December 9th, Monday - right after finalizing my duties, replying to all the emails, following up with work & correspondences, I am giving a humble attempt to untangle a knot. A question that we have all face in multiple stages of our lives.
Usually, Decembers in Baku are lacking sunshine. It was raining almost all night and I woke up to a grey city today. I kept the balcony door slightly open this night. Occasionally, I tend to do that. I like falling asleep under crisp & chilled duvet. It takes to that fine-tuned deep sleep. Not only that, waking up to a room which almost has the same temperature as outside is another blessing. The “Wim Hof” in me gets satisfied with that risky game.
Today I woke up at 6 am, fully recharged and as advised did not touch any technology for the first 20 minutes of my awake time. However, I was so tempting to do so. My screen time lately has skyrocketed. Do not get me wrong it was already bad, now it has gotten worse. Matter of fact, today I did not want to reach out to the iPhone straightaway. Because, I saw a very vivid dream tonight. Of which, I wanted to take note of. Nonetheless, that is a topic for another day and a totally different realm.
Today, I want to tackle the meaning and purpose behind the word legacy. I want to understand the power behind it. I desire to unravel the reasons behind why so many great men have given so many sacrifices to legitimize their future legacy. People like Alexander The Great, Marcus Aurelius, Mahatma Ghandi, Winston Churchill, Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King Jr & countless athletes were obsessed with their future legacy. What did they know that we don’t?
These individuals made sacrifices that transcended their personal lives, contributing to lasting legacies that continue to shape societies and inspire generations. Their stories exemplify the profound impact of commitment, courage, and the pursuit of justice, grit, excellence & equality.
24 hours ago I was chatting with a friend named Faun. We were discussing Mike Tyson and his recent boxing match with Youtube personality turned boxer - Jake Paul. Let me reshuffle a bit, and explain what was it all about, before I move on.
Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson was a professional boxing match between YouTuber-turned-professional boxer Jake Paul and former undisputed heavyweight world champion Mike Tyson. The bout took place on November 15, 2024, at the AT&T Stadium in Texas, and was streamed globally on Netflix, with 65 million people watching the event live. Paul defeated Tyson via unanimous decision. Moreover, it was first boxing match ever to be aired live on Netflix. Reports indicate that the undisclosed fight purse was about 80 million USD. However, it is estimated both of them made more than that with sponsorships, ticket sales, streaming rights and etc.
Now, let’s segway back to the story. My friend Faun was outlining how sad it was to watch Tyson, a 58 year old man was getting beaten by Jake Paul in front of millions of people. By “sad” Faun meant that, it was a huge dent in Tyson’s legacy. To which I replied; “Have you seen his interview on legacy? I think with the amount of money he made as senior citizen & his stance on legacy - Mike considers himself a winner, he does not care about legacy or your view on his legacy”.
It was actually a very funny interview, because for some reason Mike decides to unleash his verbal “beast mode” towards a 14 year old girl. Check out his gaze at her when he replies, he was locked in with his wrath in his eyes. Here is the link check it out for yourself.
During the interview, Mike is asked about his legacy & what it means to him. Mike replies with the following;
“It means absolutely nothing to me. I’m just passing through. I’mma die, and it’s going to be over. Who cares about legacy after that? I’mma die, I want people to think, “I was this, I’m great…” No, we’re nothing. We’re just dead. We’re dust. We’re absolutely nothing. Our legacy is nothing. Can you really imagine someone saying, “I want my legacy to be this way”—you’re dead! Why do you wanna, do you think anyone really wants to think about you? What’s the audacity, I think, “I want people to think about me when I’m gone.” Who the fuck cares about me when I’m gone? My kids, maybe, or grandkids. Who the fuck cares?”
His reply & the cold look in his eyes gave a many viewers chills. It made me think deeper, especially after the exchange between me and Faun. At this point, I would like to take a bit deeper dive into the topic of - Legacy. Buckle up boys and girls.
As all self taught writers do, I would like to kick off with a definition. Let’s answer the question of - What does the word legacy mean?
