Legacy, Harmony, and the Rhythms of Life

Reflecting Black History and Honoring Scott Joplin

When everything around you is great, everything makes you happy. You love everything around you because you love yourself. This sense of harmony is not a fleeting emotion—it is a composition, a melody of the life you produce. Like a carefully orchestrated piece of music, our lives play out in distinct movements, repeating patterns, and moments of improvisation. We are both the composer and the audience, shaping our story through the agreements we make with life.

Ragtime music, which emerged from African American communities in the late 19th century, embodies this interplay of rhythm and meaning. It is a structured yet playful form of music, mirroring the journey of life itself—full of  unexpected notes, and evolving themes. Scott Joplin, the “King of Ragtime,” composed pieces like “Maple Leaf Rag” and “The Entertainer,” filling the air with joy and resilience. His compositions, much like our own personal legacies, have stood the test of time, influencing jazz, stride piano, and even classical composers like Debussy and Stravinsky.

A Legacy in Every Note

In many ways, life is like ragtime. It moves forward in a steady rhythm, yet within its structure, there is room for spontaneity. Every interaction, every agreement with life, and every moment of joy contributes to our legacy. It is not about the accolades or how the world perceives us, but about the love and meaning we infuse into our journey. We are not defined by how others describe us, but by the music we choose to create within our souls.

As a certified end-of-life coach and human rights consultant, I see the importance of embracing our unique rhythms. Grief, like music, has its own time signature—its own beats of sorrow, healing, and renewal. In philanthropy, much like in music, the harmony of giving and receiving creates a legacy that extends far beyond our own existence.

Just as ragtime music experienced revivals in the 1950s and 1970s, the acts of kindness we share with the world can have echoes that reach generations beyond our own. This is why I advocate for legacy projects—initiatives that support orphanages, scholarships, and human rights efforts—because they allow our song to continue long after our time in this world has ended.

The Freedom of Not Taking Things Personally

Whatever people do, feel, think, or say, don’t take it personally. Even their praise or criticism is not about you—it’s a reflection of their own perspective. Just as a piece of music remains unchanged whether it is adored or ignored, your legacy is not dictated by others’ opinions. Even the thoughts you have about yourself are not necessarily true. The only truth is the rhythm you create within yourself—the beat of love, compassion, and resilience.

Even in the face of life’s most difficult moments, when pain or loss strikes with the abruptness of a discordant note, remember that it is part of the composition. Even if the world seems to pause, like a rest in music, the melody continues. And in that continuation, we find purpose.

Your Life, Your Legacy

What will your song be? Will it be a bold, syncopated rhythm of courage and adventure, or a gentle, flowing ballad of service and kindness? Perhaps it will be a mixture of both—because that is the beauty of being human. Whether through music, philanthropy, or simply the love you share, your legacy will be a song that never truly ends.

So play on. Love deeply. Give generously. And above all, live your life like the masterpiece it was meant to be.

With harmony and gratitude, Patricia Freudenberg

The Entertainer by Scott Joplin on YouTube 

Copyright © 2025 Patricia Freudenberg, Certified End-of-Life Coach. All Rights Reserved.