“Each life is linked to all life.
Your thoughts, words and actions create a ripple effect; much like a stone thrown into a pond.
The quality of that ripple effect…is your legacy.”
– Kosta Stoyanoff

What kinds of ripples do you send into the world? Are they positive and empowering of others, or negative and demeaning?

Since you are reading this with age-esteem I know you are probably the former most of the time. It can be difficult sometimes, though, and takes practice.

One of the reasons I like the quote above is because it refers to the ripple effect. When we stop to think that everything we say and do has a ripple effect, we focus on the power of our words and actions. Whatever our age, abilities, experience, or knowledge, we are a role model for others in everything that we do.

I believe we are especially important role models as we age. Who else can better show the world what aging means today? Who else can be an effective model to demonstrate age-esteem? Who else can share the history that you have lived? Who else can better transmit values and ethics through example?

The ripple effect of our words and actions become our legacy. We will never know how many lives we have touched as part of our legacy, but we will know how we have lived as a role model for others to emulate.

Bonnie Fatio