“In order to change we must be sick and tired of being sick and tired.”  Author Unknown

What does it feel like to be well?

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.  (Hosea 4:6; NKJ)

At long last, the details for our wellness course which will launch next Wednesday are resolved and available.  The link of the day below provides all of the details, but I just wanted to devote this DG to emphasize the list of benefits that are a result of being well.  The list below is not exhaustive, but serves to bring to the forefront the incredible importance of our health.  So much of our day-to-day living depends on the state of our health.

The amazing thing is that so many people have been lulled to sleep believing that our health care system and insurance will take care of all of our ailments.  We’re all getting a rude awakening as we’re seeing the economy tumble, in part due to that very health care system that we’ve been relying on.  In fact, what we really have had has been a reactive system designed to deal with sickness problems after they come upon us rather than a proactive system that seeks to prevent problems from coming in the first place.

The wellness course that Dr. Randy, Sharon, and I will be teaching is specifically designed to coach participants to make the lifestyle changes necessary to proactively move toward a state of wellness that brings with it all the benefits enumerated below and more.  Consider joining us each Wednesday at noon for the next seven weeks to truly change your life.

Sixteen benefits of Being Well
1. Mental clarity
2. Amazing focus
3. Consistent energy
4. Sense of well-being
5. Greater endurance
6. Better productivity
7. More positive mental outlook
8. Better attitude
9. Improved body weight/shaping
10. More active libido
11. Greater alertness
12. Better sleep
13. Feeling refreshed
14. Less stress
15. Better memory
16. More agility

Prayer Power
Father, we thank You for our health.  We thank You for designing our bodies to be able to maintain wellness when properly cared for.  We thank you for the growing body of knowledge and understanding regarding that proper care.

Link of the Day
UNCOMMON Wellness Coaching Course

Blessings on you as you seek to understand and avoid those things that destroy your health.

“Journal writing is a voyage to the interior.”  Christina Baldwin

Describe your experience of keeping a diary or journal.  If you’ve never kept a journal, what has held you back?

Yahweh, God of Israel, says this, “Write for yourself in a book all the words I have spoken to you. (Jer. 30:2; NLT)

In our new ebook, UNCOMMON Wellness Coaching, the benefits of journaling is mentioned a couple of times.  That should be no surprise given that Dr. Randy Peck co-authored the book with us.  Those of you who have been around Randy for any length of time know that he considers journaling to be his “sweet spot” and has written an extensive ebook on this topic alone.  Randy made the statement in our book on wellness that “journaling is a great way to reduce stress” and is “perhaps the number one way to slow down the pace of your life.”

Well, Randy is in good company with this view of the benefits of journaling on health and wellness.  Journaling has been around for centuries, and while there weren’t scientific studies validating its benefits, people inherently recognized that they felt better after journaling.  Now, University of Texas psychologist and researcher, James Pennebaker, has published numerous papers and studies providing increasing evidence of the physical and mental health benefits of journaling.

Did you know that journaling strengthens your immune cells?  Did you know that journaling has been known to decrease the symptoms of asthma and rheumatoid arthritis?  Did you also know that journaling reduces the stress and emotion around an event thereby giving you a more objective view of what actually happened?  This alone can go along way in resolving conflict between two parties who find themselves at odds with one another.

How can so much good come from the little habit of giving a few minutes each day to the simple discipline of writing down your thoughts around a particular topic?  Well, as Dr. Randy says, “If you journal even for fifteen to thirty minutes in the morning or in the evening, it will slow your RPMs down from 10,000 to 5,000 to 500.”

Why not give it a try?  And by the way, our link of the day is to an absolutely incredible software masterpiece that is specifically designed to facilitate your journaling.  Everybody that we have shown this software to has fallen in love with it.  With the link below, you can download it to your computer for a 45 day free trial.  So again, allow me to ask, “Why not?”  Why not download the software, give it a try, and see for yourself if your physical and mental wellness doesn’t improve.  What have you got to lose?

