The word “legacy” has been percolating in my mind and conversations over the last year. Perhaps arriving into elderhood accounts for some of the reason. But thinking about legacy should not wait until we advance in age. Iroquois and other indigenous people remind us whatever our age, we should be using the seven generation principle in all of our thinking and decision making, asking: how will what we do impact resources and relationships seven generations down the line? The notion of legacy leads us to focus on sustainability, on honor, respect, and the repair needed in our world.

As we worked together on the new edition of “The Visionary Director,” Luz Casio described raising the concept of legacy in her interviews with both prospective staff members and families coming to her center. “Here’s who we are, but your job will be to leave your own legacy with us. What do you want that to be?”