Last night the Operation HOPE family and my family spent the evening honoring my personal hero, civil rights legend, and HOPE Global Spokesman Ambassador Andrew Young.

The funny thing is, as we were there to honor him, he was busy honoring everyone else – at his own event.

He used his 82nd birthday as a platform, and an excuse really, to give attention to leaders who might not otherwise get much public acclaim. It was called the "Passing On Blessings" Awards, and it was fantastic.

My real and underscored point here is that Young is still 'young' —- at 82. 

People need purpose in their lives, and they need life affirming energy as well. Some purpose beyond a lifetime of pure leisure. Don't believe me? Let's take a quick life tour. 

Almost every week one or more of my mentors Andrew Young (82 years old), Quincy Jones (81), and Rev. Cecil "Chip" Murray (85), find themselves mourning a dear friends' passing. Most of these friends had 'retired,' kicked their feet up – and not so long after — promptly passed on. 

Ever notice when two people are married as life partners, and they are absolutelyconnected to each other, and then one day one dies; having been together for 50 years or more. The other is generally not far behind them? Unless of course, they have some other purpose going on in their lives. 

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John Hope Bryant is the Founder, Chairman and CEO of Operation HOPE and Bryant Group Companies, Inc. Magazine/CEO READ bestselling business author of LOVE LEADERSHIP: The New Way to Lead in a Fear-Based World (Jossey-Bass), and is the only 2010-2012 bestselling business author in America who is also African-American. His newest book, due out June, 2014, is HOW THE POOR CAN SAVE CAPITALISM, and will be published by Berrett Koehler Publishing. Bryant is a Member of the U.S. President's Advisory Council on Financial Capability for Young Americans,and co-chair for Project 5117, which is a plan for the rebirth of underserved America.

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