Prayer Power
Father, we thank You for the benefits which come to us as we take the time to slow down, reflect, and process the events or questions that are on our minds.

Link of the Day
The Journal

Blessings on you as you try your hand at journaling.

“The average human looks without seeing, listens without hearing, touches without feeling, eats without tasting, moves without physical awareness, inhales without awareness of odor or fragrance….and talks without thinking.”  Leonardo da Vinci

If your daily eating habits were shown on the nightly news, what kind of comments would it generate?

His disciples replied, “Lord, if he sleeps, he will get better.”  (John 11:12; NIV)

How many of you get ideas when taking a shower?  I’ve heard a number of people say that creative ideas come to them when they’re “all wet.”  I’m no exception.  I’ve realized that people enjoy short, doable bullets that they can easily begin to implement when making changes around their health and wellness.  So, last week I had a few bubble to the surface while in the shower.

• Five days a week eat an organic apple.  We all know that eating apples are a good thing for us to do.  What can you do to become more diligent about eating an apple a day?  Since apples are one of the highest sprayed crops in terms of pesticide use, I recommend eating organic apples.  Most supermarkets are now carrying some organic produce and apples are usually one of the most popular items.  Buying them in two to three pound bags is usually more economical.  Apples contain fiber, antioxidants and phytonutrients, all of which benefit our bodies.
• Seven times a week eat a large leafy, green salad.  (Iceberg lettuce does NOT count here.)  Use organic spring mix, mixed baby greens or romaine lettuce.  Include spinach and lots of other fresh vegetables such as cucumbers, carrots, colored peppers, onions, tomatoes and avocados.  Many nutritional experts advocate eating a fresh, green salad with lunch AND dinner.  In case that’s a bit much for some of our readers, begin with eating one seven times a week.  We enjoy walnuts and or sunflower seeds on our salads as well as a few dried cranberries.  For dressing ideas see www.nutrition777.com.
• At least three times a week have eggs for breakfast instead of cereal.  I don’t recommend eating cereal at all but if you’re beginning to make a shift here, then begin with eating eggs a few days instead of cereal.  Eat the entire egg, the way God created it.  Soft boiled, scrambled, or over easy are all acceptable.  I recommend using coconut oil for cooking.  BTW, eggs do NOT cause elevated cholesterol.  That’s a huge myth and a topic for another Daily Gram.
• Five nights a week get to bed before or by 10:30.  Your body will thank you.  Again, most nutritional gurus say to be consistent every night of the week with the bedtime, most maintaining that 10:00 is optimum.  However, if you’re accustomed to staying up until 11:30, then begin by backing up your bedtime to 10:30 at least five nights a week, then optimally 10:00 each night.  The body repairs, restores and recharges itself while we sleep.  Inadequate rest and sleep contributes to many health issues and may even shorten life span by eight to ten years.
• Decrease your intake of eating fried foods to…ZERO times a week.  Seriously, there are no acceptable numbers for eating fried foods.  If you’re currently eating fried foods, then may I challenge you to examine how many times a week you’re eating them, and decrease that number starting today.  Fried foods are one of the worst health robbers that we could ever eat.  Why risk eating them?

Prayer Power
Father, thank You for your grace and mercy that is new every morning.

Link of the Day
UNCOMMON Wellness Coaching ebook

Blessings on you as you continue to make shifts and changes in taking care of your body.

“Low Self Esteem Support Group will meet Thursday at 7 pm.  Please use the back door.”  Church bulletin announcement

Do you view event announcements as opportunities or as a bother?  Why?

…pray for me to be given an opportunity to open my mouth and fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel…  (Eph. 6:19; NLT)

As some of you know, Dr. Randy Peck and I have been hosting a series of free webinars on a wide variety of topics of late.  (Actually, Randy is the host, while I play more of the color commentator role.)  There have been some outstanding programs recently with several more coming up over the next week or so.  I decided to dedicate today’s DG to bring some of these opportunities to your attention.

