So determined was the president to have an impact, but no sooner had his term ended than his fame and influence began to recede. That is as it ought to be in the careers of presidents, and in the lives of others. It would be unfortunate were we to pursue life so that our participation in it would require such memorializing. No matter who he might be, or what he might say or do, no one is so much a part of life that he must extend beyond his moment. Either gradually or more suddenly, everyone is expected to fade.
That is as it should be and so it becomes more importantly to live inwardly, settling into the satisfaction at the center of being, rather than outwardly in the hope that others might marvel or appreciate what was accomplished. It is the distinction between doing and being, and it is trusting ourselves to recognize the value of life rather than hope someone in another time will say it was of value.
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