We Are Descendants

I don’t know why I never thought of it this way before, but last week something hit me: We are all descendents of every generation of humanity. If we all were to trace our lineage back as far as it goes, we could find that we had a relative who lived through every age of human history. Who knows where those family members were and how they were impacted by world events, but nonetheless, they were around.

During the American Revolution in the late 1700s, you had a living relative somewhere in the world who may have been involved, or heard about it. When the Bubonic Plague ravaged Europe and killed 21 million people in the 1300s, you had a living relative who may or may not have been impacted. When Jesus walked the Earth, someone in your family line walked the Earth at the same time, and maybe even encountered him. When the Pyramids of Egypt were being built in 2500 BC, somewhere, someone that you’re distantly related to was living their life.

Not only were living conditions much different, and very difficult, but human history is full of devastation. You are here today not only because someone existed way back when, but they survived. They’re people who overcame global pandemics, brutal war, years of enslavement, and desperate famine. You are descended from these people. People who are beyond resilient, incredibly resourceful, and endured tremendous hardship. And you have that within you too.

But… Life looks a little different today. The battle we fight isn’t one for our survival. It’s existential in a different way - and relates to figuring out what our purpose is, and what we’re here in this world to do. It’s equally uncertain and requires its own form of resilience and resourcefulness. 

The main difference is, it’s not required. Living a purposeful life is elective. It’s not something we need to do, but choose to do. And as you reflect on the spaces you take up over the course of the day, and contributions you make toward society, your descendants 1000 years from now will be wondering what you did in this age of human history. So let’s make the most of it!

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