[I]t might be a little higher than 92%, but I didn’t want to brag. And I am not afraid at all for you to talk to any of my friends and family to find out if I am telling the truth.
It’s said that happiness is based on circumstances, while joy is based in the Holy Spirit. Joy is NOT determined by circumstances. We can all have it regardless of our situation.
Our son, Sam. He's happy a lot too.
However, I AM talking about being happy. This is about creating circumstances that produce happiness.
In order to get and stay happy some nouns (people, places and things) may have to change. More importantly, you may have to change (I know I did!)
Before getting to the 6 Habits of Ridiculous Happiness here’s a quick test to help you determine if you have the raw materials necessary to make happiness easier. Continue reading »
[I]t’s pretty easy to get so wrapped up searching for our purpose that we forget to live our mission.
![webcast 001 Your Mission Should You Choose to Accept It [podcast]](http://paulbevans.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/webcast.jpg "webcast")
[podcast]http://d1cezw6wwchlw4.cloudfront.net/LiveYourMission/001-Your-Mission-Should-Your-Choose-to-Accept-It.mp3[/podcast]
In this episode…
- Purpose vs Mission
- Your REAL Purpose
- 3 Traits of a Mission
- 2 Mission Choices
“What’s your purpose?”
That question implies there’s just one. And it often sends people searching.
“If only I knew my purpose.”
That statement implies that learning about purpose would suddenly create contentment. As if we will be so aligned that life will fall perfectly into place.
The truth is, however, deep down we do know our purpose. We do know what we need to do. The problem with purpose is that we are rarely on a mission. We love to think about it, it’s the action that causes the trouble.
Think about purpose for a moment…
Our area is under a tornado watch.
Gusting winds. Dark grey sky. Rumbling in the clouds.
Local weathermen and women fill the channels and commentate like Brent Musburger on Monday Night Football. (Lot’s being said, but most of it doesn’t make sense.)
Until…
“Please move to an interior room of your house.”
“Take precaution.”
PREcaution.
Be ready BEFORE the tornado comes. Prepare yourself and your family and friends for the storm.
You don’t wait for the winds to take the roof and say, “Anybody got a plan?”
Sure, you can ignore the signs (sorta like I am doing by writing this right now.) But it doesn’t change the danger.
Listen…
You know what your personal tornados. You know what triggers your storm. You know the pattern in your life that causes you to swirl out of control.
Don’t deny it.
Don’t ignore it.
You know ahead of time the damage of your words.
You know ahead of time the destructive force of your actions.
You know ahead of time the devastation left in your path when you really get loose.
Take PREcaution.
PREpare a song or scripture or quote or memory to calm to the storm. To bring you focus. Something simple you can remember and act on immediately. (It’s to late to turn on the weather channel after the house blows away.)
“Well, sometimes I just lose it.”
Bull.
“If you knew my (friend/wife/child/co-worker), you would see I have a right to (shout/argue/maim).”
That’s stupid.
A good reason to damage does not exist.
Success is NOT an Accident,
Paul
When someone says, “You know, you really need to change…”
Too often we get defensive.
Too often we get hurt.
Too often we point to a flaw in the person telling us what to change.
Too often we justify.
Instead, like my buddy did in the last post, we could just say, “I’ll work on that.”
And then do it.
Work on it.
Example: “I’m SICK of the way our house is a wreck because you will never pick anything up!”
The proper response is NOT…
“Well, you don’t seem to be doing to much with yourself, so I certainly didn’t think the house mattered.”
Repeat. That is NOT that way to respond.
Instead… “I’ll work on that.”
Then do it.
No committee is necessary. You don’t need to read a book on how to pick up after yourself. You don’t need a seminar or course.
Most of the changes we need to make are simple. Just a tiny bit of thought. A little awareness.
“Huh, there’s underwear hanging on that lamp. Seems like something should be done… ahhhhhhh… I could take that to the laundry!”
See. Simple.
And MOST of life is like that. MOST of the changes we need to make are like that. Simple.
If pride doesn’t get us first.
If we can accept that helping others doesn’t make us look weak.
That doing something, even if it’s status quo, doesn’t make us a sellout.
Let’s listen to what those around us say we need to change. Let’s change. At the very, very least let’s say…
“I’ll work on that.”
The goal of this book is simple…
To help you to care about your life and the life of everyone around you… intentionally.
To help you live the greatest commands.
To help you lay down at night with 100% confidence that your life that day was valuable.
To help you discover your strengths, talents and abilities… maximize them… and use them to help others.
To help you live in a way that will makes others happy to see you coming and sad to see you going.
To help you focus on the essentials, lay aside the petty, and live outside the judgment of the masses.
To help you achieve the life you’ve always wanted, but seems so far away at times.
To help you create and experience incredible family and friendships.
To help you love your work regardless of what it is.
To help you live a life that counts.
To help you change your world… for good.
Do you believe that?
Do you believe that deep down everyone wants their life to count? They want to get to the end of life and look back and see the difference they made?
Well, it’s not actually true. There are plenty of people who live only for the selfish moment.
Why would I even tell you this?
Because as you are making a difference. As you attempt to make an impact. As you focus on making your life count… there will be those who just don’t care.
We tend to think in terms of fairness. If we are kind to someone they will be kind. If we give our best effort it will be rewarded. If we pour out the love then we will be loved – or at least treated with a bit of respect.
But it doesn’t always happen that way does it?
You’ve done your best, tried your hardest and at times received complete rejection, right? No every time, but occasionally, right?
That’s because everyone does not care about their life counting and they don’t care about yours either.
Don’t let that discourage you. Don’t let it make you bitter as it does so many. Instead, accept it and continue to serve.
Serving and sharing should never be measured by the return. It’s measured only by the selflessness by which we give. And then, regardless of others, your life will count.
Success is NOT an Accident,
Paul
