Legacy…
Often in stories and movies there is a strong theme of someone striving to leave some sort of legacy, as if to somehow immortalise their name.
When I was in my 20’s I spent some time doing habitat-management which entailed repositioning of roads which traversed sensitive soils, the rehabilitation of the old roads, as well as bush- encroachment and other. One of the erosion control projects we pursued, was to build rock-filled wire gabions in erosion gullies to stop its advancement.
Besides being committed to doing the environmentally right thing, my ego rather liked the idea of leaving behind these beacons of moral or ethical virtue.
Over subsequent years of maturation, the fear of fading into obscurity and not being remembered, is an aspect-of-being, which I have come to mostly overcome.
It strikes me as conceited to feel that you have anything worthy of passing on to future generations. It seems outright arrogant and void of humility.
Fast forward twenty-three years to 2018.
Returning to the same reserve on a recent safari, we approached one of the locations where I remember evidence of my “legacy” would be plainly visible for all to see...and suddenly I wasn’t so dispassionate anymore!
Anticipation had me sitting on the edge of my seat...and rounding the turn, I held my breath!
As was clearly evident, no amount of sincerity or ethical intention nor careful planning and execution were of any consequence to the ultimate destructive force of flowing water.
The entire purpose of the structure was negated and we found a few more ineffectual remains to add insult to injury.
Initial shock and crushing disappointment was immediately followed by a comedic, yet profound, re-realisation that vesting emotional significance in the longevity of past achievements is to render one vulnerable to tumult and possible cynicism.
I am not confirming the futility of efforts to address issues we truly believe in.
I am rather stating that we should commit to actively pursuing that which is morally correct in our current perspective, and once achieved...letting go. Clinging to a conjured illusion of grandeur is a risky dependence on very shaky foundations and will (when crumbling) impede our ability to wholeheartedly commit to the next worthy pursuit.
Yours in awareness