Happy New Year's Eve!
It's the last day of 2022.
What does that mean for you?
Attending a party? 🥳
Wearing something sparkly? 🕺🪩💃
Writing your goals? ✍️
Chilling at home? 🙏
Whatever way you ring in the New Year, I hope it is safe and fulfilling.
If you've been following along today is the last entry in what I'm calling 33 life lessons for 33 years of life.
An outgrowth of my 100 words a day writing practice, 34 days ago I realized it was going to be 33 days until my birthday so I decided to commit to writing and publishing a 'life lesson' every day until today.
Like 2022, this 33-day creative sprint seems to have ended as fast as it began.
The practice has not only helped my writing, but also clarified my thinking, revealed new thoughts, created more connections, and given me more confidence.
I decided to close out the life lessons with separate but connected lessons that will serve as the name for a big project I'll be working on throughout 2023: Hometown Heroism.
Yesterday was about Hometown, today is about Heroism. 2023 is about what it means when we put them together.
Defined as 'great bravery’, heroism isn't hard to understand or see in the world today. Marvel movies draw millions at the box office every year.
Police, firemen, EMT's, and military service members are recognized as real-world heroes when they are fulfilling their duties.
Good deeds and acts of heroism don't go unnoticed. There are flashes of light amidst the vicious cycle of negative news headlines. But the gravity and drama of life's moments seem to capture most of the attention.
It is in this place of fear, uncertainty, and doubt that heroes are born.
Perhaps the most important point I could make about heroism is that it does not take a costume, special powers, or special equipment.
It takes courage. It takes a mind that believes in positive potential and takes decisive action.
And we are all capable of these things.
When I envision Hometown Heroism, I see a place where communities can be encouraged, enriched, and empowered.
Where changemakers are given a platform to rally those who resonate with common causes to do great work together.
A place to go to learn and discover ways to exhibit “strength for two”.
I recently learned that was the meaning of heros in ancient Greece, 'strength for two' or 'protector'.
I think that's what great leadership is about. Leading ourselves first so that we can better serve others.
As I close out this 33rd Life Lesson and reflect on the 32 that have come before it, I recognize some are similar to the ones before it. The ideas aren't entirely brand new or groundbreaking either. And I'm growing more comfortable in the fact that sometimes the most impactful thoughts and actions are found in those the localized experience of them rather than the headline or movies about them.
Why is the book typically better than the movie? Because your imagination created much of how you experienced that story.
What's better than the book?
Living a life story of your own. Where you embark on a quest, perhaps with some friends and acquaintances along the way. Where you slay dragons, gain skills, and return to your hometown ready to help others navigate theirs.
Are you ready for 2023?!
Let's make it our strongest yet! 💪
🧠🫀🔥
P.S.
Thank you so so much for reading! 🙏