The Life Puzzles Series: Last Piece!

What a journey we have been on in the last twelve weeks to answer unanswered questions and find some of the missing pieces in life puzzles! Last week, in the piece titled The Masked Addiction, we explored the subject of happiness. And the cost we incur when the desire for individual pleasure overrides the collective need for joy. Toward the end, I stated that I often ponder how the things I enjoy doing impact others. Said differently, I wonder what my footprint is. Specifically, what impression do I leave in the lives of others? And what effect do I have physically, emotionally, mentally, and psychologically? By others, I am referring to those who are here while I am and those who will be on earth when I am long gone.

Will they remember me?

From childhood, I wondered: What is life about? What is the impact of my living, and what am I leaving behind?
At those times, my thoughts flowed like this: Today, I am eight years old. Next year, I will be nine years old. – What would I say I did when I was eight? When I leave this school and go to the next, will anyone remember me? Or, when I leave this country, will I ever see these friends again, and will they remember me? Will they think about me during recess as they eat those syrupy lollipops my mom warned me not to eat? Such thoughts preoccupied my mind frequently.

From them, I wrote poems to my future husband, letters to my future self, and both to my Creator. At that time, two words described my life: hope and fearlessness. I had enormous dreams and believed worthy dreams always come true. Such propensities led many to say I was an old soul of a different sort. – Like one who lived during an earlier time yet was presently living before her time. It seems I am an enigma! However, at some point, my outlook began to change. When exactly, I do not know.

When things changed

With time and age, I realized that every dream does not come true – at least not when we want it to! Also, disappointment is real and hurts. Then, I began to pay attention to how others lived. I routinely observed that many hearts and minds were not flowing with the same current as mine. I.e., The path of idealism, where one has worthy dreams, sets audacious goals, and pursues them valiantly! Instead, their lives seemed tame and safe. – Like adults in full body armor racing in bumper cars at 5 miles per hour with guardrails. Thinking that was the best route, I followed suit! Later, I realized every day on that unadventurous path bestowed me an extra ounce of self-protective, non-idealistic, and unfulfilled living. However, I was convinced it was what one should do and stayed on the ride!

Strapped in, I muted my personal life and poured everything into the professional bucket. I took every work assignment. I responded to emails at all hours, sunup to sundown. To me, the only valid excuse for not being available to work was that I was working. – Constantly pursuing but never knowing what. And tirelessly seeking impact without knowing why.

Discovering footprints

Over time, as I observed seasoned professionals, it seemed the most accomplished had one thing in common. – They had mastered how to play the game! This realization was heartbreaking! It led me to wonder: Is this it? Is life just a game? Is that what truly matters? By the way, what is this game? I guess I better figure out what it is and how to play it! The game turned out to be a rat race!

During the rat race, I learned that such living is replete with activity and a semblance of impact that could not fulfill me. Also, it demands a numbing, not an awakening. In all, it is the path of mindless living. – A misleading route where individual happiness is prioritized over collective joy. Once I realized this, with tears rolling down my cheeks, I screamed yes, finally! I know my remit: Love. Learn. Give. Soon after, I called this realization la Bella Fortuna because being conscious of our footprints and having clarity on our way forward is a beautiful fortune. – One that is more precious than diamonds and more costly than gold.

The impact of living

Today, I don’t dream of getting awards, making it to the top of lists, or being acknowledged by others. I dream about inspiring others to lead authentic, worthwhile, fulfilled lives. I dream about contributing to the well-being of future generations. I dream about co-creating and living an impactful life with my future life partner. And like I did when I was eight, I dream fearlessly, with reckless abandon. Along the way, I laugh a lot, cry unashamedly, grow boundlessly, help as I can, receive the good that comes my way, share what I have to offer, and give what I have to give. By so doing, I make a worthy impact today that extends into the future.

We all have footprints. Our footprints are the impact we make and what we leave behind. Some say graveyards are the wealthiest places on earth because many dreams and unmet futures are deep in the ground. While this message might sound morbid, it serves as a cautionary tale and word of encouragement for us who are still here.
Friend, amidst the demands and busyness of life, here is a question worth pondering: how am I impacting others? – Those who are here and those who are yet to come.

What lies ahead

As we all know, all good things must come to an end and make way for even better things. At this time, we will close the chapter called The Life Puzzles series. Thank you for being a part of it. Next week, we will explore something new!
In the meantime, if you are in the United States, as you know, tomorrow is election day. It is a powerful day. But it is not about a piece of paper. It is about a right that is not available to all. Voting is a right that enables one to be seen and heard. – The choice to use your voice or become a victim. By casting a vote or not, we make a deep footprint that will impact many today and in the future.

Stay safe and be well!

For you and to you,
Aké

Image credit: Pixabay | Olichel