Even at the age of 30 I’m beginning to realize some things about life. As I sit here living in this small town, my life routine uneventful, but necessary, I begin to see a glimpse of reality — I am forgotten by the many, remembered by the few.
But maybe the real way to see it is that I was never really remembered, only relevant for things at particular times. You see no one remembers, or cares to remember, that I used to be this great math whiz at school, this genius kid in advanced classes, this exceptional athlete, or that I skipped more school than almost everyone else.
Sure, when friends and family get together and talk about the past it gets mentioned, but it’s no longer the center of focus for anyone, now that I don’t go to school (or don’t go to school) anymore.
I don’t even receive any recognition whatsoever for my virtual achievements online, even in video games where I was ranked #1 in the world in a video game called Warcraft 2 for 3 months straight, not even from the people who still play that game online. Poof, I never existed, and the best players of today are the only ones that matter now. In fact, if I am remembered I was “never” as good as todays players.
Isn’t this what life is about?
Recognition, by someone, other than yourself for your achievements. We want to do something that affects the lives of others, we want to help people, and we want to share those experiences with those we love. The last time I woke up and had my girlfriend tell me, “Hey, I’m glad that you were #1 in that video game, you really saved lives.” never happens and probably never will.
So everything that I was and everything that I am has not impacted enough lives to receive any recognition after I stopped doing those things, they are all personal achievements of mine for my own self-interest.
No one remembers that I could throw a wicked curve ball. No one remembers that I was soldier of the cycle in the US Army or that I was medically discharged, except those I tell or have a reason to ask why.
Even recently very few remember that I once made a lot of money, travelled wherever I wanted, worked from home, drove fancy cars, or lived in fancy houses, no — being in the top 2% income earners just isn’t something relevant anymore.
None of those things really impacted anyones lives. Sure I was generous to homeless people, left big tips when I ate out, and took friends and family on vacation — maybe all forgotten now at this point.
But it’s not just me people forget and it’s not just that they forget. It’s not the role of others to remember such things or to tell such stories. Some people write autobiographies, but those too, are soon forgotten. In this day and age, as in every age, relevancy and impact are all that matter.
Think of how many Hall of Fame professional athletes are forgotten, sure some people remember Michael Jordan, but soon he’ll just be some legend like Babe Ruth that is rarely mentioned, best of the best or not. Think of all the other players not quite as good as Michael Jordan, but legends of their time, that are all but forgotten.
While most of them are forgotten for their talent, their records, or their personal achievements, many of them have charities, foundations, and community service that they will be remembered by more than anything else.
That championship winning 3 pointer at the buzzer 20 years ago…forgotten. The charity work you put in where you forever changed the lives of someone in need, not forgotten. You see there’s always going to be another championship game and another spectacular play. But you can’t take away the impact you had on someones life when you pursued non personal achievements.
When I was a kid, and even still today, there were and are people I come across that will tell me things about their past. Things about their war experience, maybe that they were good looking or popular, maybe that they made a ton of money or had a lot of fancy things, maybe that they accomplished something so great it was unbelievable. Many of these things, had they just happened recently, would be a big deal.
And I looked at these people and where they were now, maybe some guy claiming he used to be rich living in a Van down by the river, maybe some fat man that can hardly move that claimed he was a professional athlete — I look at them and think, “yeah right you’re full of shit.”
They become even more full of shit when they claim they’ve done something you’ve done or they were better than you were at something you’re good at — you look at them, “yeah sure, not possible, hardly anyone is as good as me.”
As good as you are or as good as you got, remember, someday you will be forgotten. You will be that old man, that fat man, that poor person — the epitome of the forgotten. You’ll reach out and say when I was your age I did it better, faster, and had more success — and they will laugh at you, “crazy old man”.
What if the people we discredit because of our ego and our judgements are telling the truth?
I came to the realization that I am forgotten, largely because I forget, like so many others. The only thing that matters is who am I now, what I have now, but more importantly, what can I do tomorrow?
How will who I am now, what I have now, and what I can do tomorrow impact the lives of others?
In the unbecoming of your greatest achievements, you will always be forgotten. The olympic swimmer that no longer swims, the millionaire that has only pennies, the writer that no longer writes, the doctor that no longer practices, the teacher that no longer teaches, the father or mother whose kids have left the house, and the list goes on.
In the unbecoming of what made you remembered, you will be forgotten, and remembered only by your modern day presence in this world, and by, your potential for the future. If you have no current presence and no future potential, you will never be remembered again for anything other than what you are right now.
Personal achievements are great, but no matter how good you are, you will be forgotten. So find a way to help others achieve their best.
And never stop being the best that you can be.
Excellent read!! Just recently I have been thinking this exact subject. This is why I have told my wife I would like to be buried at the state veterans cemetery, since I am a veteran. There at least I would like to think that my grave site will be maintained. After a couple generations nobody will come by my site.
Excellent read!! Just recently I have been thinking this exact subject. This is why I have told my wife I would like to be buried at the state veterans cemetery, since I am a veteran. There at least I would like to think that my grave site will be maintained. After a couple generations nobody will come by my site.
How very true. I think about all the pictures taken. Who is really going to look at them when you are gone? Your children? And when your children are gone? So why take pictures? What are we trying to preserve? As Mike points out, who will come to see your grave after a generation or so? We and all we have done are eventually and all too quickly, are lost to time after we are gone.
How very true. I think about all the pictures taken. Who is really going to look at them when you are gone? Your children? And when your children are gone? So why take pictures? What are we trying to preserve? As Mike points out, who will come to see your grave after a generation or so? We and all we have done are eventually and all too quickly, are lost to time after we are gone.
Great read and very true. As I get older, now into my 50’s, I realize that after I am gone probably only my children will remember me. I will enjoy the rest of this life and let every generation after me enjoy theirs.