacy is interesting and mildly daunting to consider. Is my personal legacy tied to my profession one? Do our students see us as who we really are? What will we be remembered for? Will we be remembered?
Ok...getting a little mawkish.
As educators and parents, the resonance of things we say and do at our peaks and valleys can define our legacy. Not every word, every time. However, we can't determine what others hold on to from our existence.
Perhaps instead of worrying so much about if we will be remembered, we should do our part to live a life worth remembering. Are we giving others our best? Are we smiling more often than we frown? Did our words match our actions? Were you good to someone who needed goodness in their life?
Since I am apparently having an Emerson-esque day, here's a final thought:
"Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising up every time we fail." It is never too late to define who you are. Do this and your resilience and humanness will be a part of your legacy.
