A Note on Legacy

This one's from the heart.

This past weekend, I learned that one of my former students passed away unexpectedly. He was one of those rare people who could light up a room just by walking in.

He cared deeply about people, always found a reason to laugh, and made everyone around him feel seen and valued.

Losing him has been hard. It's had me thinking a lot about the legacy we leave behind and what really matters when all is said and done.

I've spend most of my life helping people grow. First as a student affairs professional, and now as a coach.

And this week reminded me of something simple... the real impact we have comes from how we make people feel in our presence.

As past colleagues and I shared memories of Markus, it was clear that he left his mark with each of us in different ways. And I found myself reflecting on what I want to be known for.

What do I want leave in the memories of the people I've crossed paths with?

I want to be known as someone who helps people remember who they are when life makes them forget. The kind of coach, friend, and human who makes people feel like they can finally take a deep breath. Someone who listens, tells the truth kindly, and believes in people even when they doubt themselves.

I don't care about being the loudest voice in the room. I care about being the voice that helps someone hear their own again.

I want people to leave our time together feeling seen, supported, and a little more sure of the life they're building.

That's the impact I want to leave. That's what I want to be known for.

I know I won't always get it right. I can be stubborn. I overthink. I care deeply, sometimes to my detriment.

But at the end of the day, I hope the people in my world know that I showed up with heart. That I meant what I said. That I tried to make things better in the spaces I touched.

I hope my work reminds people they have more power than they think. I hope my words meet them on hard days. And I hope that when people think of me, they remember someone who helped them come back to themselves.

Maybe that's something worth thinking about for yourself, too. Not just what you want to achieve, but who you want to be known as when people think of you.

After all, it's not just about what we do, but who we are when we do it.

Take care,

Tara