Improving for future generations
Most people spend their lives being dutiful descendants instead of remarkable ancestors. Each generation has the choice to aim to please their predecessors or improve things for their offspring. Many people who were the most positive influences on humanity did not blindly follow in their parent's footsteps.
In the words of Japanese poet, Matsuo Basho: "Do not seek to follow in the footsteps of the old. Seek what they sought."
You can strive to make previous generations proud, or endeavor to make the world better for the next.?