Inertia — Nº172

Leave things a little better than you found them

By Europeana

Carve your name on hearts, not tombstones. A legacy is etched into the minds of others and the stories they share about you.

― Shannon Alder

In life’s tapestry, we’re both an artist and a thread, weaving our stories into the fabric of the world and the minds we meet.

I use this week’s title as a call to action, a gentle reminder that the world needs our power to create positive change, no matter how small. Imagine for a moment that every person you meet has a garden, and each garden connects and has firm roots in the world where it belongs. Some gardens are vibrant and thriving, others are wilting or neglected. As you pass through each one—when you meet new people for the first time—you have a choice: to trample carelessly, to observe passively, or to nurture actively. By leaving each one a little better than you find it, you never know how far your kindness can carry and take someone.

This is about legacy. Small, often overlooked actions that ripple outward, creating waves that extend far beyond your reach. A quick but sincere compliment, a moment of undivided attention, a helping hand offered without expectation of return—these are seeds of betterment you may plant in the gardens of others.

Growing up, I inadvertently did precisely this: I’d bring energy to my family when many things were at their lowest. I’d light up a room because it was fun to see people happy, nothing more. I slowly lost my way as time coasted on, and negativity became something I noticed. But writing reminded me how important it is to keep this quality on you, like your favourite jewellery you refuse to take off.

The world needs more positivity and selflessness. In an age of increasing disconnection and division, making someone’s day a little brighter can be revolutionary. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the magnitude of global challenges—with our level of exposure to it in the news; it’s also easy to carry heavier mental burdens than we need to—but by focusing on our immediate sphere of influence, we can add towards a collective uplift that changes our world incrementally.

Compound interest applies to kindness and social responsibility. This approach also enriches our own experience. In adding value to other’s lives, we often find ourselves filled with purpose and satisfaction. It creates a virtuous cycle where the good we put out comes back to us in unexpected ways. I’m yet to be shown otherwise.

In the end, life is about being remembered—not for what accumulated, but for how we made others feel. Legacy lies in the lives we’ve brightened, the spirits we’ve lifted, and the positive changes we’ve set in motion and left behind.