Every now and again I enjoy having really deep conversations bordering on the verge of uncomfortable. Like a first time skydiver preparing to jump, the adrenaline rush helps remind you that you’re alive. The other day I wrote about why I watch reality television and specifically discussed one of my favorite shows – Deadliest Catch.
This past week’s episode featured the late Captain Phil Harris, who passed away earlier this year during taping of the current season. It’s clear based on everyone’s reaction he was a beloved man amongst all his family,friends, and acquaintances. This was not acting; the puffy red eyes and tears that rolled down their checks were not makeup. This was reality television as hardly shown before. Naturally, it got me thinking…
What do you want your legacy to be? What do you hope people will say about you when you’re no longer around?
During this past week’s episode they aired clips of Phil’s funeral where one person after another got up to share their Phil stories. The the main ‘Crabbers’ (Captain of a crab boat), Phil’s sons, and camera man responsible for filming Phil all the way to the bitter end, sat around reminiscing as they laughed and cried in front of a national audience demonstrating that authenticity and transparency are not just buzz words used in social media circles.
For just a moment, put yourself in that situation. Everyone’s standing around talking about you.
If it happened tomorrow, what do you think they’d say? What would you want them to say?
Have you begun to create a legacy or is that something for down the road? Sure we can always do more; I’m interested in exploring the question right now, in real-time. What, if anything is holding you back from reaching your desired status, for lack of a better term?
The tears didn’t come from just the guys on TV, I noticed my throat get a little tight and mouth dry while watching the last episode. Being a fan for the entire six seasons thus far, I’ve gotten to know the main characters on what seems like an intimate basis through the camera’s powerful storytelling. I’d love to hear your stories and thoughts on legacy, I find it to be a fascinating topic.
