I want to be remembered for...

​So I’ve been thinking….
What kind of life would you live if you knew there was a 50% chance you would get an incurable, deteriorating, deadly disease in your mid-life?
I am not trying to be morbid here. I  often think about the legacy that I am leaving behind. One of my early assignments in my writing class is to have my students write their eulogy. (Since it aligns with a story they read, it doesn’t seem nearly as morse as it sounds now.)
I must explain to my students that the image you think you are putting forth may not be what others are receiving. But with that said, what do they hope people will remember them for? I get some thoughtful responses like. “I want to be remembered as a good mom” or “I hope people will think I was kind.” I also get answers like,” I want to change the world” or “I will be the catalyst for world peace.” These are much loftier goals but appreciated nonetheless. The purpose here, I tell them afterward, is that once you put words to your desires, they become your focal point for your dreams. Kinda like,” If you believe it, you can achieve it.”
So back to my original question. I see people falling into two particular categories: the wallowers who enjoy sharing their woes and complaining to anyone who will listen. These same people drag themselves out of bed each day and carry their trauma on your back, so much so that they have begun to hunch by the weight of their troubles.
The other group (the one I like to think I am a part of) sees each day as a gift. They are the people who dance barefoot in the rain (or a sprinkler). They are the same people who find the time to extend kindness to another. How is it that the people with the most life stress are the same people that smile and try to ease the pain of others?
Today, I want you to think about which category you fall into. And if it’s not the one you can write about in your eulogy, maybe it’s time for a change.