What I’m curious about is how YOU want to be remembered. What type of lasting impressions do you want to leave? What will your legacy be? How will others know that you too were here?

For some, their legacy is fulfilled with their children and their families. For others, there is the hope to do something profound, to find fame as an artist, mathematician, scientist, inventor, or movie star. Inherently, and for whatever the reason, everyone desires to make some sort of a lasting, meaningful impression to record the simple fact “they” too, were here. For me, the legacy I hope to leave is tied to character and characterized as self-esteem; as to each, the path we know as life manipulates the manner and circumstance of our deeds. It allows most an overabundant opportunity to chance accomplishments on an unfathomable scale. I for one believe that the moral and ethical quality of those deeds is more worthy a testament to one’s life than the deed itself.

Today, we reside in the age of technological miracles, which avails us a huge assortment of ways to confirm our existence. Technology allows us a sagacious, almost effortless method of preserving and corroborating the fact that we too once walked the earth; and it does so in a manner far more astute than ancient hieroglyphics or hardened remains. In this day and age comes numerous scientific and industrial advances and each of them are at our disposal. They make possible, a simple and almost effortless template to corroborate and obtain eternal recognition. When you feel the need to “let it out,” whether it’s a pet peeve, a moment of giddiness, whimsicality or wit, or perhaps your spirit has been escalated by a thought, dream, or some other pleasantry that so fills you emotionally you think you’re going to burst…share it! In this way, for as long as memory exists, you will be a part of that recollection. In moments of solitude, at family gatherings, when today adds itself to the memoirs of unique yesterdays and tomorrow becomes today, the tangible proofs of your being will be renewed.

YOU, as a person are a special individual, a singular, one of a kind human being who is and always will be in a constant state of growth and learning. As such, you will, no doubt make errors in judgment (everybody does) and you have to accept that about yourself. The beauty and truth of life can aptly be credited in one word to ‘fate’. Fate can deal you a different hand at anytime. Whether you’re flying high above the clouds on a sudden blast of benevolent wind or burrowing in the extreme depths of life’s abyss; learn from the experience… list the event in the journal of your past and then move on.

Memories accumulate consistently with the passing of time. They, being our greatest treasures, are well protected, documented, and carefully stored in a vault hidden somewhere within the vast chasm of self. In the confines of our minds, our past life dwells. Here, love and laughter deserve precedence to everything else for they are “keys” that unlock the way to happiness and lead us to contentment in life. Then at our leisure, on special occasions, or whenever there is a need, we can draw upon that warehouse of what was to replenish warmth and goodness once more.

Wherever we may travel, regardless of how far, this house of treasure lies quietly, awaiting our call. Its inventory constantly increasing as it blends the old with the new. It’s there for us to build on, to encourage our growth, and to remind us who we are. A distinctive characteristic of memories is the knowledge that with every tomorrow, we will be adding more. Sharing…one of the greater joys in life positively enforces every treasured moment by compounding its worth. Sharing can even make painful experiences bearable…allowing us to heal. Through “sharing” we can boast, inform, make jest, educate, signify, or merely pass the time. Whatever the circumstance or situation, there is no better way to document the fact that “we are here for a purpose and yes,” it does matter.

by : Paul Ciccone, Jr.