The Torchbearer - Your Light is Your Legacy

Your Light is Your Legacy: What the Olympic Flame Taught Me About Leadership
I once heard a phrase that landed deep in my soul: “My light is my legacy.”
At the time, I didn’t realize just how true it was—not just for me, but for so many quiet leaders who walk through the world carrying something luminous.

There are people who, simply by entering a room, shift the atmosphere. Their presence is steady. Their words are few, but intentional. Their hearts are grounded. They carry a light that doesn’t demand attention—it draws it. Like a moth to a flame, people feel safer, stronger, and more centered in their orbit.

That’9s what inspired me to write a parable I now call The Torchbearer.

In it, a young leader struggles with doubt after being asked to carry a sacred flame. She wonders if her light is enough. If she’s worthy. But as she journeys forward, she discovers that the flame isn’t something she has to earn. It’s already within her. Her only role is to carry it with care—and when the time comes, to pass it on.

The metaphor is simple, but powerful:
We are all torchbearers.

The Flame Within

In life, and especially in leadership, there are seasons when our light feels dim.
Fatigue sets in. Confidence wavers. You begin to question if what you carry even matters. I’ve been there—burnt out, discouraged, trying to please everyone but myself.
But here’s what I’ve come to believe:

Just like the Olympic torch, your flame may flicker, but it never goes out.
It lives inside you—fueled by your values, your faith, your purpose.

Faith, in particular, is a flame. It doesn’t always roar. Sometimes, it’s just a glow in the dark. But it is always there, waiting for us to tend it, to fan it, and to trust it.

And sometimes? Your flame isn't just for you. Sometimes you're called to light the way for someone else. A team. A community. A child. A friend walking through a dark time. That’s the legacy. It’s not what you leave behind—it’s what you light along the way.

Leading with Light

One of my dearest friends, Juanita, has been this kind of torchbearer for me for over a decade. Her presence radiates grace and quiet strength. She leads not by dominating a room, but by elevating it.

Years ago, Juanita was selected to carry the actual Olympic torch during its ceremonial relay—a profound honor that reflects exactly who she is. I didn’t see it in person, but knowing she was chosen felt symbolic of everything she represents. Her life has always been about lighting the way for others. That moment with the torch wasn’t just a ceremonial relay—it was a reflection of the quiet, steady way she uplifts others every day.

She was the inspiration behind The Torchbearer. Learning of her role in that moment ignited something in me—an understanding that leadership isn’t about status or spotlight. It’s about the flame you carry within, and the courage to pass it on.

There are moments in life when we’re called to be torchbearers — not just for ourselves, but for others. To light the way. To remind people of the light within them. To lead with faith when others may feel lost in the dark.

The lesson of The Torchbearer, and of Juanita’s life, is that we all have a flame in our souls. And while not every moment calls us to lead from the front, when our time comes, we must rise — grounded in faith, guided by integrity, and fueled by love.

Some lights are so strong, they change everything around them.
They don’t have to try to shine — they just are.
And in their presence, we are reminded of what’s possible.

Try This:

• Journal Prompt: Where in your life or leadership do you feel your flame is dimming? What would help you reignite it?

• Mindset Shift: “My light is not something I earn. It’s something I carry.”

• Daily Practice: At the end of each day, write down one moment where your presence made a difference—even in a small way.