What’s My Purpose? Reflecting on Legacy and Impact
I’ve often wondered what my purpose is here on Earth. What kind of “mark” am I meant to leave? What will my legacy be? These are big questions, ones that became especially pressing for me after experiencing a loss in my extended Vancouver family. Today, I want to explore these thoughts with you.
Leaving a positive mark on the world has always been one of my core values, but for years, I struggled with the idea that it had to be on a grand scale. I felt this immense pressure to achieve something monumental, to impact countless lives in some extraordinary way. But what I’ve come to realize is that our contributions don’t have to be massive to be meaningful.
Of course, it’s entirely possible that you’re destined to make a sweeping impact, touching the lives of millions or even billions of people. But equally powerful is the idea that your influence might be more personal—a single life, a few people, or even just one moment. Because when you touch one life, you create a ripple effect. That one person may go on to positively impact others, and in that way, your reach becomes immeasurable.
This perspective has taught me to think of legacy not in terms of scale, but in terms of intention. It’s about being a visionary, seeing the bigger picture of how small acts of kindness can grow into something much greater than ourselves.
Let me share a story that solidified this understanding for me.
Many years ago, my family lost someone very special to us in a tragic accident. His name was Daniel, and he was only 18 years old. Despite his young age, Daniel made a profound impact on the world around him. He lived with incredible purpose, touching the hearts and souls of everyone he encountered.
Daniel’s life was a testament to love, curiosity, and kindness. He traveled to places like Peru and India to make a difference, and his work brought him into the company of remarkable individuals, including the Dalai Lama. After his passing, Quest University in Squamish, BC, held a ceremony in his honor. What followed was nothing short of extraordinary.
It felt like the entire campus showed up to pay their respects. People stood up to speak about a young man many of them had only met briefly—some for five minutes, others for just two weeks. Remarkably, even those who had never met Daniel in person spoke of how his spirit had touched them through stories shared by others. The common thread among them all was the incredible “mark” he had left behind.
So, how did an 18-year-old create such a lasting legacy in such a short time?
Daniel’s secret was simple but powerful: he lived fully and loved deeply. His smile warmed hearts, and his genuine love for people, animals, and nature radiated from him. He didn’t set out to leave a legacy; he simply embodied kindness, presence, and authenticity every day.
What Daniel accomplished in his 18 years is something many people strive for their entire lives. He showed us how to lead by example, to find joy in life’s beauty, to give love unconditionally, and to share a smile that could heal.
Daniel’s story reminds us that legacy isn’t about the number of lives you touch but the depth of your impact. His life inspires me to live with intention, to give more love, and to embrace every day as an opportunity to create meaningful connections.
So, let’s take a page from Daniel’s book. Let’s live fully, always come from a place of love, and believe in the power of small actions—like a genuine smile—to change lives.
