How do you want to be remembered?

It’s a sad day today, as the world mourns the loss of actor Matthew Perry. Best known for playing Chandler Bing on Friends, he leaves behind a legacy much longer than the series’ 10 year run. But this post isn’t really about Matthew Perry. It’s about how he wanted to be remembered and the power in voicing that truth while we are still alive.

Telling others how we want to be remembered is so much more than the answer to a question. It’s a declaration about how we want to spend our time and live our lives. If you want to be remembered as someone who gave all their time to saving the whales, you are going to spend your time trying to save the whales. Answering the question, “how do you want to be remembered?” gives us a chance to let each other and ourselves know what is most important to us.

While answering this question gives us the opportunity to dream big and brag on ourselves, it also is a reminder that one day, we won’t be here anymore. That’s not an easy thing to think about most days. But voicing how we want to be remembered tomorrow is the first step in determining how we want to live today. And that is one of the most important gifts we can give to ourselves.

“I want to be remembered as some who tried.”

So, how do I want to be remembered? I thought about putting together a long and eloquent answer but I think my initial, gut response is the most authentic. I want to be remembered as someone who tried. Someone who didn’t give up, failed over and over, but kept trying. And someone who reminded others that all they have to do is try.

I was curious to hear how other people would answer this question, so I posted it on my Instagram story. Here are some of the responses I received.

“As someone who was kind.”

“As a kind person who enjoyed life.”

“That I was there when someone needed it the most.”

“As the person who made a positive impact on people’s lives.”

“I never gave up on myself or anyone else.”

As the world collectively tries to figure out how to mourn the loss of Matthew Perry, we already know where to start. He told us he wants to be remembered as someone who lived well, loved well, was a seeker, and wanted to help people. That’s a happy gift we can give to him on this sad day.

xoxo

PS: I would love to hear how you would answer this question in the comments!