So I recently watched "The Last Dance," the Michael Jordan docuseries about the 1998 Bulls. It really ties in every season he played at with the Bulls, but the focus is the 98 season. I know I am WAY late to the party but I waited until it came out on Netflix. Anyways, it got me thinking about legacy and how people remember you. If you haven't seen the docuseries, go watch it now.
There are a lot of good takeaways from this show in terms of legacy. 1) People will remember you how they want to. MJ was an amazing talent on the court, and the docuseries really takes a look at his obsession with success and winning. And not everyone feels that way, or is created that way. That is fine, but those people often times can't handle that person's energy (and sometimes that person doesn't use their energy in the healthiest of manners). That is why people will remember you the way they want to. Success may affect this to a degree, but not everyone knows the most successful version of you. People meet you at different parts of your life and they will remember that version of you. Growth and change are good, but not everyone grows (and changes) with you.
When people talk about MJ they talk about Chicago Bulls two three peat MJ, not the Washington Wizards version. They talk about the number 23, not the number 45 (I totally forgot that we wore a different number when he first came back until seeing this). What people know you for is what they will remembered you for.
2) Everyone is human / No one knows your whole story, nor do they need to. I had no idea that Michael Jordan was so close to his family, especially his father, or that he was close with the security guys at the United Center. However, I didn't need to know that to know that MJ was a winner and an amazing basketball player. However, you see a much more human side when you do. Seeing Jordan break down after winning the first championship after his father passed is powerful (especially having just lost my father in March). Everyone is human, and it is alright to be.
There is plenty more to take away from watching the series, but those are the main points that have been on my mind. Keep growing my friends, and let the legacy you want to leave guide your way. Go watch "The Last Dance" too. You won't regret it.
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