Today is the first day of the year and my first blog for 2024.

 

While many are working on their New Year resolutions, I’m working on maintaining a legacy for others to follow as it relates to adding value to others.

 

This past week, I took some time looking inward and was inspired by the legacy of others in my life who I followed as role models.

 

The question today is, what legacy are you working on?

 

I’m aware this might be an easy question to answer for some, but it requires more thought for others.

 

For several years, without placing a number, I have tried my best and continue maximizing my time for self-development and adding value to others.

 

In doing so, I want to become the best version of myself that I can be.

 

Every year, I take on different challenges that have stretched me beyond my comfort zone.

 

However, this is impossible without faith in the Almighty and giving God the praise.

 

Ironically, today concludes the seven days of the Kwanzaa greetings ending with “Faith” created in 1966, well over 50 years ago.

 

What a great way to start the week and a new year.

 

• December 26: “Umoja” — Unity
• December 27: “Kujichagulia” — Self-determination
• December 28: “Ujima” — Collective work and responsibility
• December 29: “Ujamaa” — Cooperative economics
• December 30: “Nia” — Purpose
• December 31: “Kuumba” — Creativity
• January 1: “Imani” — Faith.

Non-African Americans are also welcome to participate in greetings. The traditional greeting for them is “Joyous Kwanzaa.”

 

I’m thankful for what God has done for me.

 

I also know it’s important to align myself with the people I can learn from and those who want more out of life.

 

These people also stretch, search, and seek higher ground in life.

 

They say, “You become like the top five people you are around the most,” so choose wisely.

 

I’m constantly aware that sometimes elevation requires separation, which involves prayer.

 

You should know that not everyone or everything is good for you.

 

Today, I believe we can start the year 2024 correctly by saying thank you for how far we have come in life.

 

Maybe it’s being thankful for the clothes we wear or the food we eat.

 

Maybe, some have taken our health for granted as we wake up each morning without aches and pains.

 

Maybe we can see a doctor, dentist, or any other medical professional of our choice to assist in improving our quality of life.

 

Maybe it’s the relationships we cherish when people enter and exit our lives for a season.

 

Maybe it’s our homes and the electric bills we can afford all year.

 

Maybe it’s the goals we set for ourselves and the ability to remain laser-focused despite all the distractions life brings us.

 

In any case, I must say thank you and give my God the Glory.

 

Regardless of the religion you and I are practicing, we can’t do it alone.

 

Each one of us is constantly facing life challenges and must figure out how to deal with each situation that happens in our lives.

 

One of my favorite books is “The Peak to Peek Principle” by the late Robert Harold Schuler.   Many remember this American Christian televangelist, pastor, motivational speaker, and author for his five decades of television, the “Hour of Power.”

 

Ironically, his grandson, Bobby Schuller, carries on the legacy of the Hour of Power, which has been airing for over fifty years.

 

What a great accomplishment! With his wife’s help, Bobby Schuller lived out the legacy in real-time.

 

I say this because Robert Harold Schuler asks a question about the Peak to Peek Principle.  “Are you really satisfied with your life as it is today?  If you are, you’re in trouble.  For to be totally content is to have no unfulfilled dreams.  And when you stop dreaming you start dying.”

 

One of my dreams I accomplished in 2023 was becoming a “Distinguished Toastmaster” (DTM) in August 2023, which was my capstone event of the year.

 

However, those who are Toastmasters know that nothing is easy, and we must work to achieve the honor bestowed as a DTM.

 

As mentioned previously, we can’t do it alone, regardless of the religion you and I are practicing.  I relied on several people to assist me in my DTM project, and I wrote a thank you note to each of the five people towards this dream.

 

This is only one example of a dream that took several years to accomplish.

 

I’m aware that with God, all things are possible. When my mother died in late December 2016, I received her “Possibility Thinkers Bible” by Robert H. Schuller and Paul David Dunn.

 

This is another part of my legacy that I take into 2024.

 

As you prepare for the challenges in 2024, take some time and reflect on your accomplishments in 2023.

 

I recommend you start mapping out what you want to accomplish in 2024.

 

I’m sure many remember the parable of the mustard seed and the faith to move mountains.

 

Each of us, myself included, has moved mountains and overcome various obstacles in achieving our goals.

 

Let the journey begin as you start another chapter of your life in 2024!

 

As I exit my home’s front door, I have a plaque on my wall that says, “Don’t pray for life to be easy, but pray for yourself to be strong.”

 

What will your legacy be?

 

“You are not defined by what you do, but who you are.  Be the change. Start changing your life today so that you are your legacy.”-Betsy Harvey

 

I pray that in 2024, you will continue to dream, move mountains, keep the faith, and create a legacy for others to follow!

 

Happy New Year and Be Well!