♦Welcome to another edition of the Open Book Blog Hop!♦
Topic #147
What do you want people to remember about you?
Welcome back to another edition of the Open Book Blog Hop! If you’re new to the series, the authors included are grateful for your reads and appreciate, even more so, when you share our writings with your friends. If you’re new to the series, welcome aboard. The authors engage and impress weekly. Be prepared to become a regular reader.
Photo by Fredy Jacob on Unsplash
The wisest bit of advice I’ve heard in my lifetime was that what other people think of me is none of my business. When I meditated upon those words, I was able to let go of any remaining, needless concerns over what others thought of me. It’s true that, for a good number of us, that the worry of another’s ideas about us matter little the longer we age. But, it is dishonest to say that we don’t care at all. Do we not need to be concerned that our supervisor/boss sees us in a good light, so that work goes smoothly? That our loved ones see us someone that matters to them? There is also our public reputation, or how we would like to be known by others.
No one has convinced me yet that they do not care how they are seen, when everyone puts so much effort into being who they are or who they wish to be believed they are. Everyone.
The things we value have a way of showing in our behaviors. For instance, I value education and I have pursued and continued education throughout my life. I also support funding for schools, and have counseled some young people who I meet, sometimes their parents, about continuing their educations. Aside from being an ardent supporter of young people and their pursuit of happiness, I highly value equity, whether that is gender or ethnicity, or even religious. My politics reflect this, not just my personal life, because I also understand how institutionalized inequality works within law and governance.
I have been this person for many years. Quietly reflective, thoughtful, and caring. That doesn’t suggest I am not passionate enough about those things over which I care to not fight when faced with obstacles. That also does not suggest that I am not prone to explosions of emotion, especially in the political sphere. When something matters, when something strikes me as out of balance, you can bet I am going to be fierce.
Photo by freestocks.org on Unsplash
These things are written in my DNA. I’ve thought about being less caring, less fierce, less passionate about many things, but it makes me sick inside to betray who I am. To change into something less than who I am is repulsive to my being. Even when accepting people in my life as friends or lovers, it is not possible to compromise. Those who are not with me now are absent because of their incompatibility to my ideals. Certainly I do not wish them ill, but I do wish them to remain away from me. In many of these cases, bullying and abuse had made the final separation.
When I am gone, I hope that I am remembered for being just, and therefore trustworthy. I’m already positive my fierceness is known, and well attached to my memory today. I’d also like to be known as someone who isn’t one-dimensional. That I have facets, and each is as interesting as the next. Did you know I can both cook and bake? That I make other art than books? Did you know I’m a mom? Dogs are my world? Or that, I garden?
Remember me for the fierce, just, highly educated writer, and enthusiastic mom.
Let’s hop on over and see how the other authors would like to be remembered…
I’ve found that compromise is good sometimes, as it often brings contentment with the avoidance of conflict.
It depends on what is being compromised over. Human rights…not compromising.
I like your summation. Fierce and just. A good way to be remembered.
Very nice sentiments. After reading Sahar Abdulaziz’s book SECRETS THAT FIND US, I realize the trust is fragile and a very hard thing to consistently maintain, even when gone from the earth. Nice article.
She is an amazing and wise author.