Before I do that however, some of you who have been with us for awhile will remember that about a year ago, Sharon and I attended a Love and Respect Marriage Conference which we found to be amazing (see our 5/19/08 blog post).  Well, we just learned that it is coming back and will be available again May 15-16 for those of you in driving proximity to Hampton Roads, VA.  (Too far to drive?  Check out the national Love and Respect Calendar for opportunities that might be closer to you.)  We encourage you to make it a point to attend one of these conferences.  You’ll be glad you did.

Back to the webinars.  Register for any that you are interested in at http://webinars777.com.

–Affiliate Marketing with Guest Panelist Lynne Lee.  Tuesday, 4/28 @ 11a EDT
Affiliate marketing is a simple way to leverage other people’s resources and start generating revenue via the web with little or no financial investment.

–God Speaks, Part 2 with Guest Panelist Virginia Morton.  Tuesday, 4/28 @ 8p EDT
This webinar is part of a brand new, 12-week series covering the material in Henry Blackaby’s book Experiencing God.  Virginia Morton is the author of Marching Through Culpeper, a 500+ page, self-published Civil War novel that has sold more than 10,000 copies.

–Learn To Protect Yourself From Identity Theft with Guest Panelist Georgia Willis Fauber (”Princess of Education for Virginia”).  Wednesday, 4/29 @ 9p EDT.
Learn about identity theft and what you can do to protect yourself from being one of the 218 million within the last year that have experienced a theft of their identity.

–Healing Broken Hearts with Guest Panelist Renato Amato.  Thursday, 4/30 @ 3p EDT.
Missionary Renato Amato, an Italian citizen and resident, returns on this webinar which is the inaugural webinar to take the love of Jesus to the Italian people.  This webinar will be broadcast in both English and Italian.

–A Hope Filled Future with Guest Panelist Shelley Grieser.  Tuesday, 5/5 @ 11a EDT
Shelley Grieser is a certified Life Coach who works with men and women who are on their path to recovery from divorce, to empower them to create a future they truly desire.

–The Crisis Of Belief with Guest Panelist Rev. Nasir Iqbar.  Tuesday, 5/5 @ 8 p EDT
Rev. Nasir Iqbal, is a Pakistani with an amazing story of salvation and miraculous healing from coma, near-death, and paralysis after beign robbed and beaten over the head with a metal rod. Dr. Paul Crouch, Sr, founder of the Trinty Broadcast Network, says, “Nasir’s testimony will thrill you, inspire you, and build faith in you.

Prayer Power
Father, we pray that these webinars are a continuing source of help, hope, and blessing to the growing number of folks who either listen to them live as they occur or on a delayed basis as their schedule permits.

Link of the Day
Life Changing Webinars

Blessings on you as you avail yourself of some of these opportunities in the coming weeks.

“The nature of bad news infects the teller.”  William Shakespeare

How much news do you read or watch during the course of a day?

Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things. (Phil. 4:8; NAS)

Knowing my concern about the negative effects of the news, our friend Janet Kennon sent me a really good piece that was taken  from a recent Optima EAP newsletter.  The article was titled “To combat the ‘doom and gloom’ inundating us through the news media, let’s rewrite a week’s worth of headlines:”

Fascinating idea, don’t you think?  The article went on to give several examples which I feel you will find instructive:

Original: People can’t afford to take vacations.
Rewrite: Treasures discovered in local communities!

Original: Home prices are falling.
Rewrite: Buyer’s market unfolds!

Original: People are going out less.
Rewrite: Families experience surge in quality time!

Original: Employees face rapid change.
Rewrite: Opportunities to learn something new abound!

Original: People don’t know what to do.
Rewrite: Unprecedented amounts of creativity reported!

Original: Consumer spending is down.
Rewrite: Shoppers possess greater negotiating power!

Original: Stress levels are surging.
Rewrite: Benefits of yoga and deep breathing revealed!

Don’t ya just love it?  What a fabulous idea!!!  Unfortunately, there is no name on the article for me to give credit to, but in my mind, the author deserves the “Employee of the Month” award.  Maybe “Employee of the Year.”  Can you just imagine the impact on Optima’s bottom line that would take place if the article inspired even a small fraction of their employees and/or subscribers to begin to think that way?

