Creating Your Legacy

Last night Alicia and I watched the movie Troy and I got to thinking about a line that Brad Pitt's character Achilles said.

Essentially, a young boy had been sent to retrieve Achilles and bring him to fight a man that could only be described as giant. The boy was obviously fearful of the large man and said he would not want to fight if it was him. Achilles simply said, "that is why no one will remember your name".

This strikes me on a deep level. Basically what he is saying is that if we are not willing to let go of our fears and push forward with creating our legacies we will not be remembered. In other words, we don't give people a reason to remember our names when we let our fear of failure take control of our lives.

In our current society a normal man does not leave a legacy by being the best warrior any more. That is left to the military strategists and Presidents. War however is messy and most men would rather not be remembered for leaving a trail of death and destruction these days.

A man in the 21st Century leaves his legacy by being the best he can be at work and play. Many men will have different opinions on what it actually means to be successful and leave a lasting legacy but to me a successful man with a rich legacy is one that does his best to provide for his family, is well respected in his community and can honestly say he has lived his life with dignity and respect for others.

In the film Achilles is offered a choice of lives by his mother. She says he can find a wife, have kids and settle down leading a long fulfilling life and having no one through history remember his name; or he can go to war and die early winning battles that reward himself with fame and glory. His name will then be one that will last through the ages. He chooses the latter and is consequently talked about even to this day, albeit as the antagonist in the story of the Trojan War.

I believe the first choice of lives is the more manly choice. By being a man and having responsibilities you will leave a lasting mark on those around you, particularly your wife and children. They will be shaped by your character and will strive to live up to your example. Teaching your children the values you have will ensure they will pass them along to future generations and will provide a light for others to carry. Something you started will live on through the ages and will be of better benefit to society than a selfish warrior.

Too many males these days will pick the warrior option, although not as literal warriors. These males will be selfish, demanding of others, and longing for true results without the work to get them. Living a hedonistic life that serves only them will ensure they die without being remembered. They will be too filled with fear that will prevent them from going against the flow of modern life and being true men. They will be forever boys trapped in a man's body just longing for release.