The "legacy" refers to something that is handed down or left behind by a person, typically after they pass away. It encompasses the impact, memories, values, achievements, or possessions that endure beyond an individual's life. Legacy can have various dimensions, such as:
Personal Legacy: The influence one has on family, friends, and community, including relationships and personal values.
Cultural Legacy: Contributions to art, literature, science, or societal norms that shape a culture or community.
Social Legacy: Initiatives or charities established to support causes and create positive change.
Professional Legacy: Achievements or innovations within a career that may inspire future generations.
In essence, a legacy reflects what someone stands for, the positive or negative influences they may have had, and what they wish to be remembered for.
Now that we have paved the way with the official definition of it, let’s have a look at it from different prisms & angles.
First stop, is The Bible - it addresses the concept of legacy in various contexts, often emphasizing the importance of passing down values, wisdom, and faith to future generations. Here are some key themes related to legacy found in scripture:
Passing Down Faith: Deuteronomy 6:6-7: "These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up."
This passage highlights the responsibility to teach and instill faith in children, creating a lasting spiritual legacy.
Inheritance and Blessings: Proverbs 13:22: "A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children, but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous." This verse suggests the importance of providing for future generations, both materially and spiritually.
Character and Influence: Psalm 112:1-2: "Praise the Lord. Blessed are those who fear the Lord, who find great delight in his commands. Their children will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed." This emphasizes that living a righteous life can positively influence descendants.
Legacy of Faithfulness: Timothy 1:5: "I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also."
This illustrates how faith can be passed down through generations, creating a legacy of belief.
Actions and Consequences: Galatians 6:7: "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows." The choices and actions of an individual can leave behind a legacy that impacts others.
In summary, the Bible encourages individuals to consider the legacy they create through their actions, values, and teachings. It speaks to the importance of nurturing faith, character, and a sense of responsibility toward future generations. There, we have reached our first pit-stop. Shall we move on to The Qur’an?
The Qur'an addresses the concept of legacy in some similar ways, emphasizing the importance of ethical behavior, the teachings of faith, and the responsibilities one has toward future generations. Here are some key themes related to legacy found in the Qur'an:
Guidance for Future Generations: The Qur'an encourages the passing down of knowledge and guidance to the next generation so they can understand their faith and moral responsibilities. Surah Al-Anfal (8:28): “And know that your properties and your children are but a trial and that Allah has with Him a great reward.” This verse emphasizes the idea that children are a trust from Allah and should be nurtured in faith.
Importance of Good Deeds: The Qur'an stresses the value of good deeds and their lasting impact, framing them as a part of one's legacy. Surah Al-Kahf (18:46): "Wealth and children are but adornment of the worldly life. But the enduring good deeds are better to your Lord for reward and better for one's hope."
Inheritance Rights: The Qur'an delineates clear laws regarding inheritance, ensuring that wealth is fairly distributed among family members, which is a fundamental aspect of leaving a legacy. Surah An-Nisa (4:11): This verse outlines the shares of inheritance for family members, emphasizing fairness and equity.
Teaching Values: The legacy left by a person is often intertwined with the values and morals they impart to others. Surah Luqman (31:13-19): In this passage, Luqman imparts wisdom to his son, teaching him about monotheism, good manners, and gratitude toward Allah.
Long-lasting Impact of Righteous Deeds: The Qur'an acknowledges that certain acts can create a legacy that continues to benefit people even after one's death. Surah Ya-Sin (36:12): "Indeed, it is We who resurrect the dead and record what they have sent before and their footprints; and all things We have enumerated in a clear register."
In summary, the Qur'an places significant emphasis on the importance of guiding future generations, engaging in good deeds, ensuring fair inheritance, and imparting values to create a meaningful legacy. The teachings encourage believers to consider the impact of their actions in shaping the legacy they leave behind.
At this point I feel like I am completely disregarding Mike’s initial statement about legacy. However, it is what it is. Although I seemed to resonate with Mike’s statements. Currently I am leaning towards another direction. Therefore, without disrespecting or debating the religious books, I would like share with you another perspective.