The author concluded the brilliant article with, “To maintain a healthy attitude, try not to internalize the negative messages you see and hear.  The next time you hear bad news, mentally reframe it to something more positive.  Make it a “good news” week!”

To put this into perspective, the Mayo Clinic says that the cause of illness and disease is stress.  They even go so far as to say that just ten minutes of watching the nightly news will make your stress soar.  So, if your news habit is so strong that you can’t bring yourself to turn it off, at least make a game out of rewriting the headlines.

BTW, for those of you who are interested, my appearance on Lynne Lee’s Christian Life Coaching Cafe on Tuesday, went very well.  In fact, the teleclass course that I offered her listeners sold out in less than 24 hours.  If you would like to listen in, I’ve made the audio file available as today’s link.  Make it a magnificent weekend!

Prayer Power
Father, we can’t thank You enough for the unbelievably Good News that you continually make available to all with ears to hear.  During these times of stress, may more and more become open to hear.

Link of the Day
Christian Life Coaching Cafe

Blessings on you as you ponder the benefits of a news fast.

“Going green means reducing the toxins in your life and in the planet.”  Unknown

How are you doing with conserving some of our valuable resources?

May God give you of heaven’s dew and of earth’s richness — an abundance of grain and new wine.  (Gen. 27:28; NIV)

I’ve been reading more and more about “going green.”  Or in other words, being a better steward of our Earth’s resources.  Jerry and I don’t tend to be “heavy consumers” of much, but this morning I began thinking of simple ways to help reduce some of the burden on our natural resources.  I didn’t realize when I started writing that today is actually Earth Day!  I can still remember the inception of Earth Day.  And yes, I even had a pair of Earth Shoes!  Did you?

1. Okay, how many of you have memories of your parents saying, “Turn the light off?”  This is an easy habit to develop.  When you leave a room, turn the light off.  Jerry and I primarily work in our home office.  Oftentimes, when we’re both in the office there are no other lights on in the house with the exception of a small light over the kitchen sink.  Yes, at night our home looks dark compared to some of the neighbors.  But I’ll take my electric bill over theirs any day.  Every little bit helps.
2. Store leftovers and other food in glass containers instead of plastic bags or disposable plastic containers.  Storing food in glass is also healthier for us than using plastic.  We can greatly decrease our consumption of plastic bags by using glass containers and jars for food storage.  Resurrect your old “Pyrex” containers and begin saving your salsa jars.  They make great food storage containers.
3. Begin using reusable bags when going to the grocery store.  Most all supermarkets offer reusable bags now.  I have several that I keep in the car.  Once I bring them into the house and empty the groceries, I put them near the door so they get back in the car.  Years ago, in my “hippie” days, I used large canvas bags when I shopped at a food co-operative.  There was no paper or plastic bags available.  We had to bring our own.  Lately, when I began seeing people bringing bags to the grocery store, I enjoyed a reminiscent smile.
4. Bring the heat down in the winter and bring the air conditioner up in the summer.  Jerry and I kept our thermostat lower this winter than we ever have.  We also wore more layers during the day and used flannel sheets at night.  We’ve never kept our house really cold in the summer.  But this is an area where many people can cut back.  Instead of having the house at 70 or 72 degrees during the summer, bump the A/C up to 74 or 76 degrees.  If it’s quite hot outside, 76 degrees inside will still be comfortable.
5. Be mindful of the eternal faucet.  In other words, take note of how long you’re letting water run needlessly down the drain.  I can certainly do better with this one.  When brushing our teeth, is it really necessary to have the water running the entire time?  I think not.  When doing dishes, use a dishpan or large bowl to wash and rinse dishes as opposed to having the faucet running the entire time.  Long, lingering showers are another water robber.  Make them a special occasion rather than an everyday habit.

If you’ve not really thought much about what you can do in being a better steward of our resources, hopefully you now have a few ideas on how to begin.

