By David Tollefson, Vice President
In the past couple of months, I’ve experienced the passing of three good men – one, a dear friend; another, an admired colleague; and the third, a respected figure in our field.
Listening to the tributes, reading what others wrote, and recalling my own moments with them, I was struck by the mark they left behind.
Their passing made me pause and reflect.
Jackie Robinson said, “A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.”
That prompted me to ask: How have I lived? And how will others be different because they knew me?
Impact isn’t about what people say when we’re gone; it’s about how we shape their journey while we’re here.
That sphere of influence is vast, our bosses, teams, and peers, all within reach.
Billy Graham reminded us, “A coach will impact more people in one year than the average person in a lifetime.”
Whether we influence many or one, we can’t afford to drift through life.
Making a difference requires intention. It takes honest self-reflection: who am I today, and who am I becoming?
It demands personal growth and daily choices aligned with the legacy we aim to leave.
So, I commit:
- To live a life of impact, a life that matters.
- To reflect on my qualities, what I offer now and where I can grow, so I can become a better influence.
- To live each day, each moment, in a way that reflects who I want to be and what I want to pass on.
Will you commit with me to leave something lasting, something that outlives us, where we work, gather, and love?