Thursday, May 31, 2012

If I am remembered...

As I look at the words in this blog, as I read the pages on my journal and look at the art I try to create everyday, I wonder. I wonder how will future generations look at us. 70, 100 or even a 1,000 years down the road, will the anthropologists, historians, and scholars of the future look at us as the civilization that destroyed the world or will they look at us as the civilization that prevented famine, diseases, and the destruction of our environment? Will they look back in time from a beautiful blue planet or will they look back in time from a dark and polluted city, as the ones I see in the sci-fi movies?
I wonder if my language will survive the test of time or it will be hieroglyphs to be deciphered. Will "they"- whoever they are- read my journals and wonder what kind of person I was? Will "they" look at our plastic surgery trend as a rite of passage or will they look at it as mutilation, just as we look at the golden lilies of Chinese women from the 19th and early 20th century? Will "they" look at my journals or the words in this blog as a statement of who we were? And if they do, what kind of message do I want to pass along?

If my words ever survive time, I want them to be a record of my good deeds. If I am not remembered at all, I still want to leave the testimony that I can rise above our differences, that I can be kind, neighborly, and most of all forgiving. I do not want fame, I do not want recognition, what I really want is to know that I made a difference in someone's life. 

23 comments:

Kathryn Zbrzezny said...

You've already made a difference in mine. I can only imagine the impact you must have on those around you. I do like this painting very much, too! (is your Blog photo, your wedding day picture?) it's gorgeous! How long have you been married, if you dont mind me asking...

Annette said...

Thanks for the comment about our Libby. So glad you found me because I have now found you. We are suppose to cross paths in life I do belive. xo

A wondering star said...

Very beautiful pictures!
In the silence work creativity!
Thanks for sharing

Å olanje na domu-Waldorf said...

That's a wonderful legacy. I think we'll be remembered as the ones that made the shift and saved the earth. :) And there are way too many books about the languages to ever be forgotten. And...who doesn't love reading other people's diaries. :))) That will never change. I love your butterfly painting!

Plowing Through Life (Martha) said...

Beautiful post! I'd like to think that we will be remembered for our good deeds. I certainly hope that's how it turns out. And like you, I don't want fame or recognition. Making a difference in someone's life would be an accomplishment enough for me.

S said...

Beautiful write up ! And the painting is so beautiful,so soulful.
Ana, you are leaving a wonderful legacy to the future generation...they will look back and love you. I wish each one of us create such a legacy which will inspire and motivate the future generation and give peace to their soul. If history has to be made { and we are history in the making } and if the future generation want to look back to the history of ours to draw some inspiration then we should be aware of this...that it is our responsibility to leave a better world to them, without violence and war, and with love and peace and creativity.
love and hugs,
Sanghamitra

June said...

Truly inspiring and uplifting words for all of us to spend time consdering and reflecting on. Beautiful painting, as well. Thanks so much for further brightening my Friday, and for providing me with an inspiring start to the weekend.

Arkansas Patti said...

I do believe in the butterfly effect so you can be sure you made a difference. Often the differences we make, we are unaware of but we started the shift just by being here and moving through life, touching those we come in contact with positively or negatively. Always being the best person we can be can't help but make that effect positive.

Denise Mulligan said...

Deeply heartfelt and moving post. You have a great gift of expression both in the written word and in your art. You will be remembered. I hope we all are remembered for being that generation of people who returned a dying planet, to it's true nature. I thank you for you words today, much to ponder on here.
Denni

Anonymous said...

Your words beautiful and thoughtful, your painting...stunning. (I love you use of color, BTW)
It was funny that someone metioned the butterfly effect when I was thinking the very same thing
Sometimes, I think about people will think of my old journals sometimes. Hmmm.

Almost Precious said...

Very interesting with very profound thoughts !

Indeed what will the future say about the civilization of the 21st century ? Will we be viewed as homely caterpillars or seen as magnificent butterflies ? Who can say ? Only time will tell. ;)

cookievf said...

What a delicious painting and lovely, profound thoughts to contemplate. Thank you.
~ vicki, now an official follower!

Jane said...

Great post! It's a most intriguing question and one I've never considered. What kind of legacy are we leaving? Your painting is lovely :)

Jenny said...

Beautiful post Ana... very thought provoking... and GORGEOUS art... your blog is wonderful...

Hugs
Jenny x

Unknown said...

Truly beautiful post...and truly beautiful art.

Ducky said...

What an awesome legacy to leave. Mine will be a hidden stash of used tissues behind my bed I fear.

I love the symbolism and beauty surrounding the butterfly. If it wasn't so cliche, I would probably have one inked on :O)

Hope you're having a wonderful weekend!

Laura said...

beautiful post. we all make a difference....you made me consider thoughts I'd not addressed in a while...so you have fostered change in me, just writing these words and sharing your lovely butterfly.

may you know that you, we are all blessings with each connection we make.

Unknown said...

Your butterfly journal page is just beautiful and your passion shows through. Enjoyed this very thoughtful post. More of us need to ask those questions and lead lives that will create bright tomorrows for those to come.

Shaharoh said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Shaharoh said...

hen I was in college studying English, we always studied the historical events that surrounded a writer and how it affected what they wrote. In this day and age, I admit, I feel overwhelmed. I feel like everything is everywhere and there are no secrets and no mystique behind people or events. Information is so easy to come by so it takes more to amaze or provoke someone. I think of my grandchildren and great-grandchildren and do wonder if they'll read my journals/blog and what they will think about me and this world. Sometimes I read about the 2100s on Wikipedia and the predictions and it saddens me to think that the earth might not be able to house everyone.

However on a more positive note, like you beautifully stated--we can be preserved through helping or inspiring just one. I think you've already succeeded, my friend.

Sherri B. said...

If they look at your blog and art, they will be touched at the sensitivity and caring that people of our time were capable of amidst the strife and destruction...as always, you have lovely thoughts that make me ponder!

Zena said...

Beautiful page and truly inspiring post...

Anonymous said...

If you like, you can e mail me, it's on my page. I am a little shy, hence my comment here. I guess you will see it. :)