August 2025 | Building Our Biography | Legacy in the Making
- Mister Mike
- Aug 11
- 3 min read
July 2025
“If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.”
Sir Isaac Newton 1643-1727
Greetings, and happy August! It’s been a great summer in Maine. We have a lot of 80-degree days with blue skies and high puffy clouds. Following the news has certainly been interesting, but I prefer to spend my time in the past. (Ha! Ha!) I have spent a bunch of time in the American Revolution, and it just happens that most delegates signed the Declaration of Independence on August 2, 1776, when it became official.
One of my very favorite authors was David McCullough, who wrote a book about the American Revolution, titled 1776, about the first year and a half of the war. I think I have read every book McCullough wrote except one. I listened to him speak on television one time. As he finished his point, he paused for a moment and then said; “You know that there really is no history; it is really just biographies.” This quote makes me think about what we can do to help the next generation whose biographies are yet to be written. We can reflect on our own biographies, should one ever be written, not just what we have done (like a resume or an obituary), but what kind of people we were. What was our effect on the people we spent time with? There is a famous painting by Revolutionary period painter John Trumbull that depicts the signing of the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia, circa 1776. The picture depicts a large crowd gathered around for the signing. I ask myself, “Is this picture just about the signing or is it more about the “biographies” of those that are in attendance?” The Declaration of Independence is a product of these men’s thoughts, as well as their values. Agree with them, or find fault with their efforts, it does not really matter. Once you have read their biographies, you realize that the Declaration was signed by men who came together with truly different biographies and produced something of great value to the world. Their biographies are relevant! And today - we “stand on their shoulders!”
We need to be careful in writing anything, though. As Mark Twain is quoted as saying. “What gets us into trouble is not what we don’t know. It’s what we know for sure that just ain’t so.” In furthering Twain’s thoughts, I ask myself, “How am I building my biography? How are you building your biography?” Will someone someday reflect and quote you, or make a life-affecting decision because of what they learned from you? That might be your only “biography!” We should always make every effort to get things right that we put on paper. Even if we make a few errors, it will be worth the effort for those who come after us.
One thing I would challenge McCullough on: I believe that we each “create” our own biographies. It may never be written or published, but just like those who came before, we will leave a legacy. It is our challenge to leave a “positive biography” based on what we know, what we valued and remembered. We should try our best to make our legacy sustainable.
I was talking with a young fellow that I was mentoring, VERY bright young man, terrific personality and no lack of self-confidence. I asked him how his group was doing, and he said, “Sometimes not that good.” I next asked what seemed to be his greatest challenge, as we all have challenges! He replied that he really struggled dealing with the many personalities of those “beneath him.” OUCH!!! Let me ask, “Who is beneath you, and who is above you?” Would we all not be better served if everyone was WITH us? Here was a young man who I am sure had never even thought of what his biography might one day read like, but he has time!
“It was never about what had been but what could be. The future should not be complicated. It begins with assessing what’s possible. The danger lies in being self-limiting”.
General Stanley McChrystal
Michael M. Carney mr.mikecarney@gmail.com
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