In order to do that, I would like to use this opportunity as another teaching point and reveal to you a history of “Pale blue dot”.
The Pale Blue Dot is an iconic photograph of Earth taken on Feb. 14, 1990, (yes on Valentines day, don’t be lame & stay on topic) by NASA’s Voyager 1 spacecraft at a distance of 3.7 billion miles (6 billion kilometers) from the Sun. The image inspired the title of scientist Carl Sagan's book, "Pale Blue Dot: A Vision of the Human Future in Space," in which he wrote: "Look again at that dot. That's here. That's home. That's us."
The picture that would become known as the Pale Blue Dot shows Earth within a scattered ray of sunlight. Voyager 1 was so far away that — from its vantage point — Earth was just a point of light about a 0.7 pixel in size.
As Carl Sagan said, “Look again, that’s us”. That is how small we are in comparison to the vast universe around us. Our problems, dreams, aspirations, wars, quarrels, protests, wins, losses & legacies - that is how tiny everything actually is in retrospect to the world around us. Does it really matter? Should we actually care?
I would like to switch back to The Bible again. In Genesis 3;19 God tells Adam the following; “For dust you are and to dust you shall return”. What does he mean by that? Actually, no deep exploration needed here. It is quite straightforward, humbling & frank statement, defining what we actually are. A piece of dust. The Bible urges believers to remember that we are pilgrims and sojourners, and as such we are “to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul”. The certainty that “to dust you shall return” should humble us to seek and follow God.
I think for one day we have had enough of religious teachings, let’s move on to psychology or pseudoscience shall we? I would like to shift your focus towards the following extract which, was written by Ph.D Lawrence Samuel in 2021;
I used to be a big believer in legacy. In fact, the primary reason I began writing books some 25 years ago was to create a body of work that would survive my physical body. I liked the idea of people in the future discovering my work and, hopefully, finding something interesting or valuable in something I wrote decades earlier. My goal was to create a literal paper trail in the belief that this would document my existence on the planet. In some way, then, I would live forever, achieving a kind of immortality.
Now I’m not so sure. For one thing, my literary ambitions began well before I had a child; now, as a father, I see my most important legacy as co-creating another human being who will hopefully co-create future generations with some of my DNA. I still like writing books, but I no longer see them as a means of proving that I was alive in the late 20th century and early 21st century.
The other reason I’ve deprioritized legacy in my own life is the growing realization of how little of history stands the test of time. The truth is that very few of us will be remembered for doing anything of real significance, as we have very short memories of the past. Quick: how many people born before the year 1900 can you name? Ten? Twenty? Maybe thirty? Roughly 107 billion people have lived on Earth over the past millennia, according to the Population Reference Bureau, but most of us can name a minuscule percentage of them and, to an even lesser degree, describe in any detail what they achieved.
Even very notable people of the past century are often eventually forgotten, virtually erasing their once assured legacy. Many singers, writers, politicians, and business people who were very well known in their day are now languishing in obscurity, basically unknown except to a small group of people with a special interest in their careers. Many Hollywood actors of yesterday who were household names are now fodder for trivia contests. Biggest movie star in 1923? Thomas Meighan. 1924? Norma Talmadge. 1932 and 1933? Marie Dressler. These stars were the Robert Downey Jr., Samuel L. Jackson, and Scarlett Johansson of their day, but like all but a handful of once-famous people, they’ve been relegated to the dustbin of history.
He continues with the following; I have no problem with anyone who sees great value in the pursuit of making and leaving their mark in some way. Doing so can create a ripple effect for decades or even centuries, influencing the lives of many over the course of time. Philanthropic deeds are especially important, as they can make a positive impact on society for generations and generations, ultimately improving the human experience in some way. Say what you will about how some of the robber barons of the 19th century made their fortunes, but the ways in which people like Andrew Carnegie and John D. Rockefeller gave much of it away still resonate today.
