“We are the beneficiaries of decisions, kind gestures, and actions from those who came before us. This also means our actions and contributions plant seeds for others. They may lie dormant for years, but when the time is right, they’ll take root and grow.” – Karen Eber

Recently, my good friend Sean Gaillard shared a blog post titled Send in the Gophers by Karen Eber, author of The Perfect Story. To briefly sum it up, the post weaves the story of Mount St. Helens’ 1980 eruption with the resilience of ecosystems and the transformative power of small actions. After the volcanic devastation, scientists introduced gophers to dig through the ash and pumice. These small creatures exposed the soil beneath, sparking vegetation and life to thrive decades later. Eber beautifully parallels this to our lives, illustrating how seemingly small actions and collective efforts create lasting ripple effects, inspiring change and hope.

This post arrived at the perfect moment. This time of year often feels joyful and overwhelming all at once. The conversations I had with educators this week reflected just that. One, in particular, stood out: an educator shared how the holiday season brings reminders of a parent who is no longer here to share its joy.

As I sat across from her, I could feel the weight of her emotions. I, too, lost someone close to me this year—someone who was not just family but one of my biggest supporters. Her words echoed the emptiness I’ve felt, but as we continued to talk, our conversation shifted. We talked about life, education, and our students, who inspire us to keep moving forward.

She shared a challenge her students were facing with a particular learning experience in mastering a theme in the literature they were reading. Together, we brainstormed ways she could provide pathways, planting seeds for her students to strengthen their understanding. What began as a conversation about teaching evolved into something more profound, a reminder of who we are and the seeds we continuously plant for the future. As I share in my book, The Leader Inside, “Every experience you will ever have leads to the type of educator you wish to become.”

Later in the week, another conversation brought this full circle. A former colleague shared that I had inadvertently inspired him to read aloud in classrooms, connecting with students and teachers through books. This simple action planted a seed that grew into a new way for him to engage with his community.

These moments reminded me of Karen Eber’s words: “Your seemingly small contributions can spark change, ignite hope, and create a legacy that lasts long after you’re gone.” Even when we feel unseen or unheard, someone is always listening. Our actions, no matter how small—create ripples, and those ripples inspire others to take action too.

At the heart of it all is the power of collective effort. Just like the gophers at Mount St. Helens, our small, consistent actions can transform barren ground into something thriving and alive.

As we move through this season, let’s remember the seeds we are planting. Whether it’s in the lives of our students, through conversations with colleagues, or in the quiet gestures that go unnoticed, our contributions matter. They take root, grow, and eventually inspire a legacy that outlives us.

Keep digging, keep planting, and trust that when the time is right, the seeds you’ve planted will grow into something extraordinary.