So many times when I read about living a good life, I read an account of how much positive impact someone had, in general – > Positive impact on their social circle, their colleagues and on people at large.

And, It makes me feel a tad bit Squeamish.

I was skimming through a book ‘You Die only once’ and came across the often done self- reflection exercise, of writing your own obituary. And that led me to read other examples, to notice that, in their self-obituaries as well, people tend to highlight their social impact, as if it was a barometer of social worth.

It makes me wonder if all that we do, is somehow reduced to our ability to create value, or some sort of seen/measurable/tangible impact?

And even though not economically motivated, when you live (or die) to “create impact”, I feel the concept to be unhinged (and irrationally reductive.)

Your ‘being’ on this planet earth cannot be equated to being ‘productive’ and ‘driven for duty’ and only living for others. As much as I’m a proponent for being kind (to others, but to yourself as well), the radical human life given to us, does not justify itself to be well-lived for a reason other than self- actualization.