When Ndinini Kimesera Sikar took the TED stage, she delivered a moving reminder that each of us stands between the generations before us and the ones that follow. Her talk,You Are the Bridge to the Next Generation, draws on her experience as a Maasai leader, educator, and activist—showing how traditions, stories, and values must be passed on with intention if they are to survive and evolve.

Her message transcends culture. Whether you’re a parent, grandparent, mentor, teacher, or simply someone with life experience, you are the link that can shape what the next generation carries forward—how they define purpose, lead with integrity, and make decisions that build a better world.

We often think of legacy in terms of wealth or titles. But legacy is more than what we leave behind—it’s what we live and share while we’re here. You have the power to be an active bridge: to mentor, guide, and empower others to go further than you ever imagined.

Here’s how to begin.

Share the Stories That Made You

We are wired for stories. Neuroscience shows that stories activate more areas of the brain than facts alone, increasing empathy, understanding, and memory retention (Harvard Business Review). Sharing personal stories of challenge, success, and resilience helps younger generations build emotional intelligence and see life as a journey—full of learning curves and growth.

Action Step: Set aside time to write or record a life story each month. Use tools likeStoryworth orLife Legacy Cards to spark meaningful reflections. Share them with loved ones—or archive them for future generations.

Pass Down Values, Not Just Advice

Advice tells people what to do. Values show them how to think and choose. By modeling and sharing the principles that guide you—integrity, empathy, curiosity—you empower others to navigate life with confidence and clarity, even when your voice isn’t there.

Quote: “The goal is to compound what you’ve learned and the contacts you have to get closer and closer to the most interesting issues and relationships that fill you with passion and purpose.”

When we pass down values like compassion, perseverance, or lifelong learning, we multiply the impact far beyond a single conversation.

Action Step: Try using theThink Ahead Legacy Toolkit to explore what matters most to you and how to express it to others. Host a “values dinner” or discussion with your family or mentees to share and hear what matters to them too.

Become a Mentor—or a Reverse Mentee

Bridging generations isn’t just about teaching—it’s about mutual growth. Mentorship is a two-way exchange. Older adults bring wisdom and context. Younger generations bring innovation, perspective, and new tools. According to aNational Mentoring Partnership study, mentored youth are 55% more likely to enroll in college, and adults who mentor report greater life satisfaction and purpose.

Action Step: Join intergenerational programs likeEncore.org’s CoGenerate orTen Thousand Coffees, which pair professionals across ages to learn from each other. You can also mentor students or emerging leaders throughADPList orMentorNet.

Inspire a Vision Beyond Yourself

Being a bridge means looking forward as much as back. Encourage the next generation to not only succeed—but to redefine success. Help them envision lives filled with purpose, contribution, and meaningful relationships.

A study published in The Journal of Positive Psychology found that those who see their lives as contributing to something larger than themselves report higher well-being and resilience (source).

Action Step: Start a future journal with someone younger than you. Use prompts like “What would you love to be remembered for?” or “What problem in the world do you want to help solve?” Try using journaling apps likeDay One or paper guides likeThe Future You Journal.

Build Together—Don’t Just Talk

Being a bridge also means helping people cross. It’s not just about giving wisdom—it’s about walking alongside others. Whether it’s a business project, a shared creative endeavor, or a volunteer effort, building something together can be the most powerful mentorship of all.

Action Step: Volunteer as a family or with mentees using platforms likeVolunteerMatch orCatchafire (for skilled volunteering). Create impact together, and you’ll deepen your bond while amplifying your legacy.

You Are Already the Bridge—Now Strengthen It

You don’t need to be famous or wealthy to change lives. You already are the bridge—just by being here, learning, and caring. But the bridge gets stronger the more you walk across it—with others.

Your wisdom, your scars, your questions, and your courage—they’re all pieces of the foundation that will support generations to come.

As Ndinini Kimesera Sikar reminds us, we each have a responsibility to carry the past forward, while clearing a path for the future.

So what will you do this week to bridge the gap—to show someone else what’s possible, and to honor those who showed you?

Join the conversation in the Age Brilliantly forum and share how you are—or want to be—the bridge to the next generation:
 https://agebrilliantly.org/forum/