In many ways I’m just like them. I teach and advise others.
How well do you know your parents? Your ancestors? How are they influencing you?
I learned something new about Dad recently. I was looking through a folder and found more information about his life and military career.
This photograph was taken while Dad was in the U.S Army. He spent 20 years in the military then we moved home to St. Croix, Virgin Islands.
Here’s what I didn’t know. The Army wanted to promote Dad to the rank of Captain.
Dad said NO to that offer.
Then they offered to promote Dad to the rank of Major, and he said NO to that as well.
I don’t know all the reasons why Dad didn’t want to serve as an officer in the military, but one thing was crystal clear. He didn’t need a title to define him. He was always “in charge,” leading in his own way.
Dad encouraged me to be a leader too.
Here’s a challenge for you in 2025. Why not embrace the best qualities of your ancestors and be a leader wherever you go?
But let me remind you: leadership comes at a cost.
Not everyone will like you. Be okay with that.
Not everyone will understand you. Be okay with that.
Not everyone will appreciate you. Be okay with that.
In spite of this, choose to be your best in 2025.Tap into the divine energy of your ancestors—their perseverance, their vision, their leadership.
How was your first day of 2025? What did you do? Who did you spend it with?
And what are your goals for the new year? I spent the day at home with my family.
I’m excited about the new year. I’ll be working on my documentary film in 2025, and I’ll also be leading small groups to sacred sites of Nigeria and Benin. (If you’re interested in coming let me know).
Be focused as you move forward in 2025. Be determined. Be dedicated.
I also think it’s important to have a mentor in the area you wish to grow in. A mentor’s job is not only to guide, but to push you out of your comfort zone.
I have spiritual mentors, financial mentors, and business mentors.
This photograph was taken during my travels in Nigeria last month. This man is a mentor to many. He’s a babalawo, or traditional priest in the Ifa spiritual tradition of the Yoruba people.
Like many of the elders I met, he’s been practicing his craft since childhood, and he’s still fully committed.
One of his gifts is teaching the art of divination. During one of his sessions, he was trying to help a student understand how everything in the universe and in divination ebbs and flows. It always has and always will.
“Life zigzags,” he said over and over again. You need to remember this as you move forward in 2025. “Life will zigzag.”
Don’t begin 2025 thinking everything should magically go your way. It won’t.
Life will zigzag, but it can be fun. This is where the growth happens. Maybe your ancestors have a better plan.
Get a mentor. Stay focused. Stay in the game.
Let’s see what 2025 has in store for us. I will be here to support you.
Love James
Just wanted to send a quick note to say I’m grateful for you and look forward to sharing more inspiration with you in 2025.
Do you celebrate the holidays? If so, how? I’ll be spending time at home with my family. I’m sending you good energy.
I just returned from Nigeria, West Africa. I’ve been to Nigeria four times, but my most recent trip was the one I enjoyed the most.
In 2025, I will be leading small groups to the sacred sites of Nigeria, and possibly Benin too. If this is something you are interested in, please let me know.
This pic was taken at Abeokuta, Nigeria, West Africa.
In the Yoruba language, Abeokuta means “under the rock.”
I’m standing near the bottom of an important historical site, sacred to the Yoruba people.
The sacred site, Olumo Rock, is a huge, boulder formation that protected our ancestors during ancient wars.
I hope to you get to experience it one day.
I travelled to Nigeria to help one of my clients. But I was also scouting locations for my documentary film project, Across the King’s River.
My trip to Nigeria changed me so much. I’m not the same person. The person who returned is not the person who went.
I believe another chapter of your life is awaits you, and that your ancestors have a plan to help you fulfill your purpose.
Don’t let past experiences stop you from opening your heart, taking risks, and living again.
I look forward to hearing from you. Happy Holidays once again.
I recently began a new project. I’m doing a podcast series on Personal Finance for an organization called Black Executive Men.
In the first podcast, I interviewed Maurice Wilson, an expert on building wealth in the stock market.
If you find value in this interview: please leave a comment on the channel of BEM (Black Executive Men).
I’m on a mission to promote financial literacy and generational wealth.
I wrote about investing in the stock market in my book, Meditations Across the King’s River. I also shared other wealth building tips too.
The stock market is a proven path to building wealth. Unfortunately, many of us do not invest in the market, nor do we don’t take the time to educate ourselves. Let’s change this narrative.
My guest, Maurice L. Wilson is an engineer turned financial advisor who is passionate about helping clients build generational wealth in the stock market.
You don’t need a lot of money to get started in the stock market, he says. And investing doesn’t have to be complicated.
Check out the interview and please comment and share. We can’t afford to get left behind.