Prayer Power
Father we thank You for each and every one of our most abundant resources.  May we not take them for granted.

Link of the Day
UNCOMMON Wellness Coaching e-book

Blessings on you as you look for ways that you can conserve.

“He who rejects change is the architect of decay.  The only human institution which rejects progress is the cemetery.”  Harold Wilson

What are some of the more significant changes you’ve seen take place in your lifetime?

God also bound himself with an oath, so that those who received the promise could be perfectly sure that he would never change his mind.  (Heb 6:17; NLT)

Before you ignore this post because you think that marketing is not something you’re interested in, I encourage you to just scan this and take note of how rapidly the world around us is changing right before our eyes.  It reminds me of the story of the frogs in the kettle who boiled to death as the water in the kettle was gradually heated to the boiling point.  Had the change not been so gradual and subtle, the frogs would have jumped to safety long before it was too late.

I’m not suggesting that it’s too late or that anyone is going to be boiled to death, but I am suggesting that some people are going to be left far, far behind if they don’t recognize the incredible changes taking place in our society and take steps to accommodate the new, emerging reality.  I would like to call your attention to just two of those changes in this post.

The first change is in the general field of advertising and marketing.  Now, if you’re not a marketer, why would you care?  Well, please see that these changes will affect just about every segment of society that derives their existence by telling others about the services they provide.  That includes people with home businesses, pastors and their churches, any organization, ministry, or agency that serves the public in any fashion whatsoever.  I’m referring to the veritable explosion of social media.  Some call it new media, or social networking, or any of a number of names, many of which probably haven’t even been invented yet.  The growth and impact of social media is covered in a fascinating report which is the first link of the day.

The second link is to a blog post by an amazing chronicler of the changes taking place around us, Seth Godin.  I’ve mentioned him before in my posts, and I believe that the article I’m passing along to you today will really help you see just how fast things are changing.  Bottom line, Godin predicts that there won’t be any newspapers by 2012.  Now, I’m not a newspaper reader (anymore), but I find that to be an absolutely amazing prediction.  Don’t you?  (Wonder what will people put in the bottom of their bird cages when newspapers are gone?)

Let me know what you think.  What are some of the changes that you see or have heard are coming that are “blowing your mind?”

Prayer Power:
Father, we rejoice that you have assured us in your Word that you will never change.  As we find ourselves in a world where change is coming at us at an accelerating pace, we take great comfort that the most important relationship in our life will never change.  Hallelujah!!!

Links of the Day
Social Media Marketing Industry Report
Sixty-to-Zero

Blessings on you as you awaken to a new world every morning.

“As many people scrutinize their investments, it’s important to not overlook one of our most important investments, our health.”  whfoods.com

How well are you doing at NOT compromising with your eating habits?

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.  (James 1:5; NIV)

Most of us have realized that our food dollars aren’t stretching as far as they did in the past.  However, that is not a valid reason (or excuse) to compromise on feeding our families and ourselves in a healthy manner.  We can continue to eat high quality, nutrient dense foods and not “break the budget,” or resort to boxed macaroni and cheese, or a fast food burger.  That’s a great segue into my first point.

1. Don’t be tempted to go through the fast food, drive-through window.  Your budget nor your family’s health will benefit from this action.  Make a commitment that you will eat the majority of your meals at home.  Buying ground turkey or lean beef and making burgers at home is by far the better choice.
   
2. Buy a whole chicken and either roast it in the oven or put it in the crockpot to cook.  From that one chicken, you can enjoy an evening meal, chicken salad the next day from the left over chicken, and then cook the carcass in water with vegetables such as onions, celery, carrots, and parsley for a great chicken soup.  Three meals from one chicken is an economic powerhouse.
   
3. Joining a food co-operative is also a way to save on food dollars.  Begin searching out and asking friends about a food co-op in your area.  Certain health food distributors sell to food co-operatives at little more than wholesale cost.  Usually with food co-ops, items are offered in larger quantities to offer more of a cost savings.  Partner with other like-minded friends to buy cases of apples, cheese or nuts.
   
