The way to never die

One of my goals is to live on, forever. What do you think? Well, you and I know that it is naturally improbable to never die. Yet, I have seen many people who lived several centuries ago but are still living on. The memories we have of them keep them alive. They are dead but alive. They are gone but are always here. You know some of them – people like Nelson Mandela, Abraham Lincoln, Albert Einstein, Michael Jackson, Mahatma Gandhi, etc. History remembers them for one of two things or both: who they were and/or what they did.

If you and I will not be forgotten, we need to do work that will not be forgotten. One thing I have observed is that a person’s name is generally inseparable from their work. Your work will give power to your name. You don’t need to be a royal prince, a governor, the pope or even Cinderella. More importantly, you do not need to come from a popular family, have a noble antecedent or be born in America. It doesn’t matter what your background is, your work will give power to your name. If you do work that cannot be forgotten, your name will be remembered forever. Some people think they can make their name live on through their physical offsprings. While that may be true for a few generations, what really counts in the impact that anyone makes while they are here.
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One may say, but it is not possible for all of us to make names like those mentioned above. Yes, you are right. However, each person’s work is unique to them. Everyone makes an impact based on their own ability. What is important is that we do work that is worth remembering, work that makes memories of good things in the hearts of others. Every simple act matters. Every contribution matters. Everything we say matters. Our work matters. The way to never die is to do that for which others will keep remembering us even when we have departed from this material world.

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Actions for the week:

1. Think about the life you have lived up till this moment. Do you think the world will remember you because of that? Why or why not?
2. In your mind, construct the way you will want to be remembered when you are gone. Write down what you can do now toward being remembered that way.
3. Spend time reflecting on your work and deeds. What adjustments can you make for better impacts. Go ahead and make those adjustments.

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A quote to remember:
“What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.” – Nelson Mandela

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Until another time,
Dele Ola, Award-Winning Author of Be A Change Agent
​Click HERE to learn about and get copies of Dele’s Books