legacy letters

Discover an old way of living; 
​create a new way of thinking

"Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth" (1 Tim. 6:6)

By Tim O'Brien - "Legacy Letters" by Tony DiLeonardi tells of transformation. In this case, it surrounds the life of Jim Peters. It also involves letters from the past. More importantly perhaps, it explains the three principles to personal health, wealth and wisdom, according to the author.

When I met Tony for lunch, I had no idea that his career went the way in which it did. I last saw him at his wedding in the 1980s. We met at Illinois State University while working for the campus newspaper, The Daily Vidette. We lived a block from each other on campus as well. We were friends and coworkers in college. The lunch was set up because Tony realized I moved back to Illinois and we were only 30 minutes away. He was in Geneva, Il and I was in Sycamore, Il. A little more than 30 years had passed since we saw each other. 

It was during our reminiscing when Tony noticed I had changed. I was content now, and more settled down. But, I was also in the process of moving, once again, and noted that to him. This time I was moving to Columbus, Ohio. That is when he gave me a copy of "Legacy Letters." When one moves anywhere, doubts, concerns and questions arise. So, Tony giving me the book at that time, when I was in the process of change, was divine intervention. I am convinced, there is a reason for everything, and that was a sign. So, I devoured the book.

When one reads any book, timing can be key. In fact, timing is the key to many things in life. We seek out information to help us, inform us, entertain us, or to enlighten. If we come away with just one of those when reading, the endeavor was a success. For me, it was not only a success, it worked. 

The writing is clear and concise and has a conversation style to it. It does not lecture. It informs. It suggests ways in which to improve your life. It challenges the course in which one is currently living. When reading, your mind will automatically answer the questions given throughout. It will make you ask yourself if you are doing what is suggested to make your life better. No, it does not have to be done. But, you may want to try it. 

Legacy Letters by Tony DiLeonardi          From Amazon

Professional money manager, Jim Peters, a committed husband and father of three, is experiencing a critical crisis of confidence, and his typical optimism and resiliency is crumbling. He believes his family’s well-being and his dreams are in jeopardy as he is being pushed out of his job by unscrupulous competition and younger, tech-savvy workers.On the brink of making costly decisions, Jim is sensing that he’s losing his grip on everything that is important to him, including his legacy. He is battered by the institutional influences over his life. Jim, however, is about to discover an old way of living that will create a new way of thinking and it will come from a most unusual place.
  Through a series of recently discovered old letters, Jim travels through time. Along his journey, he is given the gifts of perspective, new life, and a renewed spirit. He learns the time-tested secrets to create good health, true wealth, and genuine wisdom, re-takes control of his life, and helps lead and transform the lives of his family, friends, colleagues, and community. Legacy Letters is a modern parable of one man’s choices and teaches readers the acquired virtues that create a new life for him.
​                                                  - - -

"Legacy Letters" begins with Jim's Crisis and ends with Implementing the Principles. In between is a challenge to the readers to answer questions and help take control of one's life, whiling is gives the reader a new perspective.

In a nutshell, the change Tony describes in the book does not have to be earth-shattering. It is an approach that is quite simple but rarely implemented. Perhaps, that is because most people are stuck in the "that is the way I have always done it" attitude. So, not so simple after-all. "Legacy Letters" also delves into mastering thankfulness, choosing forgiveness and creating community. All of which can fill the void, and create contentment in one's life. 

For me, contentment is the one main takeaway. If one is content, life means so much more. The search for happiness is a false idea. Contentment means so much more. "Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth" (1 Tim. 6:6). One cannot read that enough and Tony includes it in the book, as well.