I thought hit me the other day that I didn’t realize until recently. It’s a bit weird and morbid, but it’s about my legacy. What is my legacy going to be? I don’t have any kids; my bloodline ends with me.
No children means no legacy?
People think something’s wrong with you if you’re not having kids. You’re not passing down your DNA, and it feels like you are failing some imaginary test because of it.
Does having children mean that you have a great legacy? And if you don’t have children, does that mean your legacy dies, or is there another metric to gauge it?
Some fathers have a ton of kids and don’t take care of them — they are deadbeat dads. They don’t see their kids, and they leave behind children who have a lot of animosity because their dad wasn’t involved.
What does ‘legacy’ mean?
So what does legacy mean? Does it mean that your bloodline continues? I honestly don’t care about that part. So what are we leaving as a lasting impact?
I’ve been fortunate to have my YouTube channel. I could impart lessons that I would have given my son and represent my legacy. I didn’t spend my time raising children, but I did create better lives, people who feel better about themselves, and motivation for people to become better. When I think of my legacy in that capacity, it’s monstrous.
When I think about the lasting impression that I’ve left on society, namely, young men, I feel amazing about that. I’m fortunate to have had the opportunity to talk to men over the years and to have relationships that allow me to share important information. My DNA might die, but I’ve been able to make a positive impact on the world.
Making a positive impact create a legacy
I hope that every one of you does something incredible, and if you decide your life doesn’t involve children, it doesn’t mean that you don’t have an impactful life or leave a lasting legacy.
If you positively impact others, whether they acknowledge it or not, you are part of them. Whatever they do, you are a piece of that success and story. You are a piece of their legacy. That said, I want to thank you for being in my life and for allowing me to share some of my insights.
