Heirs

Imagine a huge amount of ancestral land that is inherited by many heirs. The land is naturally blessed with a stream that has nurtured vast fields and splendid orchards. However, since the area is vast, it is a challenge to protect it as well as maintain it. The harvest too requires considerable efforts and singular focus.

The heirs are many and their preferences are different. They have built homes, careers and lives elsewhere. They think it is a risk to relocate and take on a tough life. Hence, they decide to divide the property and leave it to each recipient to make their own choice from selling the land to giving it out on lease or ‘develop’ it.

The land is now smaller sets of different types. The fewer fields are now grasslands. The trees are being cut to make way. The stream is drying up. The naturally blessed land is losing its original splendour and character. The value of the land has dwindled and future heirs have diminishing benefits.

Consider the above analogy for Mother Earth. Wendell Berry said it so well, ‘The Earth is what we all have in common.’ It is our common inheritance. If our future generations have to enjoy this legacy, we must collectively ensure that we not only preserve the present but also add positive value.

If we don’t take on collective responsibility for the collective ownership, we ensure a collective failure for our generation and collective doom for the future generations. We must see the larger picture and rededicate to a collective resolve to sustain our planet through responsible and responsive actions.

Heirs who consume what they inherit will never leave a legacy. The fruits we eat are the efforts of those who planted the trees and ensured they grew. Legacies are built over efforts of many persons over many years.  We must not only safeguard what was nurtured by our ancestors, we must add to the value of the inheritance.

Let’s be responsive heirs who truly know

…that legacy needs inheritance to grow!

~ Pravin K Sabnis