Prince Thomas Abi Jr|11 April 2016|7:15am
I have seen and heard about prominent members of the society dying across the globe and what immediately gets into my mind is did they leave a sustainable legacy? Did they write their names in the hearts of humans? We must understand that we are practically pencils in the hands of the creator. As humans we must work towards putting smiles on the faces of others. For a good name is better than silver and gold.
Life is all about impacting on your generation. Life is all about ameliorating the sufferings of your (others) people, the most vulnerable and the downtrodden in the society. Our daily life should be focused on how we can change the ills in the society. And not how we can extort, loot and siphon from others.
As humans, what will you be remembered for? Will you be remembered as a thief, a cheat, a liar, an arm robber, or a rogue. No! Every moment we spend on Earth should be a moment of deep and critical thinking. A time of brainstorming on how we can change the world positively.
Many great leaders never had mansions or skyscrapers. They never had luxurious cars but what they had was their kind hearts. They spoke for humanity, fought for the freedom of mankind and worked towards making a difference during their life time.
Taking a critical look at Martin Luther King Jr., he fought for the freedom of the black negroes in America. He was a clergy man who used his oratory power to free Black's in America. He was a spokeman of the black people in America and today the race he fought for has produced President Barack Obama as the first black man to rule America. His idea has freed so many from racism, attacks, discrimination and all forms of sectionalization and marginalisation in America.
Mother Theresa was a mother of all. She was a kind woman. Who was never tired of giving. She was a known for her motherly love and warmness for humanity. And today, she is remembered across the globe for her good deeds.
My friend, what will you be remembered for? Look deep, think beyond the frivolity of life for everyman has a gift that is needed in his society. You can be that person that will change your society. And protect the rights of your people.
What kind of legacy will you leave? Will it be lasting? Will it be imperishable and eternal? Or you are only working towards leaving money, cars, houses, and material possession?
I remember growing up as a young boy, there were houses that I used to admire so much. Those houses were very beautiful, but as I grew older, those houses had ran out of shape, design and standard. There had lost their value and worth. So why not invest in the people around you? Why not write your name in the hearts of men? Why not be a person of love and compassion? Why not use your God giving talent and gifts to promote the society? Why not use your career to fix the ills in the society?
Mankind must begin to look beyond the present and focus on the future. You must learn to look at the future. You must learn to think about the long term and not the short term. If you have the capacity to build an industry, why not build one in order to create jobs instead of living in a world of fantasy. A life that is just for the ephemeral. A life of self deceit. William Cullen Bryant once said the greatest sustainability of wealth is the empowerment of the younger generation. So, why not work with time having it in mind that your good deeds are for eternity.
Take a practical look at the rich people around you when you were growing up, their children are either in hardship or struggling to survive. But if you empower people I do believe that one of those you affected positively will remember your family in times of need.
My friend, you are never too young or old to begin to add value to the society. The society needs you, the society needs me. You mustn't be rich to help someone. You can use your talents, intelligence, resources and time towards making your society a better place for all.
Be a person of content and character and not an individual fuelled by discord, contempt, hate, bitterness for fellow humans , tribe, religion or gender.
Leave a legacy today. The society needs you and I.
Prince Thomas Abi Jr.
Is a Public Affairs Analyst/Social Commentator
