This book covers every major life challenge that most people will experience at one time or another, the death of a loved one, adversity, divorce, financial loss and many others. Each topic gives the reader insight and motivation into handling the challenge.
The only thing in life that is certain is its uncertainty. You can either learn to embrace the unexpected and release the expected, or live with a great deal of frustration, anxiety and stress.
Life for everyone can be either a joyous adventure, or filled with struggle, pain and adversity. Life is a neutral process that does not select some people for success and others for failure, some for happiness and others for loneliness, or some for wealth and others for poverty. Life comes to each of us one day at a time, and we make choices and decisions that create our outcomes and consequences.
Some of these outcomes may at first appear positive, but over time we learn that they had negative lessons. Others at first may seem to be negative, but with the passage of time bring positives that we never could have anticipated.
Many would argue that bad things happen to good people and good things happen to bad people. I would argue first that all of this depends on the definition of bad and good. What can seem to be bad for us (loneliness, for example) can bring us growth, peace and surrender in the end if we can learn to see the good in solitude. What can seem to be good for us (wealth for example) can bring us fear, arrogance and isolation.
The premise of this book is that every life has its share of opportunities, struggles, successes and failures, and that, regardless at any given moment what you may be experiencing in your life, it can be either positive or negative depending on:
1- how you feel about it.
2- how it makes you feel about yourself.
3- what you do with it or about it.
It is not the premise of this book that everyone can (or should) experience the same type or degree of anything in life – i.e. happiness, success, fear or ignorance. That is not for me, or any other person, to wish for you or to expect life to take from you. We are each here to learn, grow and experience life – whatever form it takes for each of us – as we move through the days and years of our lives.
This book is not about answers to your needs, questions, struggles or dreams. It is about asking you to think differently or uniquely about whatever life has put in your lap at any given moment (either suddenly or over time) – whether it is perceived as good or bad, and whether it lasts for a fleeting moment or for many years.
In the end, each of us has the power to choose. Even a prisoner or servant can choose what fills his mind and spirit. Being free is not just a physical idea, but also a mental one. There are many people who have the ability to get in their car and drive across the country, but are afraid to leave the safety of their own living room.
This book is about freedom. The freedom to:
·believe
·change
·understand
·let go
·begin again
·enjoy
·accept
·feel
Each of the forty-one concepts was selected from my thirty-plus years of experience working with groups and individuals worldwide as a speaker, trainer and consultant. I am sure others could have been included, and you may wonder why some are included. I have found these to be the major reasons why some people struggle with life and others seem to enjoy every passing day regardless of what it brings.
The concepts are in no particular order of importance. I urge you not to just read them, but to read them carefully and think about how they relate to your life and your future.
Do you want anything in your life to be different or better than last year or yesterday in any way? Do you want greater success, more peace, less stress, more friends, more financial freedom, more fun, or _________ (add your own)?
What are you going to do different this year than last? Today vs. yesterday?
·Are you going to work harder or
smarter?
·Are you going to learn more?
·Are you going to communicate more
honestly?
·Are you going to ______ (whatever)?
There is one sure way to guarantee that the dreams in your life will be realized. There is one thing you can do, starting now, to ensure that the mistakes and lessons of last year are used as stepping stones to a better future. There is one action you can take now that will create a year in your life that is filled with happiness, achievement, success and prosperity.
Excerpt
Loneliness:
There is a significant difference between being lonely and being alone. Loneliness is caused by a deficiency of the spirit – a spirit that needs people or activity with regularity in order to feel a sense of worthiness, belonging or acceptance. Being alone can be seen as a positive opportunity to get to know and like yourself better while growing in wisdom, understanding and maturity.
Learn how to know if you are about to enter an abusive relationship. If you are already in an abusive relationship, learn how God wants you to get out of it. If you are an abuser, learn how you can become free of your abusive behavior. If you know so
Lined and Unlined
Fun Tidbits and Trivia about each state.
Journaling can help improve mental health and happiness, provide a creative outlet, and give a perfect place to record life's precious events. Grab your journal today. Pages for you to fi
