For most people, the word legacy conjures up the idea of grand gestures—buildings named after benefactors, scholarships endowed by philanthropists, or fortunes passed down through generations. But, in my opinion, at its heart, leaving a legacy is not about wealth or status. It’s about the imprint we leave on the world and in the hearts of others—the quiet, enduring ways our lives continue to matter long after we’re gone.
A legacy is, quite simply, the story of your life that lives on. It’s the memories people hold of you, the lessons you’ve shared, the kindness you’ve shown, and the love you’ve given. It can be tangible—a garden you planted that continues to bloom each spring—or intangible, like the values you instilled in your loved ones or the inspiration you offered to a friend. Every one of us leaves something behind, whether we realize it or not. The choice we have is what kind of legacy we want that to be.
Leaving money or assets to our heirs is a nice gesture but some of the most meaningful legacies don’t involve money at all. Teaching a younger family member how to cook a family recipe or sharing the stories behind old family photos passes on a sense of history and belonging that no dollar amount could replace. Volunteering your time, mentoring someone, or simply being a good friend are powerful forms of legacy. Activities you share together like travel or sports (watching or playing) can provide memories that transcend a lifetime. Your actions build bridges between generations and ripple outward in ways you may never see.
Consider the neighbor who plants flowers along the sidewalk so others can enjoy their color and fragrance. Or the retired teacher who tutors struggling students at the local library. Or the couple who hosts Sunday dinners, creating a space where family and friends feel welcome and loved. None of these acts requires wealth, yet they enrich lives, strengthen communities, and create memories that endure.
My favorite Christmas movie of all time is “It’s a Wonderful Life”. The lesson that our everyday actions have impacts we may never realize resonates with me. If we are lucky, people share with us that impact in our lifetime but, often that is not the case. In the end, you may be leaving more of a legacy than you think. I remember a student of mine once told me I had inspired him to seek a job using his newly acquired English language skills. It had changed the trajectory of his life — he was traveling the world in his new position and his family was preparing to live abroad. I was surprised I had had any role in his life’s direction but I realized later that my firm (and very American) belief you can do anything you set your mind to was the actual inspiration. That was something I was raised to believe so, in the end, it was the legacy of my father that was being passed down through me to the student.
Leaving a legacy begins with reflection. What matters most to you? What values do you hope others will remember when they think of you? Legacy grows from intention—choosing to live each day in a way that reflects your core beliefs. Legacy also means sharing your values and sharing yourself with those around you. Maybe that means writing letters to your grandchildren about your life lessons and hopes for their future. Perhaps it means supporting causes that align with your passions, whether through donations or hands-on involvement. It could be as simple as practicing patience, kindness, and gratitude—small daily choices that shape how people experience your presence in their lives.
Your legacy is about how you have lived your life and how you have shared your life with others. But it is really never too late to focus on what you will leave behind. If you have a specific goal for your legacy, start small and start now. Write down your stories. Record your favorite family recipes. Create a scrapbook of photographs or a playlist of songs that mark important chapters of your life. Document your thoughts, values, and feelings. Plant a tree, sponsor a community project, or volunteer for an organization that makes a difference to you. Each of these actions becomes a thread in the larger fabric of who you are and how you’ll be remembered.
Ultimately, leaving a legacy is about living with purpose. It’s about realizing that our influence extends beyond the present moment. When we give of ourselves—our time, our wisdom, our compassion—we create ripples that travel far beyond our sight. Long after we’re gone, those ripples continue to touch lives, carrying forward the best parts of who we were.
Your legacy doesn’t have to be grand to be great. It just has to be yours—a reflection of the life you’ve lived, the people you’ve loved, and the difference you’ve made, however small. In the end, that is what it truly means to leave a legacy.
