Tomorrow we will be on the eve of another year. Last week I turned a year older. In my decades of life I have experienced a lot. My father has told me on more than one occasion that I have lived 6 lives in one. Sure, I have gained knowledge, material wealth; however I have made mistakes, and lost material wealth too. I took good risks and I took bad risks. Of all my decades of life, sometimes living on the edge, as well as in fear of the edge; I have discovered who I am, what I am about, what I do, how I do it, and my why. I know my Purpose and my Mission. I even have it written out. I also know, as I gather most of you do too, that life is not fair, and no one really owes you anything. However, life is a gift, and you owe it to yourself to live it full and well.

So I am going to ask you, do you know who you are, what you are about, to Whom you serve, what you do, and your why? Do you know what gives you joy, provides fulfillment, makes you come alive, and rise in the morning to seize the gift of a brand new day? The Japanese call this “Ikigai”. The author & speaker Simon Sinek calls it your “Why”.

As the New Year of 2022 arrives, what aspirations, goals and dreams have you put in the back burner? What kind of life do you want to live? What is it that makes you come alive? Do you know your Purpose, and Mission? What is your vision for your future and those that you love?

Maybe you are living your best life now. That is wonderful! Is there room for improvement? Is there others that you want to share your joy with, and inspire? We weren’t designed to keep it to ourselves, and live it alone. We were created and designed to live it with others.

I am not as naive that I would say that material wealth doesn’t make many things easier. I have had it, and not had it. It is nice to have it. However, material wealth can be lost as easily as one life event. Your health, time, and your close relationships are priceless. Invest in those two, and the returns will be substantial in fulfillment, contentment, and joy. The good life isn’t about how many toys you have or money you make, it is about how many lives you touch and good you create.

If you have not done so, or doing so, maybe truly seek to discover who you are, what you are about, to Whom you serve, what you do, and why. Write down those goals, make a written and measurable plan to achieve them, and as the new year arrives, take action, and launch each day with Purpose, navigate with Principles, and explore with Passion!

May your new year be healthy, happy, and filled with much joy.

~ DW

Hebrews 12:1-3