3 Key Questions to Help You Craft Your Own Purpose Statement

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3 Key Questions to Help You Craft Your Own Purpose Statement

You have unique passions, values, gifts, and skills. Do you want to make the most of them and fulfill all God has created you to be? If your answer is yes, I highly recommend creating a purpose statement. This powerful tool can help you keep your priorities straight, gain a clearer sense of identity, and make the difference in the world that only you can make.

This week, I’m sharing three questions that will help you create a core purpose statement…

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One Secret to Connecting with God in a Deeper Way

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One Secret to Connecting with God in a Deeper Way

I’ve always loved journaling. I’ve been immortalizing my thoughts in notebooks since the tender age of nine and have found it to be a great way to sort my feelings, clarify my thoughts, and process my experiences.

As a young adult, I noticed something. Whenever I went through a phase where I wasn’t journaling much, I didn’t feel as close to God…

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Worried or Frustrated? Use this Shift in Perspective to Turn Your Problems into Opportunities for Growth

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Worried or Frustrated? Use this Shift in Perspective to Turn Your Problems into Opportunities for Growth

It took years of prodding, but about a year ago my husband finally persuaded me to incorporate strength training into my work out routine.

Strength training involves subjecting muscles to resistance, such as laying down and pushing yourself off the floor with your arms (aka the dreaded push-up) or lifting your arms while holding heavy weights…

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Dandelions are Reviled as Weeds, but I want to be Like One. Here’s Why.

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Dandelions are Reviled as Weeds, but I want to be Like One. Here’s Why.

My husband is waging war against dandelions. And, so far, the dandelions are winning.

What started out as a patch in our lower lawn has turned into a full on invasion, and our yard is almost completely covered. Slowly but surely, like a rising tide, they creep closer and closer to the house…

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Want to Promote a Positive Environment? Think About This

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Want to Promote a Positive Environment? Think About This

I came across this acronym the other day: T.H.I.N.K.

T: is it True?

H: is it Helpful?

I: is it Inspiring?

N: is it Necessary?

K: is it Kind?

Apparently it was created to encourage people to think about what they say before posting on social media, with the aim of preventing internet bullying…

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Acceptance, a Key to Your Calling

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Acceptance, a Key to Your Calling

In his book, Let Your Life Speak, writer and teacher Parker Palmer describes how he spent several years working as a community organizer. Though he felt a deep desire to teach, meeting the needs of the inner city seemed the proper path.

But in time, he realized “there was a fundamental misfit between the rough-and-tumble of organizing" and his "overly sensitive nature."…

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Will You Hear These Words on Your 100th Birthday?

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Will You Hear These Words on Your 100th Birthday?

Imagine it’s your 100th birthday. You’ve just spent all day celebrating with a big party, and now you’re resting quietly in your bedroom. Friends and family linger, taking care of after-party clean up.

Against the backdrop of household sounds—the clatter of silverware on china, the tinkle your great-grandchildren’s laughter, the chatter of guests—you reflect on the last century. Suddenly, you’re drawn from your reverie by the sound of your name. As you strain to listen in, you realize your friends are talking about you...

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A Powerful, Paradoxical Key to Confidence

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A Powerful, Paradoxical Key to Confidence

Recently, in response to some of my thoughts on how I grew to be more confident, a friend commented on her desire to overcome some of her personal insecurities. “I have such a long way to go!” she lamented.

Our exchange got me thinking about how we actually develop confidence, and I noticed a paradox...

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Being Yourself, Part 3: Five Ways to Get to Know Yourself Better

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Being Yourself, Part 3: Five Ways to Get to Know Yourself Better

“What are you passionate about?”

The question was posed by a trusted mentor. We were midway through a pizza dinner, and I can still envision her sitting across from me, her face bright and expectant.

I imagine my face looked disconcerted. I was about 21 years old, and I was at a loss for words...

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Being Yourself, Part 2: Five Benefits to Knowing and Embracing Your Characteristic Likes and Dislikes

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Being Yourself, Part 2: Five Benefits to Knowing and Embracing Your Characteristic Likes and Dislikes

It's not always easy being ourselves. Every day, we’re peppered with messages about how we “should be.” Tossed upon a sea of opinions, we sometimes question ourselves or even feel badly about our core characteristics that define who we are on a deep level.

But when we muster our courage and decide to live from our authentic selves, there are some amazing benefits...

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Being Yourself, Part 1: Finding the Courage to be Yourself

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Being Yourself, Part 1: Finding the Courage to be Yourself

Have you ever tried—and failed—to change your natural preferences to fit what someone else thought you should be?

When I started my counseling internship years ago, I was preoccupied with learning to dress professionally.

I watched hours of What Not to Wear, and like a marathoner guzzling Gatorade, I gulped down Clinton and Stacy’s advice on how to be fashionable and polished. I learned that bright colors and patterns were compelling; neutrals were boring. Well, I didn't want to be boring...

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The Power of Words—A Biblical Perspective

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The Power of Words—A Biblical Perspective

In my last post, I shared about how science gives us a glimpse into what happens in our brains when we speak or think positive or negative words.

I am fascinated by the brain, and I love how science helps us understand how we function, giving us guideposts for living a more vibrant life.

But the power of words is no modern discovery...

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How to Propel Yourself toward Your Goals with the Power of Positive Words

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How to Propel Yourself toward Your Goals with the Power of Positive Words

We’re two weeks into the New Year, and you’ve set your goals, crafted a plan, and maybe even enlisted the help of a coach or signed up for a goal achievement course. These are all great steps, but you’re at risk of falling short of your goals if you don’t have a handle on one simple thing: your words...

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Do You Need to Trim Down on Your Activities or Commitments? Here are Four Signs That it’s Time

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Do You Need to Trim Down on Your Activities or Commitments? Here are Four Signs That it’s Time

As women desiring vibrant lives, we’re drawn to good things—family gatherings, community events, volunteering for worthy causes…But sometimes, without realizing it, our commitments can get out of hand, potentially rendering us less effective, productive and joyful than we want to be...

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Why I Decided to Quit Faking It

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Why I Decided to Quit Faking It

Have you ever had something you really wanted to do, but you were scared of doing? Maybe performing in a musical recital, applying for your dream job, or introducing yourself to someone new?

I remember how nervous I was to meet with my first client at my first full time counseling job...

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7 Ways Wonder Woman Shows Us How to be Courageous, Purposeful and Amazing Women

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7 Ways Wonder Woman Shows Us How to be Courageous, Purposeful and Amazing Women

About a year ago, my husband started on a super heroes movie kick.

I’ve never been into comic books and their characters, but if you’re married or in a relationship, you know about the give and take that happens when it comes to entertainment. Let’s just say I now know more about Captain America, Batman, the Hulk and Iron Man than I ever expected to.

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