How one woman’s passion inspired others to fight for theirs … 

"... on sigriðarstigur
I wonder at my legacy 
such as it is 
I’ve been a leader of people 
driven by my values 
remaining true 
to who I’m meant to be ..."

As I’m heading home from my trip, I’m ever conscious that there’s an obvious reason this feels different than other homecomings.  For the first time since my student days, this has felt like a trip rather than a holiday.  I won’t be heading back into the office on my return, as I have done so many times previously.  

I can’t deny that my job has been a huge part of my life and my identity for three decades, and yet I’m reluctant to say that it defined me; I don’t think it ever did.  I’ve known people who have been so invested in their professional roles that they can’t let go.  I’m not one to judge, and maintaining links with your old firm, or working in a similar role beyond retirement, clearly works for many people.  But for me, retiring is about starting a brand new chapter.  I’m looking forward to having time to do other things that interest me (such as this blog!), to learn new skills and explore parts of the world I haven’t yet visited. 

Which brings me to this week’s poem, which is based on the true story of an Icelandic woman who wouldn’t give up.  She fought all her life to prevent a mighty waterfall, partly owned by her family, from being exploited for financial gain.  Her father was tricked into selling the lease and she supported him in fighting a legal battle, which they ultimately lost.  Despite the courts going against them, Gullfoss was left intact, because the new owners failed to honour the terms of the sale.  

But that’s not the part that really inspired me.  What inspired me most about Sigriður Tómasdóttir was her tenacity and her absolute passion for nature.  She was determined that the waterfall be allowed to flow freely as it had always done.  Not only that, her courage to stand up to officials inspired others within Iceland to respect nature on their doorstep.  They began to appreciate nature for what it was, rather than what we might make it.  As a result, many refer to Sigriður as Iceland’s first environmentalist.

This fight for her beloved waterfall was her life’s work.  She was skilled in many other ways, but it was her commitment to Gullfoss’s cause, that defined her.  I don’t think she would ever have let it go.  It made me wonder what, if anything, would I hold onto because I cared so deeply.  If not my professional role, then what? 

I guess it boils down to the same thing that undoubtedly drove Sigriður: values.  It was my values that determined the job I did and how I did it.  It’s those same values that influence how I interact with others, and how I live my life.  Perhaps that’s why I found it easy to let go of my professional role because the foundations on which it was built continue to shape me. 

I wonder how aware Sigriður was of her legacy?  She would’ve had no idea that a monument would be built to honour her at Gullfoss, and a walkway named after her.  Do any of us truly appreciate our impact on others?  My ex-boss used to quote Maya Angelou to her workforce on a regular basis:  “people will forget what you did and said, but they won’t forget the way you made them feel”.  

I did my best, on many occasions, not so much to impose my values on my team but to impart advice that was rooted in what I believed for myself.  I trust they listened at least some of the time.  I believe they did, and I watched them thrive with pride.  The foundations have been set and that’s as much as I can do.  I hope they will continue to thrive, which is also my hope for you. May the thing that you hold on to, whatever it is, bring you joy.