Legacy: "Something handed down from an ancestor or a predecessor or from the past."On April 12, 1980, Terry Fox dipped his right leg into the Atlantic Ocean and set out on his marathon of hope. For the next few months, Terry ran through Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Quebec, reaching Ontario in June. Over that time, he covered approximately 23.3miles per day, and had reached just outside Thunderbay when his battle with cancer finally forced him to stop - one year later, he lost the fight entirely. However, his courageous journey will continue to live on and Terry's efforts will never be forgotten.
On March 31, 1984, Steve Fonyo began his "Journey for Lives" - a marathon that was meant to honor Terry, covering the same route and then carrying on past where Terry had finally succumbed. He completed it on May 29, 1985 after covering 4,924 miles and raising $14 million (CDN). In the early part, he was criticized as a "copy-cat", and was overshadowed by Terry's history - but by the end, he had earned everyone's respect by his own right, and amongst other things was awarded the Order of Canada in 1985 - the youngest person ever given the status at that time.
Sadly, after reaching this pinnacle, Steve Fonyo has been in and out of the legal system for various reasons: assault with a weapon, fraud, impaired driving - the list goes on. In December of 2009, Steve Fonyo became only the fourth person in history... to have his Order of Canada revoked.
It's been said "Leadership isn't a sometimes thing", and that "Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit". As leaders, we do well to remember this - when you leave work, when you're out shopping, or when you move on from a position - your legacy continues to be written.
You are not only who you choose to be - but who you choose to be at all times. History will always continue to be written.
~Guy
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