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The Year of Legacy -- January 1, 2005

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Kristen and I want to build a house. We spent New Year's weekend driving around central Pennsylvania, looking at pieces of land. We saw a wide variety, from developments to farm land to building plots along rural routes. We found one situated directly beneath massive power lines, one next to a freeway overpass and one on a hill so steep all I could do was envision Homer Simpson bouncing down it yelling "doh, doh, DOH". Needless to say, it was a frustrating weekend.

But, seven hours being a passenger gives you time to think, coincidentally one of my favorite things to do on January 1st. I had time to reflect, and time to focus on the important things in my life.

Last year I made the resolution to make fewer resolutions and more results. This year I'm just making one:

2005 will be The Year of Legacy

Most people don't think about legacy at my age, but I'm 34 now and have lived three decades past my life expectancy. I'm not planning to exit any time soon, but I have a unique understanding that time is borrowed, all time for all people. So, I think of legacy.

I'll make this The Year of Legacy in four ways:

First, I will build a magnificent house. It doesn't have to be huge, or outrageously expensive, or even bizarre. But it will be a house that when people drive by, they poke the person next to them and say "check out that house."

Second, I will create financial stability for my family like we've never had before. I intend to grow my business by 66% and double my personal income.

Third, I will create legacy within my children. I'll create memories of times that will be the things of their earliest memories. When someone asks "what is your first memory" my children will smile.

Finally, I will dedicate more time to SunFyre. This little blog has become big over the past several years. I think it has the capability to do more, and to do more good. It will be my sole philanthropy project.

As I begin my year, I encourage you to make resolutions or set goals or define your action steps. Whatever you call them, create purpose and mission for your life. Don't get bogged down by "lose weight", "pay off credit cards", or "give more to charity". While these are all easy-to-say, hard-to-do resolutions, they aren't at the heart of what you want to do. Make resolutions that are at the heart of your being. Be healthy, create goodness, create security, embrace life, or perhaps establish a legacy.

Happy New Year!

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