Several years ago I started thinking of my own legacy and its value. Thinking about how a family member I never knew experienced torment and chose to not pass it on to their kids, instead acting in the opposing way. The result has been a few generations of family, one raising the next raising the next, to be the sort of people who are naturally averse to the idea of that torment.
I'm a big believer in community and the fact that our impact on the world alone may be small, but when we join together it can grow exponentially. And that's the window I view legacy through. There are things I want to accomplish as a writer and artist, and of course I would like for my ideas to be known far and wide, but if my legacy is only helping those around me to live somewhat less painful lives, to show kindness to them and teach helpful lessons that may be passed on in the future... that's a really good legacy on its own. Because the kindness we show each other can last long after our own passing. It can be passed down through the generations too, built on even. I like that.
