The greatest gift we men can ever give to ourselves, and to our family and friends, is to live this life the best we can!
When 2016 started, many did the traditional New Year’s resolutions and right away fell into a statistic of failed resolutions that is shared by many around the world. Now I know that it is not on purpose, but it is a matter of fact that many make big promises with little results. Losing weight, kicking habits, or just becoming a better version of oneself is not to be reserved for a once a year event, but instead, to be walked out daily.
I have done this year after year, until in 2015 when I took a different path and chose a word and made it my focus for the year. In 2015, the word was “Simplify” and I made some steps throughout the year to simplify my daily world. However, by the end of the year, I discovered that simplifying my life turned into a lifestyle I wanted to embrace.
Purpose can simply be defined as the very reason we exist.
Now we enter into 2016 and I found the word “Purpose” saying, “Pick me, pick me” and so I did! Purpose can simply be defined as the very reason we exist.
Now purpose for me as a husband, father, friend, public speaker, coach, mentor, CEO for a non-profit, entrepreneur, writer and podcaster is very important and that is the reason for the title of this article. There will never be a life well lived if the purpose for that life is never found, embraced and then walked out.
Sometimes just some small changes can help us redefine the life we are living. Here are just a few ideas:
1. Stop sweating the small stuff.
Even though this is an old statement, it is one of great truth. People constantly stress over things they can’t change. We have got to decide once and for all, “If I can’t change it, I’m not going to stress over it.” Worrying will not change anything BUT our health!
2. Never allow another person to decide your value.
For years, I based my worth on what others thought about me. When that is the case, then the life we live will be purely based on what others allow. We must take control of our lives and get off the emotional roller coaster once and for all.
3. Live life forward.
When you live life “forward,” it creates a sense of value that is life-changing all its own.
A great way of doing this is by serving others. It could be volunteering your time in your community, at your church, your child’s school, etc. As we do this, we soon find that we forget about our problems and get a new perspective on life. That new perspective could be all we needed to put us on track to living that well lived life.
4. Be true to yourself.
You’re one of a kind, a masterpiece, so live like it. Stop being a follower of the crowds and start blazing a new trail.
5. Be adaptable and flexible
Learn to flow with the waves and not against them. Many people feel that if they become adaptable, then they are giving up control of their own lives. But that’s so far from the truth! Being adaptable or flexible simply means we are flowing with life, which is better, and not becoming like a ship in the ocean being battered from all sides by the waves surrounding it.
6. Learn to love yourself.
If you don’t find yourself lovable, how can anyone else? If you can’t stand to be around yourself, then how can you expect anyone else to want to? Many people have a love/hate relationship with themselves that seeps into their other relationships. The only way to avoid this is coming to terms with who you are.
If you don’t find yourself lovable, how can anyone else?
I haven’t given all of the answers here. These are simply suggestions to making a fresh start in living your life well.
So today, start living your life ON PURPOSE and WITH PURPOSE. It truly is up to you!
I grew up in a single-parent home with no siblings and dropped out of high school. At 18 years old, I ended up in the emergency medical field working on an ambulance and also in surgery, for a short time. I was the guy you didn't want your daughter to date and could have easily written the book on what NOT to do in life!
In 1991, I met my dream girl, Debbie, and we married six months later. My family and my faith in God have taken me from the bottom and placed me in a life that I could have only dreamed about.
I'm the CEO along with my wife, of a non-profit missions ministry that is making an impact in over 11 countries. I travel and speak from coast to coast and internationally in many different settings and have also done TV and radio. I host a monthly men's group and have a blog you can check out at Kingdom Thinking and a podcast on iTunes titled “Kingdom Thinking.”
I'm still very active in the emergency medical arena as the medical coordinator and chaplain for the local VFD which keeps me sharp and betters me to handle the stress of daily life in the corporate and entrepreneur world. I love the business world and still run a medical training company where we train both nationally and internationally.
My purpose is to help others through my writing, coaching, and mentoring and through the life I live, help others to find their purpose and help spark a fire of passion for walking that purpose out in their daily life. You can find me on Facebook or on Twitter.
Your welcome! Can I ask what spoke to you the most?
Thank you:-).