Day 7: Reader Testimonials and Reviews
Welcome to Day 7 of our 30-day journey through Purpose Driven Legacy. Today, I’m excited to share some of the powerful testimonials and reviews from early readers whom I shared the original manuscripts with prior to publishing who have been touched and transformed by the book. Hearing how Purpose Driven Legacy has impacted others is not only humbling but also a testament to the universal need for purpose and meaning in our lives.
A Journey of Transformation
One of the most rewarding aspects of writing Purpose Driven Legacy has been witnessing the profound changes it has inspired in readers. Here are a few testimonials that highlight the diverse ways in which the book has made a difference:
Testimonial 1: Foreword 1
“The late poet L. W. Rice once penned the words, “A man has left a path of words beside the road he trod.” Therefore, it could be said that everything we learned, all we know, and the wholeness of what we shall leave someday were and are best displayed by the words that burst upon our mind the moment we think of the past that influenced us, the present that directs our daily endeavors, and the future memories we desire to surround the minds of generations to come when they think of us.
In this masterful work, Dustin Royer raises, from the depths of our lives, a list of words that no legacy left to the reader or desired legacy we hope to bequeath upon our future could ignore, preserve, or pass on without allowing each word to marinate our conscious thought.
As the author is my own nephew, I had a front-row seat to much of his childhood, teen years, military career, and adult family creation and journey. Although not savvy to all the details the author shares but aware of many, I was newly enlightened, engaged, and often awed at how each important part of his life affected his feelings at the time. Better yet, I know how he unreservedly reveals and declares his personal transformation from the hands of a wonderful, loving, all-seeing, and caring God, Lord, and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Upon reading the first few pages of the original manuscript, I quickly grabbed my pen and began to write the words that jumped off the pages. I knew I was receiving a personal message and needed guidance from not only a gifted, competent writer but also from the same source of inspiration that had traveled from his eyes and ears to his mind and eventually his hand.
The words in the list could each be a subject of another book or study, but I soon realized no legacy given, received, or passed on could measure its value without taking the key words the author lays before us and asking three personal questions. First, how did I see that word displayed (good, bad, or not at all) in my impressionable life growing up? Second, how do my family and friends see me display the best use of each of these words? Third, at my memorial service or long after I have left this life, will my name declare that I used each of these principles in a way that my legacy had purpose and that purpose will have saved others from pain?
The words that are the stepping stones for self-examination and desired destination are: priority, identity, healing, restoration, spouse, family, generational, work, trust, ministry, effectiveness, action, sonship, principles, mercy, talent, abilities, relationship, time, companionship, alignment, compassion, humility, awareness, forgiveness, example, prayer, devotion accountability, pursuit, and my favorite, BLUF, which I learned was a military acronym for Bottom Line Up Front.
The words are dealt with so beautifully and clearly that if you will do the reflection and application work at the end of each chapter, it will take you on a journey of your own to see how these vital aspects of your life were displayed in the legacy handed to you? Good or bad, what is the next generation learning from you? And most importantly, what kind of legacy will you leave everyone, from your closest family to the most casual observer?
So I would say to my author nephew, “In my over three-quarters of a century of life, your Uncle Sam may have never read a more needed, inspiring, and life-changing book than Purpose-Driven Legacy.” I challenge you: read on, do not stop, do the work, and answer your own questions. And if you do, I have every reason to believe you may say the same about this book.“
— Sam Pawlak.
Testimonial 2: Foreword 2
“I was truly honored and deeply moved to receive your book. The trust you’ve placed in me by asking me to write the foreword is both humbling and inspiring. I want you to know that your work has profoundly touched my heart and resonated with my own aspirations and reflections on legacy. I want to apologize that I did not get to read it until yesterday and just finished it today.
As I turned each page, I found myself drawn into the depth of your insights and the practical wisdom you’ve shared on creating a lasting legacy. It’s rare to come across a work that not only enlightens but also compels one to take immediate action. Your book has done just that for me. I am genuinely moved to implement several of your practices in my own life, underscoring my desire to leave a meaningful legacy for my children and our grandchildren and those I have the privilege to influence.
Please accept my heartfelt gratitude for the impact your book has already made in my life. I am looking forward to penning the foreword, not only as a contribution to your powerful work but as a personal testament to the significance it holds for me. Your book is a gift for all of us aspiring to leave behind something of true value. It made me love you more and know you at a deeper level.”
— David Oates
The Impact of Purpose Driven Legacy
These testimonials are just a few examples of the many ways in which Purpose Driven Legacy has touched lives. The common thread among all these stories is the transformative power of finding and embracing one’s purpose. Whether it’s through gaining clarity, building resilience, inspiring positive change, or rediscovering passion, the book has helped readers create meaningful and lasting legacies.
Join the Conversation
I am deeply grateful to everyone who has shared their experiences with Purpose Driven Legacy. Your stories are a source of inspiration and a reminder of why I wrote this book. I encourage you to continue sharing your journeys and reflections. Your insights can inspire others and contribute to a community of purpose-driven individuals.
If you haven’t shared your thoughts yet, I invite you to do so in the comments or on social media. Your feedback is invaluable and helps us all learn and grow together.
Looking Ahead
Thank you for joining me today. Tomorrow, we will dive into the concept of vision and its critical role in building a purposeful legacy. I look forward to continuing this journey with you and exploring how a clear vision can guide our actions and decisions.
Stay engaged, and remember, your story matters. Together, we can inspire and support each other on this journey of purpose and legacy.