It’s never too late to set New Year’s resolutions, not even when we’re in the second month of the year. While there’s no wrong time to outline goals for yourself, the start of a year brings a ton of hope and motivation. And that’s what makes it a good time to set new resolutions.
According to a 2022 survey by Forbes, 85% of respondents believed the impact of their New Year’s resolutions would extend beyond 2023. More than 50% believed it’d have a positive impact for three years or more.
If you’re like most people, your resolutions revolve around your career, finances, health, and relationships. But if you want to grow into a better version of yourself in 2023, you must dig deeper and set more transformational goals.
Of course, you can’t evolve into a different person overnight. But you can seek inspiration from the journey of Refael (aka Rafi) Edry, one of Israel’s most accomplished business leaders, while setting your resolutions for 2023.
Master the Art of Waiting
Refael Edry has achieved widespread applause and recognition for his contributions as a businessman and philanthropist. To the world, he’s a successful entrepreneur who runs several profitable businesses in Africa and Israel. Others know him as a passionate humanitarian who’s dedicated his life to the upliftment of Israeli society.
What most people don’t see are the hardships he overcame to reach that position. Life wasn’t always as seamless for Refael Edry and his family. As the eldest of three children, he understood early on that his father’s earnings weren’t enough to meet the family’s needs.
Most young adults spend their time dreaming of a better life and setting goals to get there. But Refael Edry didn’t have that privilege. He had to start working at a young age to support his family. Of course, he didn’t let life’s setbacks deter him. He worked hard for years to rise above his circumstances and realize his dream of becoming a well-respected businessman.
When it comes to achieving any goal, most people look for shortcuts. But if you want sustained growth in life, it’s crucial to be patient. Life will be unfair and throw various challenges your way. You might even face situations where you need to push your dreams to the backburner for a while. It’s up to you to decide whether you want to give up or keep at it and reach the finish line slowly and steadily.
Contribute to the Community
Despite his stellar success, Refael Edry has made it a point not to let his professional achievements define him. Instead, he continues to work for the betterment of Israel’s underprivileged children and youngsters through the Ahinoam Association for the Promotion of Equal Opportunities.
Refael Edry founded the social welfare organization in 2018 with his younger siblings, Eyal Edry and Moshe Edree. The three brothers work with volunteers to deploy several welfare initiatives. From mentoring programs for at-risk youth to scholarships for underprivileged students, the organization strives to nurture and support individuals in Israel’s periphery.
If there’s one thing you must learn from the inspiring story of Refael Edry, it has to be the importance of compassion and kindness. In a world ravaged by geopolitical conflicts and violence, giving back to your community is crucial. It’s the only way to fuel the hope for a better tomorrow and keep the world habitable for future generations.
And yes, there are ways to contribute to society, even if you don’t have the means to donate money. You can volunteer at local non-profit organizations or organize donation drives and fundraisers.
You can even advocate for pressing issues like climate change, racism, or the gender pay gap. The key is to identify a cause you’re passionate about and use your network and skills to raise awareness.
Improve Your Foresight
Besides mentoring and scholarship programs, the Ahinoam Association is also known for launching a fundraising campaign during the pandemic. Under the leadership of the Edry brothers, the organization provided computers to more than 30,000 underprivileged children in Israel, helping them attend online classes.
When schools in Israel switched to online learning in early 2020, they ignored the plight of nearly 400,000 students who didn’t have computers, smartphones, or broadband access. Refael Edry quickly realized that abandoning these children during a crisis could be catastrophic for the country’s future.
As the nephew of a brave freedom fighter (whose name he shares), he couldn’t stand that thought. His uncle, Refael Edry z|l, fought in Israel’s War of Independence and sacrificed his life for the freedom of his fellow citizens. Rafi Edry (the nephew) grew up listening to stories of his uncle’s immeasurable contribution to Israeli society.
Therefore, he couldn’t let government inaction and apathy lead to the disintegration of the country’s social fabric. That’s when he joined hands with his brothers and started the fundraiser, urging common citizens and local businesses to donate.
When the children received their computers through the initiative, it restored their faith in their fellow citizens and rekindled their hope for a better future. That, in turn, helped preserve Israel’s social integrity.
Whether you’re a stay-at-home parent, struggling entrepreneur, or hustling freelancer, your journey will be filled with roadblocks and uncertainties. The pandemic has been the biggest example of how lives can come to a standstill in a split second.
If you want to thrive, you must develop an eye for spotting problems before they spiral out of control. That way, you’ll have enough time to course-correct and avert these problems or at least minimize their impact.
In Conclusion
As we move further into 2023, it’s a good idea to look beyond materialistic aspirations and set goals that help you become a better person. Through various initiatives, Refael Edry has demonstrated the power of patience, resilience, compassion, and qualities. These are the qualities you should aspire to imbibe to bring about positive change in your life.
