In recent months I’m sure that there have been few of us who have not been touched by the loss of a family, friend, or community member.
People die across the community and the world every day. However, when we’re faced with a pandemic and the heightened awareness of the fragility of life the apparent increase in the number of deaths brought to our consciousness, can have a heightened mental and emotional impact.
On a daily basis, the brain can only handle a limited number of data bits per second, depending on the activity and what else is going on in the individual’s life. The increased emotional, mental, and physical stress we are all under can be given an even greater jolt when we hear of the passing of someone close to us and/or who we greatly admire and respect.
I’m usually focused on topics that lift and strengthen, but life is a balance of stimuli: positive and negative. Both are necessary to help us as individual members of this human experience to focus and refocus on the things that will enable us to become our very best selves and to fulfill our purpose here.
So, recent sad news that I received has pushed me to consider again the question of legacy. If you were asked what your legacy is at this point in time, how would you answer?
We all want to make a difference in this world. We all want to know that our life was worthwhile, that it meant something. The thing is that we’re all facing or hearing about so much loss of life just now, that it reminds us of the relative brevity of this experience of life. If we want to ensure that we answer those questions, I believe that we need to realise that we can only do that consciously. The productive meaningful life we dream of living, the difference we want to make, or the value we wish to bring can only be done through our conscious, determined doing of it. It cannot and will not do itself.
This weekend I learnt of the passing of one of our local heroines, Sujata Barot. Sometimes it’s our local visionaries, heroes, and heroines that can be the ones we don’t give as much reverence to because we expect that they will always be there. But Sujata was a wonderful example of some who exemplified the conscious living of the legacy she wished to leave.
Sujata was the first Indian woman on TV and Radio in Leicestershire, having been at the start of the BBC Asian Network. Her activism; working to address matters of inequality around disability, gender, community funding, and other issues. Only a few years ago she ran for and won as an independent in the local elections becoming the Leicester East Parliamentary Representative.
Sujata was always a delight to meet and speak with. Encouraging, enlightening, an outspoken, radiant light for change, who leaves a legacy from which many women and men will continue to benefit for years to come.
Some people’s legacy and impact can be seen and experienced whilst they are with us. This has been the case with Sujata. Even knowing this, she was a big-hearted, open-minded, highly intelligent, strong woman, who served her community with her all. I know that her work and impact will continue to be felt and grow.
I am so grateful to have known Sujata Barot and the difference she has made to so many people, the legacy she has left. Her loss will be felt deeply. But even in this, she continues to inspire greater thought and purpose.
NOTE:
If this post has affected you or you are suffering from a loss of a family member or friend and you need some help or support, please do not suffer alone. It normal and natural to feel lost deeply. Reach out to a trusted family member or a friend or find some support from one of the many bereavement support organisations in your local area.
If you’re in Leicester this link might help
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.