Want To Let Your Fingerprint As A Better Human On The Planet?
Huge impacts with 3 little steps.
Most of us want to live a long life. We don’t like to think about death.
Nobody wants to die. And certainly not soon.
But am I leaving something to the world?
Humans are naturally positive-minded creatures. Above all, we want happiness, health, and a long life. If our basic needs such as food and a roof over our heads are met, we are usually pretty happy and satisfied.
But some of us are concerned with the question “What am I leaving to this world?”
Your legacy to the world
It is the famous question about the higher meaning of life. What is my legacy?
What will I be remembered for when I am gone?
The urge to leave something positive or beautiful in this world is a strong drive.
And it can become a real obsession. Artists in particular are often inspired by the feeling of the immortality of their works.
Be it paintings, sculptures, books, or music.
You can leave a positive mark on the world even if you are not an artist. It’s not that difficult.
The most obvious thing you pass on is your genes.
For many, having children is the realization of their dreams of immortality.
Since Sigmund Freud, we know that we only think about one thing all day long anyway…
So, children are the logical consequence.
But today I want to talk about three other things you can leave behind for the world.
Without having to become the next Picasso or Hemmingway.
1. Save a species
If you’ve been driving for more than 15 years, you probably remember this.
On the highway we stopped regularly to clean the windshield.
Why?
Because insects of all kinds smashed into the glass due to the high speed. Sometimes it even sounded like bullets from rifles. Almost like machine gun bursts!
As a driver, you were automatically a mass murderer!
Today? Hardly any insects. Occasionally a big bug dies on the windshield. But the swarms of the past are no more. Insects are suffering the same fate as most species. They are becoming fewer and fewer.
They’re just annoying insects, you say?
Well, insects are the basis of the food chain for an infinite number of animal species. Birds, fish, and smaller mammals are completely dependent on insects.
If they disappear, this has consequences.
Nature thrives on diversity
The fascinating interplay of plants and animals in nature is based on the principle of biodiversity. The more species that live and depend on each other, the more securely the whole system can function.
If one (for us insignificant) species dies out, this has unforeseen consequences for countless other species in the food chain.
Your contribution to immortality
Countless organizations and NGOs are working to preserve or restore biodiversity. You could help out at a zoo, for example. Or how about green spaces in your city? Or planting on the roofs of bus stops.
You can even help breed rare goats, sheep, or chickens breeds. In Switzerland, the organization “Pro Spezie Rara” is committed to endangered species. And it’s certainly not the only one worldwide…
Of course, I know that not everyone has the time or inclination to take care of such things directly.
But they are a good opportunity to pass something on to future generations. Many organizations are also happy to receive donations so that they can continue to do good.
2. Teach a child a skill
Our ancestors survived not least because they were able to adapt. And had skills that are now threatened with extinction.
Can you cook? I mean really cook. Not using the microwave. Or do you speak a rare language?
Do you know how to repair things? Or build things.
Many children today grow up more or less with a tablet or mobile phone. Apart from chatting quickly and playing games, they often don’t learn much at home.
It has never hurt anyone to know or be able to do something. Every additional skill opens doors and opportunities in life.
But unfortunately, skills are no longer “in” today.
Until you need them…
Teaching someone something new is not only very fulfilling but also important. And a good way to immortalize yourself.
I’m happy and motivated by the thought that a few young people speak German today because of me.
What can you pass on?
Please do it! Before nobody knows how to do it anymore.
3. Plant a garden
As a professional gardener and permaculture designer, I am very familiar with this point.
There is a famous saying: Give a man a fish and he is full today. Teach him to fish and he will never be hungry again.
I would like to rephrase it.
Give a man fresh vegetables and he will eat healthy and be full today.
Teach him to grow a garden and he will be able to feed himself and his family healthy food — today and in the future.
In my articles, I always point out how important our diet is.
The influence of nutrition on our well-being is underestimated. Either unknowingly or simply because it is more convenient.
The fact is, however, that a poorly nourished body cannot function at full speed. And certainly not for many years.
You don’t need a house or a farm
I have been advising people who want a garden for years. Many families want to become “self-sufficient”. However, most of them are not at all aware of what this means in terms of time.
Feeding yourself 100% will take 80% of your time. That’s about 12 hours that people invested in their daily food 100 years ago. Every day!
Very few people today are prepared to devote their working day to eating. If that’s what you want — go for it.
It’s more realistic to start much smaller. And that’s also possible in the city. You can grow vegetables in pots and boxes on a balcony or terrace. This works surprisingly well and with good care, you can cover part of your needs.
Where is the heritage, you ask?
The legacy you leave behind with a garden is manifold.
With a better, more conscious diet, you stay fit for longer. So you can do good for longer. For others and our planet.
In addition, with a garden, you help to maintain or even increase biodiversity. If you want to know more about this, just write me a comment. Maybe I can help you with a few tips.
Final thoughts
Leaving the world after a full 80 to 100 years is a thought that not everyone deals with in the same way. For many, it is a fact that is better not to talk about. Others are relaxed about it. Often because their religion helps them to do so.
Leaving a famous legacy doesn’t always have to be money. Of course, that can also be a goal. But as this article shows, there are other ways to leave a fingerprint.
- Save a species
- Create a garden
- Or teach someone a skill
Living a healthy, fulfilling life AND leaving something behind for posterity?
That’s what I call a perfect home run!
Thank you for reading. If you give my words some claps, others can find it too. And you make my day! :-)
Daniel
Maybe you like my unusual take on explaining the world. Here is another one:
Deserts Are A Bankruptcy Declaration And Climate Change Enhancer
What lies behind sand deserts? A story of ecological disaster. Regeneration is the magic word. Many examples have made…medium.com
Whenever you’re ready I can help you in 4 ways:
Subscribe to the FARMISH Mindset: Join my growing tribe of busy individuals who expect more from Life than endless work overtime and official narratives without sense. 2 times/week I share my thoughts about relevant topics for a fulfilling and purposeful Life.
The Sea Turtle 1:1 Workshop: If you want to know what this “Find your Purpose” thing is, everybody talks about, then this workshop is perfect for you. Having the WHY in your Life is the foundation of your well-being. I’ll help you discover and show you how to use your Purpose.
Connect with me on LinkedIn & Twitter X: Join my fast-growing community and get the chance to ask me anything. I’m happy to help and my readers appreciate the daily valuable posts.