The Beginning is Near

A couple of weeks ago I heard an Advent message by Robin Anderson, a thought-leader and Baptist preacher.? Robin talked about a humorous meme that frequently makes its way through pastoral communities of a person standing on a street corner with a sign reading, “The Beginning is Near.” ?This, of course, stands in stark contrast to the more stereotypical image of a someone standing in a public area prophesying the end of humanity.? I love the message of hope that is deeply embedded in the idea of beginnings.? And as we approach the dawn of the New Year tomorrow, many of us are in need of hope.? After all, it’s been a tough few years.? And if we are honest, many people like myself assumed that when the pandemic ended, things would feel normal again.? For many, if not most, that didn’t happen.? We collectively continue to struggle with the lingering sense of anxiety, panic, and stress, borne out of or at least worsened during COVID.? And as an industry, the profession of prosecutors has been under intense pressure.? We have sought to navigate the difficult terrain of social unrest that has called for a more equitable justice system, alongside a perception or a rise in violent crime and our communities demanding solutions.? We have been asked to do more with less and we live with a fear that if we misstep, the news or social media will pounce on us without mercy.? Like so many others, we too need the hope that new beginnings can bring.

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On my run yesterday I heard a podcast from one of my favorite authors, Hal Elrod. ?The episode was entitled, “The Miracle Approach to Making 2024 Your Best Year Ever.”? I absolutely love the audacity of that title.? The idea that we could have the best year of our life, amidst the enormous challenges and disruption about us is nothing short of amazing.? It is hope that can energize us to new heights.? But as I listened to the show, what really stood apart was how reminiscent the message was of an expression I have shared here often from my mentor, a career prosecutor and teacher, Nancy Oglesby.? Her mantra to students for a long time has been, “I control the effort not the outcome.”? Elrod’s message was similar.? If you want to have the best year ever, the criteria that you select for measuring what makes this year the best, must be things that are within your control. We can’t control pandemics, the stock market, elections, illnesses, or even the death of loved ones.? If the way we measure our success is through a barometer we can’t influence, we have set ourselves up for failure, misery, and depression.? When we do this, our happiness can be stolen in a moment by the vicissitudes of a fickle universe. ??

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What is the contrast to this?? It is found in our effort.? How we show up on a daily basis in our work, relationships, community, etc.? It is a commitment to excellence where we learn to become proud of the input and less concerned about the output.? And there is no activity that better highlights this than goal setting, something I imagine a few of you out there will be doing over the next couple of days.? There is a fundamental problem when we set a goal whose success is measured by someone else’s decisions, not our own.? Let’s say that in your heart you are an aspiring author.? If you choose to express your goal as having a book published, your sense of accomplishment is in the hands of another.? But if your goal is to write a high-quality book, you have placed that control within yourself.? And let’s be honest, if you show up at your best and produce excellent work, publication (or whatever dream you hold), is a natural byproduct.? The other beauty of this approach is that it rewrites what goal setting is all about.? It becomes less about the target and more about the journey.? I’ve ran a few marathons in my life and the moment of crossing the finishing line is glorious. But it is just that—a moment—and one that is fleeting at best.? But while that moment passes, the path that led up to it is what endures. Training for a marathon builds endurance, changes your mindset, and creates discipline. Those are characteristics that remain with you and change other aspects of your life long after the race is done.

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Do we have the audacity to decide that 2024 is going to be our best year ever?? What would a year of personal transformation look like that is not dependent on the actions of other people, but that is deeply rooted in changing how we put ourselves forward on a daily basis??

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I would be willing to guess that most of us decided to enter this profession because we wanted to profoundly transform our communities and improve the lives of others.? We saw within prosecution the capacity to achieve justice for the vulnerable and create the atmosphere of safety that is necessary for others to thrive.? When as prosecutors we show up at our best, it isn’t just us that reap the benefits.? While we might experience career growth and personal development, those around us are the true beneficiaries of our self-improvement.? Can you imagine what would happen in the criminal justice system and our communities if the thousands of prosecutors in America had their best year ever in 2024?? It starts with us.? So indeed, the beginning is near.

David A. Lord

Deputy Commonwealth's Attorney

City of Alexandria

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