Each New Year presents a gift of 525,600. What we do with the gift of these minutes determines the quality of our life, the level of our happiness, the value of the memories we create and the difference we can make in the world.
Our lives are determined by how we choose to live our 525,000 minutes each year. Minutes spent stressed or worrying are wasted and none of our unused minutes can be saved for the next year. None can be given to others and unused ones will be lost forever. When we look at the New Year from this perspective, it helps us realize the gift we’ve been given.
Therefore, in this New Year as the clock begins to tick, bringing my tenure of office as Supreme Knight to a close, I would like to share with you some thoughts’ on how best to start spending your 525,000 minutes.
Firstly, spend time with people you love. Cherish your family and the Marshallan fraternity of brothers and sisters. You will realize that when you look back at a year, the things that usually stand out are times spent with loved ones, and the moments of connection with one another.
Be positive. Realize you do have a choice, and choose to be positive in your thoughts and your actions. Trust yourself and your abilities. Just because something didn’t yet work out as planned, doesn’t mean it won’t work out. Keep moving in the right direction. There is always a way and you can’t lose unless you give up.
The world is evolving very fast amidst phenomenal changes. My fellow Marshallans, I urge to embrace change. Resisting change is like trying to swim upstream. Instead, expand your world. Learn about other cultures and celebrate your differences and find common ground.
I entreat you to love life! Do what you love and love what you do. Happiness comes from spending minutes doing things that bring you joy.
Listen to your inner voice. Many times, wisdom comes to us in silence. Also strive to live with faith and hope as a part of your life instead of apart from them.
Spread kindness. Connect with one another. Share a smile. Perform random acts of kindness. Give away things you don’t need. Share love and resources with others, remembering that blessing flows more easily through a stream without a dam.
Always be yourself. You are unique. You are special, so let your light shine. You have no limitations except those that you place on yourself. Dream BIG! Dream big dreams and trust that you’re on the right path to make them happen.
Finally, my dear Marshallans, I urge you to welcome and embrace the new year. A new year filled with more than 525,000 minutes is waiting for you. Invest them well. Make each one of them count, and have a blessed and very Happy New Year!
Fraternally yours,
Sir Kt. Derx Baffour
(Supreme Knight)