I AM ∵ WHO WE ALL ARE…
“I am because of who we all are” is the English translation of the phrase used to best understand the African philosophy “Ubuntu.” The philosophy places emphasis on ‘being human through other people’. It’s one of the super dope philosophies that I’ve learned about growing up, but also is my answer to what has contributed most to the growth of my present self! This is because I believe I could not be the Carlton Dossou that I am today without the “other people” I come in contact with in life. Everything I do can be pointed back to me being inspired by someone else. You pick out anything I do it is because I was inspired by an idol, a loved one , a friend, a mentor, or just a random person I saw on the street. The people I’ve put in my inner circle have contributed the most. We are all like-minded and expect greatness and nothing short of it from each other. We grow individually together. My achievements inspire their achievements and vice versa. It is those people that have contributed most to my growth and inspire me to never stop growing!
New Year, Same Evolving Me! One of my biggest goals for any year is never to stop evolving! I never want to be complacent with myself and what I’ve done! I use the previous year as what I aim to beat in the new year and strive to do it by a solid margin! Much like a PR in running or lifting. I want to keep elevating my personal best year! I believe there is no limit to that no matter how great the year was! There’s always something I haven’t done that I still need to do! A new goal is for me to make more of an effort to enjoy the moment or the accomplishment! I’ve conditioned myself to always be on go but I’ve noticed I’ve got time every now and then to relax for a little bit and just enjoy life and or soak in something cool I did. This year I also wrote down three goals I want to achieve for 2023! The first one is to have a successful launch of my nonprofit We Got Next, Los Angeles! I’m super excited to get WGN LA finally going. I’m big on actions speaking louder than words, so I’m ready to finally do what I’ve been talking about! The second goal is to publish a poetry book! It’s something I’ve been wanting to do since I started writing so this year I’m going to do it. My last goal is to BE THE BEST CARLTON I CAN BE!
What would 32-year-old me tell me today? He’d tell me to make him proud in these next 10 years not by my accomplishments but by being me! Continue being inspired by the world and inspire others as well. Live life to the fullest and do what makes me happy! Continuing to dream big and striving to change the world for the better. Making sure I make those around me happier when they’re with me! Making them laugh and smile as much as possible! If I do all of those things then the accomplishments will come!
