The Living Dead
There isn’t a day that goes by where I am not somehow reminded of someone who has walked before me. These people may be family members or friends that have died or they may be the purveyors of technologies or some other knowledge whose wisdom still holds a place in the modern world.
Living History
From the Templar’s banking systems to Edison’s electricity and Tesla’s wonder of traveling sound, major contributions by historical figures abound, but what of those that are even closer in time?
What is the legacy you have been left with?
Are Pieces of Me, Pieces of You?
There have been many people who have left traces of their uniqueness behind by way of how they’ve influenced me; from what and how I cook to the music I listen to and beyond.
Much of what we do is learned and we learn it from somewhere.
For instance, as much as I hate when people compare me to my mother, there are things I do because she did them; there are ways that I do things, because that is the way she did them; like the very precise way in which I fold towels.
I Write
My father writes. You wouldn’t know of any of his work because he has never really tried to publish, but he writes and he does it well.
Am I a writer because my father writes?
I Draw
My aunt was a semi-known artist who had pieces hanging in a couple of museums. She was a phenomenal painter.
Am I an artist because my aunt was an artist?
I Sing
My uncles had a band throughout my childhood. I grew-up on a stage.
Do I sing because my uncles sang?
The Big Question for 1000 Alex…
The bigger question inside of these questions is this…
Did I inherent these things by way of genetics?
Or, did I inherit these things by way of mere osmosis from being steeped in them during my formative years?
Are these cumulative traits, talents and qualities — these things that make-up who I am, are they growing inside of me or have they just grown on me, like folding towels?
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DAY #13 OF NaBloPoMo, BlogHer, yeah write and NanoPoblano …
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Cheri Speak 
loved this post. Came over from BlogHer thinking it would be one thing, and you surprised me (delightfully!) with something entirely different. I am an amateur genealogist, so I have often asked myself these same questions. I wonder about the great-great grandparent I have never know, but whose blood and genetics make up 1/16 of who I am… then I wonder in 100 years, who will be wondering the same about me, and how much I will actually contribute to the person that they are… heavy stuff!
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Thank you SO much Kim. Not only do I appreciate the read and the comment, the comment itself is awesome. Yes, heavy stuff and yes, I understand genetics do play a role, but environment has to play an equal role..maybe even a more prominent role. I would be curious about any studies you have done regarding Rh- blood types…?
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Outside or inside, no need to choose – it’s both. No need to worry about immortality, either. We are living proof, for all the reasons you so eloquently stated. Nice post.
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Thank you Mikels. Yes, I know there is no need to choose however, that doesn’t stop me from wondering :p
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This is lovely post, really made me think, thank you..
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Thank YOU. I appreciate you taking the time to read my words as well as step-up and comment on them. This topic was heavy on my mind last night.
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You are welcome, I think genuine commenting it really important. I thrive on it as a writer, in a non-egotistical way (ok you got me I have an ego)
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I do not know a single “artist” who does not have some sort of ego! I think comments or “likes” etc tends to reinforce that and when we don’t get them, we wonder if we did it right or wth is wrong with everyone else LOL.
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I agree, I verge on an existential crisis, every post I make, why does no one like me LOL . It’s particularly bad, when you think a piece is some of your best work and you send it out into the world with a lot of apprehension 🙂 The themes in your post are so interesting, I was thinking and talking about this very thing last night..
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I was just cheer-leading another blogger earlier and here is what I commented to her: “I love to read posts that either “teach” me something or make me really think. Posts that humble me along with their writer are always going to be the best in MY book. That being said, I can totally commiserate. When I write heavy stuff, life changing or enlightening topics rife with research and sources etc…they get the LEAST views/reads than when I post something that is basically asinine. because I worked in media for more than 20-years I get it. I hate it, but I get it. Technology has completely changed how we engage in and process information. Think about, Twitter gives us a whopping 140 characters in which to catch a potential readers attention. Why? Because sadly, the internet has TAUGHT us that’s all we need in order to know everything there is to know. Do you have any idea how many people will hit “like” or “share” on something just because they either thought the title/headline was of their mind or because someone they know passed it on to them or “liked” or “shared” it first. It wasn’t always this way. It has evolved to be this way. Fifteen-years ago, in media, we called it a “microwave society”, meaning people wanted it faster or even “right now” and didn’t want to wait. Fast forward to now, and they don’t have to wait for anything. It sucks. In fact, for me as a professional writer, it double sucks, because as much as I love to hold a book in my hand, smell the paper and turn real pages…the trend is more and more toward electronic reading. I would bet real money that those who read on Kindles etc actually read differently now than they did before such devices were invented. NEVER get discouraged because you and your words will ALWAYS reach SOMEONE. In a lyric from an old Harry Chapin song called, Life Uncommon — that was later covered by Jewel, ‘We are tired, we are weary, but we aren’t worn out…'”
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This is great, very inspiring, thank you. So very true, it’s also really important to love what you are doing and want to create because you are compelled to, that for me is the point. it is ultimately good to get paid from time to time but that shouldn’t be the reason..
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I totally agree. I gave up “corporate America” aka mainstream media a couple years ago because I was NOT happy and NOT loving what I did after 20-years. Well, I loved what ‘I’ did, but I didn’t love or even like the “politics” involved in media conglomerates. Now, my kids are grown and gone so I don’t need to rake in a lot of money and that little nugget of knowledge opened the door for me to dive head first in my real love, which is writing.
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That’s awesome, it’s pretty cool that technology allows us to chat from across the waves! I have met so many great people in the blogging world, thanks for sharing 🙂
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I love that – it has really made me think about what I have from those who went before. 🙂
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Last night I was RE-folding towels my step-father had folded, because he didn’t do it “right”…then I had to acknowledge there isn’t really a right or wrong way to fold towels. I am not an OCD person in the slightest (in fact i am the complete opposite) so it made me think about WHY my way was the right way to fold towels…and it went from there. Thank you so much for reading and for the lovely comment.
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Thank you for the re-blog too! 🙂
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Absolutely! If you haven’t jumped on board Blogger for peace you can find a little more info here: https://bloggers4peace.wordpress.com/about/ … it’s a great blog link-up all for promoting peace.
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Reminds me a little of when my baby sister (“YOUNGER”) would get annoyed when it was said she and I looked alike. I got the point of just shrugging, because we are biological sisters, we should look alike. However, as far as talents, etc., I don’t know anyone in my family that did the things that I do. My father is in the industrial technology industry (I always say seals and gaskets). While I like the steampunk style, you’re not going to catch me asking him for any in depth explanation. I do say certain things and I do have mannerisms and behaviors, that despite my best attempts, eke out. One of my aunts lost weight decades ago, and I found myself on a weight-loss journey as well, though not as profound (as far as pounds lost). Hubby has often (OFTEN) wondered aloud how I came to be when I am so different from my family.
Overall, very interesting…thanks for sharing, Cheri!
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