As I prepare for my upcoming birthday next week, I compelled to consider what legacy I am leaving. When I was little, I was 100% positive I would be a lawyer. To the disappointment of my grandmother, I don’t see that ever happening. Instead, my life is nothing like I envisioned it would be as a child.
Honestly, when I was little, I never planned to follow my dreams. I choose to play the clarinet in Jr. High because my older sister played the clarinet. I told everyone I wanted to be a lawyer because my family told me I would make a great lawyer. I studied economics in college because most of my friends were going to the business school. Practically, I thought I would have a leg up on my resume if I choose a different degree.
Practicality is ingrained. In college, I had a saying, “Major in something practical. Minor in something you’re passionate about.” It seems like good advice. Unfortunately, many of us major in the practical dreams that are easy to achieve, and we minor in the radical visions we are personally gifted and equipped to make a unique impact.
It’s time to unlearn being practical for the sake of practicality.
In other words, “I am not throwing away my shot!” Okay, maybe I have been watching Hamilton too much, but you get my point. I’m tired of accepting the life other voices have deemed as acceptable.
What’s the point of God uniquely creating and gifting us, if we are just going to be practical?
Throwing practicality out the door, here is the legacy I’m working on. I am empowering Black women and men into believing in the gifts, talents, and abilities God gave them, so they can start and sustain creative, innovative, and passion-filled businesses that are financially profitable. I will support so many faith-based Black entrepreneurs that we will bring our callings outside the four walls of the church and create self-sustain communities. I will proactively advocate for racial justice and to radically dismantle economic systems that prevent our full and equitable inclusion.
It seems like a good legacy to work on for my 32nd birthday. What legacy are you working on?
Recent Comments