The Search for Meaning and Legacy

The rapid pace of change and dissolution of traditional institutions has once again brought the question of meaning to the forefront of many individuals who want to live a life of significance. For some that significance has a spiritual texture for others it has a more commercial texture and for many the primary texture is creative. That is, to bring into being something that would not exist without my unique and individual creative efforts.

Regardless of the specifics, significant disruptive events often beget a reflective pause. Sometimes a cold slap to the face is needed to wake one from the living dream of going through the motions. I too, live a typical life. I need to pay the bills and work regularly to meet those obligations. My life flies by a week at a time.

For two decades now, I have pursued wisdom and legacy. I have done this in the face of illness, divorce, job loss as well the successes. I have drawn heavily from reading and research which I will discuss in more detail later.

Twenty years ago, I had the privilege of working as a consultant for three top executives at the sunset of their careers. As their pending retirements approached these three leaders sought to leave a legacy and reassure themselves that the fifty years of working had had meaning.

About six years later I had developed a framework for creating legacy. A brief discussion of this framework follows:
1) Vision: Actively work to clarify and then choose a creative focal point for your life.
2) Spiritual Path: Reaffirm your values in daily life.
3) Financial Independence: Develop the financial resources to fund your own life over time.
4) Appropriate use of Technology: Use technology to solve problems and connect you to others who can assist you in creating your vision.
5) Learning Skills: Develop your own learning skills so you may teach yourself things that no one can show you.

The framework above is much simpler than the work you choose take upon yourself when you choose to create a purposeful legacy.

Joseph Campbell used to point out the hero path in both its universal and unique aspects and in many ways, the legacy choice is a similar path. As Campbell pointed out; when the Holy Grail appeared to the knights of the round table, the knights collectively made a decision to take upon the Grail quest. Yet when the knights left the round table and entered the woods, they each entered at a different place as they each had to follow their own unique path to the Grail.