I recently attended my first TEDx event – TEDxSurrey, and I wasn’t sure what to expect. It turned out to be a powerful experience, and now I can’t wait to attend more.
The event began with host Noel Bentley offering a land acknowledgement for Indigenous people, setting a respectful, reflective tone that stayed with me. I especially appreciated what Lekeyten, one of 20 Kwantlen First Nation Elders, shared and performed.
One line from his words continues to echo for me:
“In the end, it isn’t our blood that speaks for us, it’s the legacy we leave in people’s lives.”
That hit home. It’s not just who we are by birth that matters, but the impact we make for future generations – in our families, communities, and workplaces.
It left me asking: What legacy am I building through my daily actions and decisions?
It’s a heavy question, and I’m still working on it. A lighter way I’m holding it is:
* If someone watched me today, what would they learn I value?
* Did I make one person’s day a little easier or kinder?
* Did I grow in one small way (skill, awareness, or courage)?
* Did I act in line with one core value I care about?
If the answer is “yes” more often than not, we’re already building a quiet, meaningful legacy step by step even while we’re still figuring out the bigger picture.