I’ve come to the belief, however, that our future selves are much less important than our present selves. The short time we are alive matters a lot more than the long time we’re dead, in other words, meaning that what we do on a daily basis in real-time far outweighs what we leave behind. Our actions in life live on in the lives of others, of course, and this is how we can make a lasting impact on society, perhaps for generations to come. Being generous, kind, and, if possible, enabling the happiness of others offers the greatest opportunity to achieve a kind of immortality, making this the legacy I now want to create.
Now, you might think that I should be done at this point. However, unfortunately or fortunately I have more things to write about. I cannot conclude this article on legacy before underlining two very significant Azerbaijani industrialists & philanthropists. Honest to God, I love the legacy they have left behind.
During the summer of 2023, I visited a city called Vladikavkaz, Capital city of North Ossetia, Russia. I received an invitation from a friend for no specific reason - “Come Rashad, I will show you around & you will love my hometown”. He was not wrong, I did love it. Surrounded by mountains, it was one of the most beautiful cities I have been in Caucasus region. My hotel was situated on the main street of town, which was dedicated only to pedestrians & the tramway. Each morning streetwide speakers were playing Chopin and Mozart. It felt like I am in a movie or some big resort with a classical music theme.
On my first evening there, I was invited to a dinner. Vladikavkaz is a very pedestrian friendly town, surrounded by mountains from every angle and is divided by a wide and loud river called Terek. Every person that I talked to that day, showed me so much respect for a specific reason. It was due to my nationality, the reason was me being Azerbaijani. During our walk to the restaurant with my friend, his cousin & their uncle, I asked - what is the reason for the admiration towards Azerbaijanis, is there something that I do not know about? The uncle asked us to detour & told me to follow him with the statement “Come I will show you why”. We started walking along the river Terek until we reached a mosque.
Apparently this Sunni mosque is most commonly called The Mukhtarov mosque. Right at that moment, left eyebrow was raised. Because, I knew the name but could not figure out the connection between an Azerbaijani millionaire & Vladikavkaz. The uncle explained further it’s history. The mosque owes its name to the Azerbaijani millionaire Murtuza Mukhtarov who financed its construction in 1900–1908. The architect Józef Plośko was inspired by Al-Azhar and other mosques of Cairo. Plośko was also the architect of Mukhtarov Palace in Baku. Two side-facts, Murtza actually wanted the mosque to replicate the famous mosque Al-Azhar. Fact number two, Murtuza Mukhtarov’s palace in Baku, right now serves a different purpose. Currently his palace is called the Palace of happiness. It is a place where Baku citizens get married, say their vows & get marriage certificates. He built a signature mosque in the heart of the city where millions of people prayed ever since & he built a house in which people create happy memories every day. What a legend…
However, the most unique part of Mukhtarov’s legacy is about that mosque. Further on, while we were standing in front of the mosque, I was told a tale. Apparently, when Murtuza Mukhtarov was visiting Northern Ossetia he fell in love with an Ossetian noble lady named Liza-Khanum(meaning lady) Taganova a daughter of a Russian General Tuganov. According to the tale, after Murtuza fell in love with her, he rode in to Ossetia with 100 white horses (equivalent of 100 white Rolls Royces of today) to ask for her fathers blessing and ask Liza to marry him. Upon receiving the blessing from the family, Murtuza pledged to construct a Mosque as a thank you and a tribute to Ossetian people. Therefore, since then, Mukhtarov mosque stands tall by the river Terek as a tribute to Murtuza’s love towards Liza and as a symbol of respect and admiration between two friendly nations. Nowadays, Mukhtarov Mosque serves as a significant shrine to Murtuza and is elevating his legacy regardless of the fact that it was gifted more than a century ago. Timeless…
If you think that this was not impressive enough, then you might want to consider getting to know Zeynalabdin Taghiyev. This name is known by every living Azerbaijani. What makes them both special is the fact that their legacies are going to live on for centuries as will the legacy of our current president Ilham Aliyev & his father Heydar Aliyev - both being liberators have engraved their names to our national history with bold letters.
