What Will My Legacy Be?

Our twilight years can be a time of reflection on the meaning and impact of our lives, a time of thinking about our legacy.

What is a legacy?

Legacy is our lasting impact or influence on our family and friends and ultimately on the world. Legacy is about the richness of your life, including: your cherished memories, career and other accomplishments, values, spirituality.

Legacy is about your uniqueness, what makes you, you, and how your uniqueness left a mark on the world.

Here are some questions to get you thinking about your legacy:

  • What values have guided your decisions throughout your life?
  • What do you want to be remembered for?
  • What brings you the most meaning or fulfillment?
  • What life lessons would you like to pass on to others?
  • If someone were to write your story, what would you want the main themes to be?

Our twilight years can be a time of reflection on the meaning and impact of our lives, a time of thinking about our legacy.

What is a legacy?

Legacy is our lasting impact or influence on our family and friends and ultimately on the world. Legacy is about the richness of your life, including: your cherished memories, career and other accomplishments, values, spirituality.

Legacy is about your uniqueness, what makes you, you, and how your uniqueness left a mark on the world.

Here are some questions to get you thinking about your legacy:

  • What values have guided your decisions throughout your life?
  • What do you want to be remembered for?
  • What brings you the most meaning or fulfillment?
  • What life lessons would you like to pass on to others?
  • If someone were to write your story, what would you want the main themes to be?

“I will not be right back after this message.”

Epitaph on Merv Griffin’s headstone

  • How do you think you’ve influenced the people closest to you?
  • What do you hope your family, friends, or community learn from your life?
  • What role have you played in shaping the lives of others?
  • What are you most proud of in your relationships with others?
  • What accomplishments make you feel most proud?
  • What mark have you left in your profession or community?
  • Have you created something (a project, tradition, or piece of art) that will outlive you?
  • What problems have you helped solve, and what impact did that have?
  • If you could ensure one thing continues after you’re gone, what would it be?
  • What legacy do you hope your children or loved ones will carry forward?
  • How do you want future generations to think about or remember you?
  • What actions can you take now to build the legacy you want?
  • What advice would you give to your younger self, and how can you share it with others?
  • If you knew you had only a year left to live, how would you spend your time?
  • What would you regret not doing if you had the chance?

Don’t be overwhelmed by how many questions I’ve offered you. Just pick two or three to get started with and see where they take you.

Happy reflecting!

Jim Cyr is a trained spiritual companion who helps older adults reflect on the meaning of their lives and how God has been present or absent as they face the challenges of aging and end of life.

Scroll to Top