Spike Milligan famously wanted "I told you I was ill" to be written on his gravestone. It's a great final gag and sums up his off-the-wall comedic genius, even if it left his family with a bit of a headache (the local diocese did not approve).
Did you know they had to compromise and eventually had it inscribed in Gaelic instead:
"Dúirt mé leat go raibh mé breoite"
What will it say on your gravestone?
It's a morbid thought, so perhaps a less depressing way of asking the same question might be "how do you want to be remembered?" What will your legacy be?
I love the sentiment that we only truly die when our name passes from the lips of those who follow behind us for the last time. We have a hope that we might do some good before we 'shuffle off' and, just maybe, that is how people will talk about us.
Here's the thing though... you are creating your legacy right now. People 'remember us' when we walk out of the room. When we sign off from a zoom call. When we leave the restaurant. When we vacate a machine for someone in the gym. Our words, actions and attitude leave an impression with every interaction.
Our energy is contagious. There is a beautiful ripple effect of happiness (assuming that is the energy you are sharing) that will pass through three degrees of separation - i.e. someone who meets someone who meets someone who was talking to you will be affected by the energy that you brought into the room.
Let's head back to the restaurant I mentioned above. If you choose not to be polite to your server, they might be a bit more snappy to the kitchen team who, when they get home might have a little less patience for their little one who stayed up late especially for a bedtime story.
That's on you (well, to a small degree but you get the point).
But what if you showed gratitude to your server, who then shared a joke with the kitchen staff, who went home with a smidge more energy and were 'well up for story time' (even though they were coming off the back of an 11-hour shift)?
I was on a masterclass with the exceptional Vinh Giang last week and he shared the following thought:
"Influence people through the generosity of the energy you give them"
Your energy (be it abundant and joyful or scarce and melancholy) is how you will be remembered.
Don't ask yourself "What will it say on your gravestone?" Shine today! Shine brightly before it's too late.
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