Captured Thought: A Lasting Legacy

          Recently, I have encountered a thought that I find to be extremely profound. While reading the book Orlando, a fictional biography by Virginia Woolf, an interesting idea was introduced to me. The protagonist was wandering the family sepulchre when he saw that all that was left of his ancestors was a hand, a skull, and other skeletal remains. These men had fought in wars and raised families but all that was left behind were bones. At that point, Orlando realized that he wanted to be remembered for more than his femur and clavicle that would eventually be buried alongside his ancestors. Orlando wanted to leave an astounding legacy through literature that would be recognized until the human race itself died out. The notion of a lasting legacy was imprinted in my thoughts ever since I read that passage. I keep asking myself, what do you want to be remembered for when you're dead and gone?

         I feel like this question had always been lingering in my brain, but I had not given it much thought until I read about Orlando's epiphany. Before, this question took the form of, "What do you want to do as a career when you graduate college?" Now I know that the better inquiry is what legacy or imprint I would like to leave behind. I had always put off the idea of what I would do with the remainder of my life thinking I had a lot of time to contemplate the thought. I mean, I am only fifteen years old, and I have been told that even college students have not figured out what path they would take. But now I realize that attempting to find out exactly what impact I want to make in this world is an extraordinary challenge.

         My goals are different than Orlando's in the fact that I have no interest in creating an "immortal legacy". I do want to impact this world in a way that means a lot to me personally, but I could not care less if I invented a groundbreaking technology or discovered  a new element. Although those would be amazing achievements and I would revel in the fame and fortune that would ensue, I would be perfectly content by impacting this world in a simple and satisfying manner. If I left this world with a grateful and loving family and was respected by my friends and colleagues, I could die a happy old man knowing that my impact was definitely profound. However, the specific legacy that I will leave behind is a complete mystery to me. As I age, I am certain that my priorities and values will evolve. However, with determination and tenacity, life has the tendency to work itself out. I am sure that my legacy will make me proud.

        Nothing but benefits comes from human aspiration to be or create something great. The world will be more beautiful, efficient, and thrilling. Why should the population live life without the incentive to leave any kind of legacy, grand or satisfying? Like Orlando's spark of insight, I hope that this thought captures and ignites the minds of the whole world around me, and people will strive to be remembered for something better than their bones.

-Minho Park