Category: Legacy

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How we can learn from our ancestors

Landscape with heart

As autumn deepens and festivals like the Day of the Dead invite us to remember those who came before us, it’s a perfect time to reflect on both our past and our future. Many cultures use this season to honour their ancestors, acknowledging the ways in which their lives continue to shape our present. But there’s another question we might ask as we light candles and tell stories: what legacy are we creating for those who come after us?

Remembering with Purpose

Traditions like the Day of the Dead are not just about remembering the past; they are about keeping alive the values, lessons, and spirit of those who have come before us. In many Indigenous cultures, this connection to ancestors is also linked to the future, particularly through the Seventh Generation Principle. This idea, rooted in Haudenosaunee Confederacy teachings, reminds us that the decisions we make today should benefit not just ourselves, but the seventh generation that comes after us—about 140 years into the future.

In reflecting on our ancestors, we see that their struggles, joys, and values laid the groundwork for the world we live in today. We are the living continuation of their legacy. As we honour them, we also inherit the responsibility to shape the world for future generations. What we choose to do in our lives—how we live, love, and contribute—echoes forward, influencing people we will never meet.

Living Your Legacy Now

The idea of living with the seventh generation in mind encourages us to think long-term about our impact. What values do we want to pass on? How do we want to be remembered? And how can we ensure that our actions today help create a better world for those who will live 100 or more years from now?

Legacy is not just about personal memory or fame—it’s about the lasting influence we have on the world around us. Whether it’s the kindness we show, the ideas we share, or the systems we contribute to, our choices have far-reaching consequences. The Seventh Generation Principle reminds us that our lives are part of a much bigger story.

Learning from the Past to Build the Future

Looking to the past offers us lessons for the future. Just as we remember our ancestors’ resilience, creativity, and compassion, we can carry those qualities forward in the way we live. Their legacies serve as a reminder that we, too, are writing history through our daily actions. What will future generations remember about us? How can we honour the best of what came before while forging a path that reflects our own values?

This season of remembrance invites us not only to reflect on those who shaped our present, but to ask: how can we shape the future? By thinking about the seventh generation, we take a long view of life, one that acknowledges the interconnections between past, present, and future.

As we honour those who came before, let’s also consider the responsibility we have to those who will come after. What legacy do you want to leave, and how can you start living it today?

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How Honouring the Past Shapes the Future – Legacy and Remembrance

Young girl with pumpkin lanterns

As the autumn season settles in and the days grow shorter, many cultures around the world turn their attention to the themes of reflection, legacy and remembrance. Festivals like Halloween, All Souls’ Day, and the Day of the Dead invite us to reflect not only on those who have come before us, but also on our own place in the ongoing story of life. This time of year serves as a poignant reminder that while our lives are finite, our actions and choices echo forward, shaping the future in ways we may never fully see.

In this blog series, we’ll explore the deep connections between remembrance and legacy. We will look to the past—learning from the lessons of those who came before us—and consider how their legacies continue to influence us today. But just as importantly, we’ll reflect on the future: what legacy are we creating, and how can we live with greater intention, knowing that our actions today will impact generations to come?

Exploring Themes of Mortality, Legacy, and Long-Term Impact

Throughout October, we will delve into the cultural and personal significance of acknowledging mortality, legacy, and the long-term impact of our lives. Each week, we’ll explore different facets of these themes:

  1. Honouring Life and Legacy Through Mortality: We’ll begin by looking at how cultural traditions like Halloween and the Day of the Dead help us confront mortality and celebrate life at the same time. These festivals offer profound insights into living with the end in mind, prompting us to ask: what kind of legacy are we creating? How do we want to be remembered?
  2. The Power of Remembrance in Shaping the Future: Next, we’ll explore how remembering our ancestors connects us to the future through the Seventh Generation Principle, a powerful concept rooted in Indigenous wisdom. By considering how our actions today will affect people 140 years into the future, we gain a broader perspective on legacy, one that transcends our immediate concerns​
  3. The Good Ancestor by Roman Krznaric: Finally, we’ll reflect on Roman Krznaric’s inspiring book The Good Ancestor, which encourages us to take a long-term view of our lives and legacy. Krznaric challenges us to think about how we can become “good ancestors” by making choices that will benefit not just the present but future generations, aligning our daily actions with a larger, enduring vision.

Living with the Future in Mind

At the heart of this series is the idea that our legacy extends far beyond the immediate impact of our lives. By reflecting on what we want our future contribution to be—whether in our personal lives, communities, or the wider world—we gain clarity about what truly matters. These posts will guide you through the process of thinking about your own legacy, not in a distant or abstract way, but in terms of the choices you make every day.

As we embark on this journey together, I invite you to reflect deeply, not only on your personal story but on the larger story we are all a part of. Our lives are intertwined with those who came before us, and they will continue to ripple forward long after we are gone. This October, let’s embrace the opportunity to live with purpose, knowing that we have the power to shape the future.

Stay tuned for the weekly posts, and I look forward to journeying with you through this season of reflection and legacy.