I as Azerbaijani, owe a lot to the names I mentioned in previous sentences. Not just our existence as a sovereign strong country but also the way in which we exist. I do not want to go too much into detail of the politics and wars, what I want to do is to romanticize with Zeynalabdin’s accomplishments & his added value to our geography. Because, his legacy and his deeds always made me shrug with a smile and admiration.
Who was Zeynalabdin Taghiyev? He lived during the years 1825-1924. He was a prominent oil magnate, industrialist, philanthropist, and public figure during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He is widely recognized for his significant contributions to the economic development of Azerbaijan and his involvement in various social and cultural initiatives. Son of a shoemaker who literally discovered oil reserve in his land plot in the outskirts of Baku ended up becoming someone, who Bill Gates can not become no matter what he does.
Zeynalabdin became a living legend not because how he made his money, but because how he spent it. He financed pipelines of fresh water, built roads, magnificent architectural creations in the heart of Baku, financed the first school for girls in the muslim world, built opera theatre which was the first one in the region, created scholarship programs for promising students, financed universities & so on. To find out more about him and his deeds you can read about him here. Nowadays, movies are made about him, his house is a museum, a statue dedicated to him is standing right across the schools he built, has streets named after him in most cities and so on. Even though the soviet regime took everything from him in 1920 - his name will be always remembered & his legacy will never fade away. His contributions to education, culture & future of our society are undeniably magnificent. I wish our kids knew more about him rather than Messi & Ronaldo.
I hope you are still with me and have patiently waited until I made my point. This article served as a written thought provoking process. I had no endgame when I started, which I usually don’t. I compartmentalize arguments I would like to make first. Further on, I let it flow. Not only to unleash the limited amount of creativity that I have, but also to make my mind along with you.
After careful consideration & relapse, Mike Tyson was right…But not quite. Yes! We do turn to dust. Yes! We are nothing in the vast realm of space. And yes! No one will even remember 99.9% of us in 100 years. That is all correct! However, what if???
I do not want to live in a world where great men & women are not held accountable for their actions. I want to live in a world where each one of us is trying to serve as an example. Not only with words and loud statements, but with deeds. I understand that not all of us will be able to finance pipelines and build universities, but what if?
Although I found Mike’s statements very accurate, strong and vigorous. I cannot agree with him fully. All those religious teachings, psychological assessments & historical personalities serve one primal reason - to inspire for GOOD. Memento Mori - Yes! Death is inevitable. Carpe diem - Yes! Live in the moment. However, none of that pursues us to ignore future generations. Because, what if? What if we are living amongst next Tyson, Taghiyev, Mukhtarov & Aliyev?
I might be romanticizing with this “What if?” question more than I should, however you and I both know that, I am closer to being right than wrong. The ones who had the curiosity, the grit, the tenacity & the willpower to leave a big fat legacy always romanticized with the same question. “What if I am the one?”
Since I was a teenager, I always wanted to create something with eternal value. However, not for the time after my death. I want it now, in its broader sense. I wanted to create something that makes our lives better. By “our”, I mean people surrounding me, my friends, my family, my city, my country or even humanity. To be honest, bigger the affected group - the better. What I create can be an article, a product, a book, a business, an offspring who changes the world or just a small deed which spirals that required domino effect of greatness & eternal value.
I honestly do not care how big that domino effect gets or how small it stays. As long as I feel like I am doing my best to get 1% closer to it daily - I feel content and happy. Thanks for the “1% daily” lesson James Clear.
Recently I was happy to announce that the biggest step towards that value creation in my career happened this year. 2024 became the year when a software product of my company’s creation became responsible for my nation’s health & safety. Honest to God, It was one of those rare moments when I felt proud of myself and what we do as a company. Now, I am hungry for more.
Today as a writer, I have somewhat different plans for the next year. This time my plans are not in tech space or business world, it is something from a different realm. I am publishing my first book! I am becoming a published writer of a book for children. And that legacy of mine will live on at least for generations to come. Bare minimum, the hard copy will be passed on by my daughter to her children. My legacy that I am creating NOW will live on. Maybe one day, my name will be written alongside J.K. Rowling’s. Come on now….What if??
Pura Vida!
Rashad
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