A friend of Forward Inheritance sent us a BBC article by Molly Gorman titled “What will people remember about you after you die? Thinking about your legacy now could be good for you” The fascinating elements for me included the research, the today impact of thinking about tomorrow, and giving people the space to plan how they wish.
"Everyone leaves a legacy, whether you know it or not," says Beth Hunter, an expert in legacy in the context of cancer survivorship. And it isn’t just the passing down of wealth or assets, but the biological legacy (our genetics), the material legacy (our things), and the values legacy (our beliefs). Inheritance is not just about the money, it’s about the legacy.
“While leaving a legacy may feel more urgent for older adults who feel the pressing nature of limited time, some scholars argue the drive to leave one can – and maybe should – begin earlier in life. And a growing body of research suggests that better understanding our innate human interest in passing something on to future generations after we die could reveal new ways to improve mental health.”
The biological legacy has to do with our ancestors and our Next Generation, but what about being an organ donor? The material legacy has to do with the things we’ve accumulated, but what about a clear plan to determine where those assets go during the estate process? The values legacy has to do with teaching the Next Generation and Neighbors how to get through the day head held high, but what about a secure place to store the family stories and memories?
“Several participants described leaving a legacy of values as a "tangible gift", while one said the process "reminds you of what you've survived, what obstacles you've faced, how you face them, and what philosophies helped you face them".”
We can help Mom and Dan and Grandma and Grandpa by showing them how we are planning for our Next Generation. “The benefit, these researchers suggest, is two-fold: it offers humans a sense of motivation and meaning when we are alive, and "symbolic immortality" when we die – extending ourselves into the future, even if we are not physically there.” Let’s help our families move forward…