Do we need to be remembered?
Those words below were said to me in my last podcast conversation by a bright young woman and it’s been making me think since then.
نرحل و يبقي الأثر
Why do we really have the need to be remembered?
The idea of building a “legacy.”
When you think of it, can you even remember the name of your great great grandparents? Did you ever hear them?
Some might. But most of us wouldn’t.
And that isn’t a bad thing.
That’s just life.
We come and we go.
Our time here is limited.
So instead of stressing ourselves out trying to carve our names in history—where it will get washed away with time anyway—we might instead create things that last.
Things that do not need our names attached to it.
Impact.
This is what continues long after we’re gone.
And impact is formless. It can be anything.
Or anyone.
Impact is people, too.
So whenever you find yourself wondering what you’ll be remembered for—or if you’ll even be remembered in the first place—stop for a second.
And consciously switch the narrative.
Ask yourself:
“What value can I create for people that will live on long after I’m gone without my name plastered right next to it?”
That’s giving without the expectation of taking.
You’ll eventually “take,” but not in this world—in another where it actually matters.
It will be worth the wait.
That’s your أثر - your impact.
Insights
Theodore Roosevelt with words that define not giving up:
“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better.
The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”
Reflection of the week
Simple.
What value are you creating right now?
Not for yourself alone, but for others.
And you can’t find an answer, think ahead because that’s okay too:
What value do I aspire to create for others?
A good read
I read this book about 6 years ago and I loved it back then that I might be giving it another read in 2026.
It’s a very relatable book written by a therapist about undergoing therapy for both her patients’ and her self. It’s not a self-help book per se, it reads like a memoir so it’s quite an easy and cosy read.
I’d give this book a go if you’re looking for a read that’s light but will add actual value into how human (yourself included) we all are.
The on:becoming podcast
You can listen to it above or watch it on YouTube:
If you do check it out on YouTube, I’d love it if you could subscribe and support me there. Thank you ♥️
How can I help?
I also happen to coach people. I learned from one of the world’s best, Robert Ellis.
Would you like to have a coaching conversation? Sometimes all it takes is a 30-minute deep conversation to point you in the right direction. Or give you a little nudge. Maybe you just need someone to hear you out. I’m here for you.
It's funny - Mo Gawdat said the same thing: he doesn't want to be remembered! و يبقى الاثر