Senior engineering manager Cedric Dukes wants to help men walk in their purpose. I recently spoke with him about his book, Man – Transforming our families, our communities and our world.
Tell me about your latest book.
My latest book is Man – Transforming our families, our communities and our world. The book centers on men understanding and walking in their purpose on this earth. When a man understands his purpose and walks in it, he impacts families, communities, and the world. This book takes a look at the different facets of a man’s journey. Even though there are cultural and economic differences, a man has been called to multiple roles in the family structure: provider, encourager, intercessor, lover and parent. For decades, men have displayed chauvinistic characteristics because we thought that was needed to get our point across but in reality, we did not have an idea how to implement these roles for the betterment of those around us. This book takes you through the process. I also talk about the delicate relationship of a father to son and father to daughter and how to balance love, discipline and correction. Sometimes we go overboard in one area or another and eventually it hurts the ones that we love. Every day men impact lives. Our reputation and legacy are at stake to lead those around us to their purpose and destiny.
Why did you decide to write it?
I decided to write this book because many of our young males are not getting the right information of what a man should be. Their inspiration is role models that contradict the many values that I have outlined in this book. It’s ok to be cool but being cool does not transform our families; it will not solve our community issues and it will certainly not help our world. I wrote “Man” for mothers who are raising their sons to become the man that God made them to be. I also wrote the book for the young ladies as a guide to enable them to read what God has for them in their future relationships. W.E.B. Dubois says a child learns from what you are more than what you teach. Children are like sponges so if men train our young men and women early, we will get the result that we are looking for.
What do you want readers to learn from the book?
I want the readers to learn that men are going through a transformation daily to become strong for their families. Being a strong man does not mean that we rule with an iron fist. A strong man exhibits love and respect. A strong man directs and guides. A strong man with values thinks about the legacy that he is leaving behind. A strong man balances his home through the ups and downs of life. Those journeys are mountains in which we must cross on a daily/weekly basis. We need encouragement so we can leave our families, our communities and our world in a better place than we found it.
What do you want readers to learn from your life?
I want the readers to learn that my life is a journey to a destination that God has given me. I want to encourage readers to keep living, keep moving and keep trusting God to get to that destination point. It is ok to go through ups and downs in life as long as you learn from those experiences. Each experience builds upon another and you can take that with you to accomplish the next mountain. Lastly, I want to paint a picture of faithfulness to what God has placed into me. I have learned that the greatest achievement is not the result of a particular action but the process in which you go through to achieve it.
What advice do you have for people interested in writing a book?
My advice is to start writing on your phone, notebook, or a computer. Just write and allow God’s spirit to speak to you as you jot down your thoughts. Write during your lunch break, while at the beauty/barber shop, or when you have 15-30 minutes of free time. Always keep the phone or pad next to you as some idea, story line or scene will come up. Don’t allow doubt or fear to creep in. Understand that one page you write turns into two. Those two pages turns into four and four pages turns into a chapter. And chapters turn into your book. It is a process and if you are committed, you will accomplish it.
What’s next for Cedric Dukes?
I am writing a book on Changing Your Greater. It is about the process of how God is changing us to impact the world. Not necessarily how to do something great for Him but addressing those internal personal issues so God can get the best out of you. We are limitless in what we do but our internal actions can hold us back.
Do you have anything you would like to add?
Thank you for the opportunity to speak to your readers. Today’s authors have a heart and vision to write and they are changing the world one word at a time. Reading a book or listening to an audiobook is the cheapest personal development course you can take; it opens up the mind and imagination. It takes you to a place where you want to be. Also continue to support local authors as they have a passion to tell a powerful story.
To learn more about Cedric Dukes and his books, visit his website or connect with him on social media.
Twitter: @cdleavinglegacy
Facebook: Cedric Dukes
