(Distinctions are subtleties of language that, when gotten, cause a shift in a belief, behavior, value or attitude.)


There are many ways to describe and define Living. This Distinction is illuminating two of them – Living to Live vs. Living to be Remembered.

Feels good to imagine being remembered – in a positive light. Plenty of bad folks have left their marks. Or scars. Being remembered well is an understandable desire.

Needing to be remembered is different. True, it sells many elaborate tombstones. Provides names for many new hospital wings. Helps build stadiums for sports events. Many useful outcomes spin off from a person’s neediness to be remembered.

The issue with this is that looking to get a sense of self by what the outer world thinks of you, trying to fill a perceived hole in your inner self, or believing that you must ‘make a difference’ or you will have failed, all cost more than you may want to pay. The outside can’t continuously nourish you without it costing you dearly.

Instead, try living to Live. Fully, richly, joyously, delightfully Live! Right where you are, right now. Not measured on someone else’s scale. Not measured at all, just Lived!

A lot of evidence shows that a byproduct of living well now also results in being remembered well later.


Coaching Point: How are you doing with this ‘Living to Live’ thing?


Copyright 2024 Steve Straus. All rights reserved.