Alisha Week #1 - Otherworldly Perceptions of the Self
Within the past few days, the world lost two major public figures, Tim Curry and Dolly Parton (rest in peace). As the world began to mourn the dearly departed, I noticed an interesting divide in what exactly people mourned about each person. Some focused on their public personas, praising their incredible accolades and connections; some focused on the their integrity as people, praising their contributions and support for minorities. It has made me start to think about how I will be remembered.
There are two main aspects of each of our identities: internal and external. How we view ourselves and how others view us, respectively. Obviously, it is our external identities that dictate our legacies—we can’t exactly tell anybody how we viewed ourselves when we are gone. Yet I remain fascinated by the notion that for every person who ever lived, there is a version of themselves that nobody else knew. A person in their own right that was never appreciated nor mourned when they left. There’s a beauty in the privacy of everybody’s true selves, a small honor gifted to the deceased and a mercy to the already grieving.
I wonder about how these aspects balance each other in one’s life. Is either portion more representative of us than the other? Is it not that the internal is clearly the best representation, since it shows us in the truest form of self—our own perception? Conversely, is it not that the external is the best, as it shows what we did in the world, the impact that becomes our legacy?
I am of the belief that our expressions of ourselves and effects on the world are ultimately more important than our introspection. It doesn’t matter if I yell at the top of my lungs about my hatred of strawberries as long as I eat them happily everyday, nor does it matter if I claim to love butterflies yet conveniently excuse myself whenever I see one. While our self-awareness is crucial, giving us an understanding of our intricate morals and motivations in life, it holds no applicable value in the bigger picture.
When I ultimately pass, I want to be remembered for what I accomplished in people's lives, for our shared sorrows and shared victories as we grew old and closer overtime. I want people to see me as, if not better than, I see myself. But it doesn’t matter what I want. People will reflect on my life with the view of their own perception of me, an identity for myself I never knew existed altogether. All I can hope for is that their perception of me is one of content pride for what I do with my time on this Earth, a fraction of what the world has felt this week for the dearly missed Dolly Parton and Tim Curry.
Hello Alisha! Your blog was very thought provoking, as thinking about how I will be remembered isnt a topic I really like to dwell on. I found your second paragraph to be quite moving, and the choice of words seemed really thoughtful and hooked me to your personal belief. I also agree that what you project into the world is ultimately a true reflection of who you are as a person. People can hide behind a disguise of their ultimately unknowable beliefs, but the world spins based on what you give it, not what you want to give it. Also, I loved the image you chose, I thought it simply looked pleasant and matched with your topic.
ReplyDeleteHi Alisha! I like how you connected the deaths of Dolly Parton and Tim Curry to the bigger question of how we are remembered by others. I found your point about a person having a version of themselves that “nobody else knew” meaningful because it recognizes that everyone has private parts of themselves that would never be appreciated by others. We may have certain qualities, memories, or experiences that feel like a majo part of us, but the people around us may remember completely different things. I agree with your idea that the impact we have on others can ultimately matter more than how we view ourselves, because our actions are what remain with others after we are gone. Your post made me think more seriously about what I would want others to remember about me and how I made the people around me feel.
ReplyDeleteI used to ponder this a lot in the past, wondering about the legacy that I hope to leave behind. Until, like you, I realized that I need to live for myself and allow others to see who I am through the process. It was truly devastating hearing about Dolly Parton’s passing. Although I have not seen many of her films, I have heard about the incredible organizations she is part of, including the Imagination Library. Reading is incredibly vital, especially in our developmental years, and this program helps to dismantle the obstacles preventing children from reading by sending books monthly! I hope to be able to be involved or be able to contribute to a nonprofit as incredible and impactful as hers. I am really glad you touched upon internal and external existence, as I also truly believe that no matter who the person is, nobody besides myself knows everything about me!
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