4. Stock up on non-perishables when they’re on sale.  When I see canned, organic beans are on sale, I buy 10 to 12 cans of each variety and store them in the garage.  (Here in Virginia Beach, basements or cellars are unheard of).  I do the same with certain organic tomato products, coconut milk, etc.  I’ve even bought a case of laundry detergent when it’s on sale as the savings is substantial.  Even if you have to store items under the bed, it may be worth the cost savings for you.
   
5. You’ve heard me say this many times before…but shop on the perimeter of the store.  Buying fresh fruits and vegetables when they’re in season is a better choice economically and health wise than going down the health-destroying cookie and chip aisle.  Buying fruits and vegetables by the bag is usually better economically than buying individual pieces.  Buy from local growers whenever possible.

Don’t be tempted to compromise on your health!

Prayer Power
Father, we thank You for the creativity that You have given to each and every one of us.  We thank You that You are our great hand of provision and that You desire to bless us.

Link of the Day
UNCOMMON Wellness Coaching – FREE E-book

Blessings on you as you purpose to continue to make the best food choices!

“Life purpose [destiny] is the energy of passion, channeled through experience and design, in the service of a greater calling.”  Tony Stoltzfus

What is your destiny or purpose in life?

But you know what I teach, Timothy, and how I live, and what my purpose in life is.  (2 Tim. 3:10a; NLT)

The last couple of DGs have focused on life purpose or synonymously, destiny.  Some dictionaries define destiny as synonymous with fate or predetermined outcome.  To me that’s a bit too gloomy.  In fact, Webster’s 1828 Dictionary says that our “destiny is happily concealed” from our view.  But like so many words, the strict dictionary definition has morphed over time, and one dictionary I’ve seen comes a little closer to the way we’re using the word today.  It says that destiny is “your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you).”

You know, this search for one’s destiny has gone on forever — I like to say, “is older than dirt.”  At one time or another, we all have wrestled with seemingly unanswerable questions like “Who am I?” “What is my purpose?”  “Why am I here.”  “What is life all about?”  So the way most have come to view destiny anymore is basically the answer to the question that adults used to love to ask us as kids — “What do you want to be when you grow up?”

But, I’m sure that as you have observed, the answer to that question changes multiple times over a person’s lifetime.  Circumstances change.  Things happen.  It almost seems that we are victims as life swirls around us.  But, I don’t believe that that being a victim is God’s intention for us.  I find that most Christians strongly believe as Max Lucado wrote, “You weren’t an accident. You weren’t mass produced. You aren’t an assembly line product. You were deliberately planned, specifically gifted, and lovingly placed on earth by the Master Craftsman.”  So, this purpose that the Master Craftsman had in mind for us is what we now call destiny or life purpose.

I especially appreciate the way Tony Stoltzfus, the guy who taught Sharon and I virtually everything we know about coaching, defines destiny.  He says, “Life purpose is the energy of passion, channeled through experience and design, in the service of a greater calling.”  That single sentence seems to say it all.  That sentence includes the elements of your design (i.e., who you are); your life experience (i.e., what life has prepared you to do); your passion (i.e.,  what gives you energy and motivation to act); and your calling (i.e., your commission from God to serve others.)

As I mentioned a couple of times last week, I’ve been asked to be a guest expert on Lynne Lee’s Christian Life Coaching Cafe to discuss the topic “Discover Your Life Purpose.”  The interview is tomorrow (4/21) at 3p EDT.   Lynne is an experienced and widely published life coach who resides and practices in the United Kingdom,  Lynne and I would love to have you register at the link below and join us for that free teleseminar.  Even if that day and/or time doesn’t work for you, go ahead and register so that Lynne can send you a link to the recording.

Prayer Power
Father, we are often awed by the notion that You created us for a particular purpose.  Guide is as we take steps to get really clear just what that purpose is all about.

Link of the Day
Christian Life Coaching Teleseminars

Blessings on you as you take steps to define and live out your life purpose.

