The insurance industry moves at the speed of light. No soonerare you finished perusing a policy, reviewing an endorsement, orchecking claim details than the policy becomes dated or the detailschange.

Because everything moves so quickly today, it's worth notingthat life is short and precious. If you were to leave this world atthis very second, what would your legacy be? Did you pass alongsomething (career learnings, heritage, etc.) to make the industry,or perhaps more importantly the world, a better place? What I askof you is to do just that—seize each day's teachable moments asopportunities to leave your mark.

Hint: it's very easy. It starts with patience and kindness andmorphs into something you may be familiar with—“Paying it Forward.”I first became familiar with the concept after reading CatherineRyan Hyde's novel of the same name.

Opportunities to pay it forward abound in the insuranceindustry—from mentoring young insurance professionals (or evenyoung professionals teaching “seasoned” professionals how tomaximize their social media usage) to volunteering to serve onlocal insurance non-profit boards or committees (such as RIMS'local chapters, CPCU, etc.)

As a board member of Delaware Valley (DelVal) chapter of RIMS,my colleagues and I have the opportunity to give back to theindustry by fostering an environment of continuing education fortoday's insurance professionals and enabling future generations ofinsurance professionals to thrive. Through its charitable efforts,the DelVal chapter has raised more than $100,000 to benefit theSpencer Educational Foundation to date. Additionally, membersreceive reciprocity through the added benefit of key learning fromother insurance professionals.

Serendipitously, I recently attended the 22nd Annual ParadigmAward luncheon honoring Sue Schick, CEO of United Healthcare. To mydelight, Sue mentioned the concept of pay it forward, gave personalexamples as both a “receiver” and someone who did a good deed. Onepoignant part of Sue's speech rings true for anyone looking to getinvolved and truly make a difference: “By engaging in the world,you can help change it.”