The Right to be Remembered

I was in the sauna today listening to an interesting Radiolab Podcast named, “The Right to be Forgotten”. The subject matter was interesting - it was about people who had done one dumb, public thing that wound up in the news and/or online. That singular act is now preventing those people from living a normal life long after the deed was done and the discussion was around the merit (or lack there of) of removing it from the news, Google, etc.

It’s pretty humbling how fragile a reputation and persona can be. One single negative act can influence the rest of your life. That got me thinking about the concept of the “Right to be Remembered”, or legacy. Sure people can get noticed for one strike of fortune - maybe being in the right place at the right time or a strike of creativity that goes viral - but legacy is different. 

It’s not a singular act, it’s a lifetime and a body of work that is wrought by discipline, curitosity, fearlessness, creativity, and action. All of these traits individually are admirable and useful in the right circumstances. They can also be destructive when not utilized appropriately. So, people who achieve the right to be remembered also must balance themselves correctly and insightfully. What I love about this idea is that the conditions have to be perfect but the individual is also in control. 

When it comes to discipline, someone who is developing a legacy is instilling useful habits and avoiding distractions that lead them off their path or goal. They also are curious enough to recognize a learning opportunity even if it means risking their ego to ask or learn about it. They need to be unafraid of taking risks and failing so that they can learn from their mistakes and improve. They need the creativity to solve problems in ways that may have never been thought of before. Finally, they need to act to do all of the above. 

This is just my opinion and I am by no means a legend - so take from this what you will - but if someone else can do it, I can do it. You can do it. Anyone can do it. 

There is a letter from Martha Graham to her friend Agnes De Ville that has always resonated with me and centered me that reads:

“There is a vitality, a life force, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all time, this expression is unique.

And If you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and be lost. The world will not have it. It is not your business to determine how good it is, nor how valuable it is, nor how it compares with other expressions.

It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly to keep the channel open. You do not even have to believe in yourself or your work. You have to keep open and aware directly to the urges that motivate YOU.

Keep the channel open… No artist is pleased...

There is no satisfaction whatever at anytime - there is only a queer, divine dissatisfaction a blessed unrest that keeps us marching and makes "us" MORE alive than the others.”

Maybe you’re struggling to decide what you want to do or maybe you feel like you life is moving in the wrong direction personally or professionally or maybe you feel like you’ve peaked. That’s ok. Take a step back, re-evaluate and try implementing some of the principles above (I would start with discipline, but that’s just me). If you want something better though, it starts today. Not tomorrow, not next week, not a New Years Resolution - today. Now.

No one is going to do it for you. You have to do it. 

This idea came to me at a time I needed some inspiration and I hope it inspires you too. Let’s do things perform acts, build things, and inspire people in a way that we can be proud of. It’s up to you to earn your right to be remembered. Go get it.

#dipyobread