As we step into 2026, many of us do so carrying a familiar list of resolutions—commitments to eat better, exercise more, spend more time with the things that matter, and to be nicer to non-UGA fans. But history tells us that resolutions alone rarely change us. If we have any real hope of keeping them, we must pause and ask a deeper question: why did we make them in the first place?

Honestly, it’s possible that a few of us are already renegotiating or at least like me, finding a loophole here and there…ha-ha! Sorry, back to the reason for resolutions….. Beyond resolutions lie deeper, more enduring questions: Why do we find the need to make them, and maybe more importantly, what is the purpose behind these resolutions? Purpose is the difference between a wish and a transformation. When our resolutions are rooted in a clear sense of meaning—service, growth, family, faith, or impact—they stop being obligations and start becoming direction.

The turn of the calendar is not magic; it is simply a moment of transition. What gives that moment power is alignment—when our daily habits match the person we resolved to become as 2025 came to a close. Without purpose, resolutions fade under pressure, busyness, and fatigue. With purpose, they become anchors. They remind us that discipline is not about restriction but about choosing who we want to be when no one is watching.

So, in 2026, I invite you to do more than set goals—I ask you to define your reason. If we reconnect our resolutions to something larger than ourselves, they gain staying power. And in doing so, we give ourselves the best chance not just to keep a promise for a few weeks, but to truly become the better version of ourselves we envisioned at the end of last year.

Mark Twain once wrote, “The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.” Purpose is not something reserved for life’s yearly resolutions, nor is it tied to the biggest milestones of our life. Purpose lives in the small choices, the ordinary moments, and the way we choose to live when no one is keeping score.

There’s a familiar proverb that captures this idea beautifully -- When is the best time to plant a tree? The answer is 20 years ago. When is the second-best time to plant a tree? Today. Purpose works the same way. We may wish we had discovered it earlier or committed more fully years ago—but the truth is, it is never too late to begin. The second-best time to find purpose in your life and in the small things you do daily is ….. right now!

Colonel Harland Sanders didn’t open his first Kentucky Fried Chicken franchise until his 60s, after countless rejections and setbacks. What began as a small act—cooking meals for travelers—eventually became a global enterprise rooted in serving others. Did you know that KFC is the #4 fast food chain in the world (only behind McDonald’s, Subway and Starbucks). His purpose didn’t arrive early, but when it did, it changed everything.

Sometimes purpose isn’t found in grand reinvention, but in small, consistent acts. There’s a simple story of a janitor at NASA who, when asked what his job was, replied, “I’m helping put a man on the moon.” His task may have seemed ordinary, but his sense of purpose elevated everything he did.

This idea sets the stage perfectly for our upcoming meeting, as we welcome Andy Christiansen, writer, speaker, and leadership coach, to the Roswell Rotary Club. Andy will challenge us with a deceptively simple but powerful topic:

“How to Find Purpose in Anything—in Under One Minute.”

In a world that often overcomplicates leadership and fulfillment, Andy’s message is both practical and refreshing. He reminds us that purpose is not something we wait for—it’s something we choose. Whether you’re leading an organization, serving your family, or volunteering in the community, purpose can be found in the why behind even the smallest actions. Andy’s work helps people rediscover meaning—especially when routines feel repetitive, roles feel unclear, or motivation runs thin. His message aligns perfectly with Rotary’s belief that service, when rooted in purpose, creates lasting impact not only for those we serve, but for ourselves.

As Rotarians, we already understand that our collective purpose is bigger than any one meeting, project, or fundraiser. But this program invites us to go one step further—to reflect on how individual purpose fuels collective good, and how clarity of purpose strengthens our commitment to “Service Above Self.” As we plant the seeds for 2026—both personally and as a club—may we remember that purpose doesn’t require perfect timing or ideal circumstances. It simply requires intention.

And the best time to begin…is today.

Sic Vos Non Vobis

Trummie Lee Patrick III