Midnight Thoughts on Legacy: Do I Want to Be Remembered, or Just Happy(Peaceful)?
Legacy is a nonsense concept; You won’t be around!
- Naval Ravikant
I could not agree more. Naval’s words resonate with me on a deep level — especially at a time when my beliefs and priorities are shifting. Today, I am not convinced that chasing an abstract legacy is the best reason to work hard or to build a “great” life. Instead, I am embracing a simpler, more immediate truth: survival and peace are what matter most. And in that peace, there is a profound kind of happiness.
The Primacy of Survival and the Gift of Life
At its core, life is about surviving — ensuring that we live, breathe, and continue to exist. For me, that is not a mere biological imperative but a sacred duty. As someone of Christian proclivity, I believe that God, who is above all and in all, has granted us life as a precious gift. To perpetuate life, to nurture and grow it, is an act of worship. It is the purest form of gratitude one can express. If we live in a way that honours this gift — by taking care of our bodies, minds, and souls — then we are, in essence, living a legacy in itself.
Legacy: An Ephemeral Abstract
Many people believe that building a legacy is the ultimate goal — leaving behind something magnificent for our children or for the world. But when I reflect on it, legacy feels like a moving target. Time changes everything. What seems like a monumental achievement today might be irrelevant tomorrow. Naval reminds us that our physical presence is fleeting; we will eventually be gone. So why invest all our energy into a concept that is, by nature, abstract and uncertain?
Legacy, I have come to see it, is a variable dependent on time — a by-product of the good life we build, not the primary destination. It is like trying to secure a stamp on a letter you will never read again. Rather than chasing this elusive prize, I choose to focus on what I can control right now.
Embracing the Present: Building Peace and Happiness Today
The most efficient — and fulfilling — approach is to build a beautiful, peaceful present. Instead of sacrificing today’s urgency for an imagined tomorrow, I prefer to concentrate on the here and now. I want to fill each moment with intention, cultivating a state of inner peace that makes every day worthwhile.
Take, for example, a commuter bus I once rode in. The driver, exhausted from days without sleep, was driven solely by the need to earn money — a legacy, perhaps, of financial security. But what did that mean for his well-being? He was sacrificing his health and peace for an ephemeral promise of tomorrow. In contrast, imagine if we all prioritized our present well-being — our physical health, our mental clarity, and our spiritual calm. By doing so, we not only live better today but also create an environment where a natural legacy unfolds.
Legacy for Our Children: Teaching Mindfulness Over Material Inheritance
For many, the idea of building a legacy is tied to ensuring that their children have a good life even after they are gone. And while that is a noble goal, it should not be the driving force behind our actions. Instead, I believe the true legacy we can leave is teaching our children how to live — how to cherish the present, to be mindful, and to find joy and peace in each moment.
Imagine a legacy where your children inherit not just material wealth but also a deep, abiding sense of inner peace. They learn that happiness is not something to be postponed until a future where you are remembered; it is something to be cultivated every day. In this way, the legacy is not an external monument or achievement but the living, breathing continuation of a good, mindful life.
A Life of Purpose: The Byproduct of Living Peacefully
In the grand scheme, what really matters is how we live right now. By focusing on survival, on caring for our health, and on cultivating inner peace, we build a foundation for a happy life. That happiness — rich in gratitude, mindfulness, and presence — inevitably shapes the lives of those around us. In teaching our children and enriching our relationships, we create a legacy that is not a forced monument to our greatness but a natural extension of a life well-lived.
After all, as I remind myself every day, the future is an idea — an abstract possibility. Our only certainty is the present moment. So why live for an ethereal concept when you can create beauty, joy, and peace right here, right now?
In Conclusion
Naval Ravikant’s blunt assertion — that legacy is a nonsensical concept — is not a call to nihilism. Rather, it’s a reminder to prioritize what is truly important. I choose to be happy by being present, by honouring the life that God has given me, and by nurturing the peace that allows my children and loved ones to thrive. Let your legacy be the good life you create every day — one that radiates mindfulness, gratitude, and genuine happiness.
Focus on today. Embrace your survival and find your inner peace. In doing so, you naturally pass on the greatest gift to those who come after you: the art of living well.
