Question 141: How have you contributed to the problem you are trying to solve?

Sunday, August 9th, 2026

At first glance, it sounds like a question about legacy. But the more I sat with it, the more I realized it’s really a question about cause and effect.

We spend a lot of time thinking about the things we’ve accumulated: the money, the business, the accomplishments, the possessions. This question strips all of that away and asks a much harder question:

What are the habits that created those things in the first place?

And then it gets even harder.

Which habits are actually transferable? Which ones would help someone else build a meaningful life of their own?

For me, the richest gift wouldn’t be any particular achievement. It would be the foundation underneath all of it.

It would be my faith.

Not simply because I believe in God, but because faith shapes how I experience life. It gives me confidence during uncertainty, gratitude during abundance, and peace during difficult seasons. That foundation is reinforced through small, consistent actions: fasting, listening to the Bible, attending church, surrounding myself with faith-driven people, exchanging daily devotionals with friends, participating in ministries, and finding ways to keep God present throughout my day.

Those habits remind me that there is a purpose larger than myself.

The second gift would be my commitment to health.

Daily meditation helps me regulate my emotions, improve my sleep, and create space to pause before reacting. Eating well, moving my body, focusing on strength and mobility, and caring for my physical health gives me the energy to show up fully for the people and responsibilities that matter most.

If I could wrap those two things together—faith and health—and place a bow on top, they would be the richest inheritance I could leave behind.

Because from that foundation, everything else becomes possible.

You can pursue ambitious goals without becoming consumed by them. You can build wealth without being controlled by it. You can experience success without allowing it to define your identity.

What’s fascinating is that the habits that have contributed most to my happiness and fulfillment are largely free.

They shape your values. They influence who you spend time with. They increase the likelihood of meaningful friendships, healthy relationships, purposeful work, and opportunities to serve others.

And if I could add one final habit to the inheritance, it would be this:

Teach.

Look for opportunities to help others grow.

One of the great paradoxes of life is that when you genuinely try to teach and elevate others, you end up elevating yourself. You learn more deeply. You hold yourself to a higher standard. You become more intentional about your own growth.

Maybe that’s the lesson hidden inside this question.

The most valuable inheritance isn’t what we leave behind.

It’s what we repeatedly practice while we’re here.