Don’t Just Expire: Make a Difference

It is not an exaggeration to say that all humans fear death. No matter how strong we seem, there’s something about the thought of death that shakes us. We know it is inevitable, and everyone must answer it one day. Once death comes knocking, there is no medicine, no escape. Yet, even though we all know this truth, no one ever truly prepares for it. We live as if we have all the time in the world, even when our hair turns grey and our bones begin to weaken. Some people even fear old age itself because they believe it is a reminder that death is near.

For me, it is not old age that I fear but senility at that stage when one loses control of the mind and begins to depend on others for almost everything. I fear that helplessness, that loss of self, which can make a person begin to crave death as a form of relief. But whether we like it or not, death will come one day. The question is not when we will die but how we will be remembered when we do.

Think about it for a moment, how many of us remember our great-grandfathers or great-grandmothers? Very few. Their names may have faded from our memories because they left no visible mark on the world. But when we hear names like Thomas Edison, the inventor of the electric bulb, or the Wright brothers who created the first aeroplane, we remember them instantly. Why? Because they didn’t just live to make a living; they lived to make a difference.

If you live only for yourself, your memory will die shortly after you do. Only your close family might remember you. But if you live for others, if you invest your time, knowledge, and love into people, your legacy will last far beyond your years. The truth is, it is not the amount of money you have or the level of your education that defines your worth. What truly matters is the positive impact you make in the lives of others.

You don’t need to be a governor, president, or CEO before you can influence lives. You can touch people right where you are, in your workplace, in your family, or in your community. Add value to people. Encourage them. Teach them something meaningful. Be a light that brightens someone’s path. I remembered a boss of mine who said that the reason why we were where today in African is that everybody want to be a leader, whereas they are already leading where they are.

When you finally leave this world, don’t go without a “will.” I’m not talking about properties, houses, or cars because those things fade or get misused. The real “will” you should leave behind is the one you build inside people, the wisdom, kindness, and inspiration you share. That is the kind of property that never loses value.

So, don’t just expire making a living; strive to expire, making a difference. Let your life be a message that outlives your body. Let people speak your name with gratitude long after you are gone. In the end, it is not how long we live that counts, but how well we touch the lives of others while we are here.