When I left South King, I was blessed with an amazing retirement get together consisting of friends, family, enemies and fire people. I felt so loved and appreciated. It really made my time spent in the fire service in Washington seem worthy. The thing that struck me the hardest was a couple of people’s specific comments. Comments like “Chief, when I was in the academy, you said.....”. Or “I remember the first fire I went to and you said..... “. One person even reached out to me via social media saying “I so appreciate all you did for me and the impact you had on my career....”. I couldn’t even recall this person let alone what I could have done for him. All of these people shared stories with me that were important to them, perhaps even instrumental in their development, that I couldn’t recall. I couldn’t remember the moments, the words or the actions. It was all just part of doing my business, just a day in the life.
Legacy. I say “Everybody leaves a legacy....sometimes it’s good.” Apparently, and according to those who spoke up, I was creating my legacy without even knowing it. I wasn’t aware of the impact that my words or actions were having on people. I certainly wish I would have known at the time that my words, in the lives of those new in the industry, were leaving a mark. An indelible mark. A mark that was recalled some 25-30 years later.
While you are cruising through life and your work, choose your words and your actions carefully. Think about the impact, or at least the impression, they will leave. Words matter. Especially to young people whether they are children or people young in your industry. Your actions speak to your character.
You will leave a legacy. What will it be? Good or bad?
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