“You weren’t an accident. You weren’t mass produced. You aren’t an assembly line product. You were deliberately planned, specifically gifted, and lovingly placed on earth by the Master Craftsman.”  Max Lucado

What is your life purpose, i.e., what was the reason you were “deliberately planned, specially gifted, and lovingly placed on earth?”

But you shouldn’t be so concerned about perishable things like food. Spend your energy seeking the eternal life that I, the Son of Man, can give you. For God the Father has sent me for that very purpose.  (John 6:27; NLT)

As I’m continuing to pull things together for next week’s interview and teleclass announcement regarding life purpose (aka life focus, destiny, et al.), I spent some time trying to brainstorm a list of benefits that accrue from taking the time to discover and articulate your life purpose.  I rather quickly came up with 21 benefits which I decided to share with you in today’s DG.  Keep in mind that this list is by no means exhaustive, nor is it particularly well articulated, but I felt led to share it with you as it is.  (BTW, if you can think of additional benefits, please help me out by listing them in the comment box below.)

1. Knowing your life focus provides a “road map” which significantly reduces or eliminates the stress of indecision or fear of a wrong choice when facing major decisions in life.
2. Knowing your life purpose will allow you to easily recognize the walls your ladder may be leaning against which are the “wrong” walls.
3. Knowing your life focus enables you  to define and take steps to satisfy those nagging feelings that something is missing in your life.
4. Knowing your life focus allows you to know what areas of life to focus on and which ones you can eliminate or move to the background, thereby eliminating the stress of feeling guilty for not “keeping up”
5. Knowing your life focus validates and re-enforces the sense of peace and joy that comes from spending more time in areas that are congruent with your purpose
6. Knowing your life focus allows you to define and legitimatize some alternative careers for that majority of people who don’t enjoy what they do for a living
7. Knowing your life focus gives you the courage to step out into something new when you recognize that you are especially equipped for that activity.
8. If the area is consistent with your life purpose, knowing that life purpose will free you to say no to other things that are competing for your time and attention.  If the area is not congruent with your life purpose, it frees you from the guilt of not dong more.
9. Knowing your life purpose allows you to eliminate a lifetime of accumulated “should do’s” that others have put on you.  Should do’s that would advance your life purpose will become want to do’s.
10. Knowing your life purpose will allow you to step away from activities and responsibilities that are not in alignment with that purpose giving you more time for yourself.
11. Knowing your life purpose will allow you to move toward satisfying that lack of fulfillment that spawned the question, is that all there is?
12. Knowing your life purpose will allow you to better define those things that truly will make you happy and stop spending time, effort, and money chasing the wrong rabbits.
13. Knowing your life purpose frees you from the need to compare yourself with others who have a totally different focus for their lives.
14. Knowing your life purpose will allow you to redefine what success really means to you.
15. Knowing your life purpose will allow you to break free from the need to be doing things that are not in alignment with your purpose
16. Knowing your life purpose allows you to have a ready answer to the questions “Why am I here?” and “What’s my Purpose?”
17. Knowing your life purpose allows you to define and lead a fulfilling life.
18. Knowing your life purpose allows you to relax and recognize that trusting God, who wired you like he did, is in control.
19. Knowing your life purpose is a great time to take a fresh look at your spiritual beliefs.
20. Knowing your life purpose will satisfy that “itch” to find what you’re “supposed” to be doing.
21. Knowing your life purpose will help chart the path toward making a difference in the world.

As I mentioned Wednesday, the interview is this coming Tuesday (4/21) at 3p EDT.   Lynne Lee, an experienced and widely published life coach who resides and practices in the United Kingdom, will be interviewing me on the topic “Discover Your Life Purpose.”  Lynne and I would love to have you register at the link below and join us for that free teleseminar.  We believe you’ll be glad you did.

Prayer Power
Father, we thank You that You did create each of us as individuals with unique purposes and destinies instead of mindless robots just to populate the earth.  Guide each of us as we consider our individual destinies.

Link of the Day
Christian Life Coaching Teleseminars

Blessings on you through the coming weekend as you ponder the question, “Why am I here?”