"母は私を見て言いました カマラ あなたは多くのことの最初の人になるかもしれませんが 最後の人にはならないように気をつけなさい"

Kamala Harris' mother imparted some pretty powerful wisdom to her. The core idea is simple: if you’re breaking new ground, don’t just be satisfied with being the first. Make sure you leave the door open for others to follow. In other words, pave the way for others so they too can achieve greatness.

When Harris shared this nugget of wisdom, it was during her campaign and later when she became the Vice President of the United States. It’s a big deal because she’s the first female, first Black, and first South Asian Vice President. Her mom's advice highlighted the importance of not just focusing on her own success, but also on creating opportunities for others.

Let's look at a real-life example to see this in action. Think about Sally Ride, the first American woman in space. She didn’t just go to space and call it a day. Nope. She knew her journey was more than that. After her time at NASA, she founded Sally Ride Science to inspire young girls to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). She didn’t just aim to be the first woman in space. She wanted to make sure she wasn’t the last.

So how can you apply this wisdom? If you’re in a position where you’re breaking barriers, look around and figure out how you can help others get there too. Maybe you’re the first person in your family to go to college. Great! But don’t stop there. Share your experiences, mentor younger relatives, or start a scholarship fund if you can.

Imagine you’re the first person at your company to develop a new type of product. Instead of keeping all that knowledge to yourself, train your coworkers. Write up a guide, hold workshops, and make sure everyone has the tools they need to build on your success. It’s about shifting the mindset from individual achievement to collective progress.

Picture this: you're a high school soccer team captain, and you're the first one to ever score a hat-trick in the state finals. That's huge. But instead of just basking in the glory, you spend time after practice helping your teammates improve their skills. You organize extra training sessions, share your techniques, and create a culture where everyone believes they can achieve the same. Eventually, your team wins the championship, and it’s because you didn’t just stand alone at the top—you lifted everyone up with you.

So, next time you find yourself in a pioneering role, ask yourself: What can I do to make sure I’m not the last? How can I help others follow in my footsteps? By doing so, you’re not only honoring those who helped you get there but also ensuring that the path remains open for the many who will come after you.