Poetic Inspirations and Practical Applications for Blissful Living

Biz Tip: Miracles Ahead

Business Tip Miracles Ahead

Alert: Miracles Ahead

Business Tip Miracles Ahead

Image courtesy suwatpo at www.freedigitalphotos.net

 

Purposeful Pathway is the haven for faith-based entrepreneurs. Part of my mission is equipping faith-based businesses with information that is practical, actionable and Scriptural.

The theme of this post is preparing for miracles ahead!

Warmer days are here, and that means traveling trails with my children. Basking in God’s beautiful creation is a pastime we enjoy. As much as it is fun for us to return to familiar places, we also enjoy scoping out new ones. I have been amazed at how an unassuming and infrequently-traversed trail can lead to the most beautiful and rewarding of vistas. I have also found it interesting that the most gorgeous views often accompany the most challenging of hikes. Isn’t this true, too, in life and business? When we climb with persistence and hold out with faith, victorious vistas and marvelous miracles await us behind the bend…and success often lies in the most unexpected places.

How exactly do we prepare for miracles ahead? Let’s explore five ways:

 

  1. Recommit to renewal. Rarely do we experience beautiful changes in our lives without choosing to beautifully change ourselves, so commit to renewing yourself for God’s glory. “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:2) Visualize what renewal will look like in your life. Pray for wisdom and direction. Seek God’s grace and strength.
  2. Seek to stretch. Having recommitted to renewal, seek out ways to stretch yourself. What specifically can you change in your business and in your life? How can you shake things up in a positive way? What next step can you take to move beyond your comfort zone?
  3. Move forward with faith (not fear). Once you have determined how to stretch yourself, take the appropriate steps forward. Yet ensure that you do so not with a heart of fear but with a heart of faith. “But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.” (James 1:6) We reap what we sow, and it is important to sow with faith. Check your emotions frequently. Are you moving forward with fear of scarcity or with faith in abundance? With fear of failure or with faith in success? With fear of obstacles or with faith in opportunities? Pray for increased faith if you sense that fear is your propeller. Ask God for boldness, vision and courage.
  4. Rise above resistance. Yes, there will be resistance – both internal and external – when you stretch and grow. Choose to rise above the resistance by keeping your eyes fixed on the goal of your transformation. “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:14)
  5. Make room for miracles. Just as the loveliest vistas often follow the most challenging and unexpected of climbs, the most marvelous miracles often ensue the most painful stretches. Keep going. Keep moving. Keep stretching. God is allowing you to grow, and He will bless you with His graces. The more you choose to see His heavenly hand at work, the more you will see His miracles abound all around. “But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear.” (Matthew 13:16)

 

I encourage you to stretch yourself, to move past your comfort zone and to rise above resistance…in order to embrace transformation and miracles.

“You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples.” (Psalm 77:14)

If you need help with preparing for miracles or with building your business overall, I invite you to attract your ideal clients and powerfully boost your business over the next 40 days! There is no need to reinvent the wheel. I have organized my knowledge and experiences in business into an implementable 40-day series of actionable daily steps, instructional videos and powerful worksheets. If you need a serious boost in business, I encourage you to take the next step by visiting  Purposeful Pathway Business Academy today!


Let’s Pray:  Miracle Maker, Glorious God, we are so thankful for the miracles You perform in our lives. Stretch us, Loving Lord, such that we grow for Your glory. Move us in the directions that will bring us closer to You. Lead us, Heavenly Healer, in the way that will sculpt us more and more into Christ’s image. We love you with every fiber of our beings, every moment of every day, every step of the pathway…and it is in Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen.

I Treasure Your Thoughts and Comments!

Bunt or Swing for the Fence?

Free Image vectorolie

Bunt or Swing for the Fence?

Guest Post by Heart and Soul Health Coach Mike Fenton

  

 Free Image vectorolie

Image courtesy of vectorolie at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

 

The pitcher winds-up, the pitch, oh it’s a beauty right down the center of the plate! You think to yourself, this could be a souvenir for someone standing out in the parking lot, but wait, the coach said to lay a bunt down the third baseline. The temptation is there to do what you think is right, however the coach was very specific in what he wanted you to do. Sound familiar? We are constantly being tempted to do what we want and feel is right, while ignoring what is being asked of us. God is very specific in what he wants us to do and very specific in telling us what he does not want us to do. So why do we feel that we know better and don’t live our lives as we are asked to?

Do we feel we know more than God the creator of everything we know and see? Or is it the devil luring us to do what he wants, instead of us following God’s word? Remember the devils conversation with Eve in The Garden of Eden, how he told her that the tree of knowledge was a good tree of fruit and if she ate of it she would become all knowing, like God? How did that work out?

While not following what we have been told may get us a homerun, and it may feel good while running the bases, when we reach the dugout the coach is not going to be happy with us. The same holds true in the words God has spoken to us. The Bible tells us in 1 Peter 1:14 (14) “As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance”. Ignorance is thinking we know better, we do not, and we are fooling ourselves to believe otherwise.

There is only one true coach, our God Almighty, he expects us to live our life according to His word. We must be strong enough in spirit and faith so that we no longer listen to the devils lies telling us to “go ahead do what we want, live how we want, we are the only ones that know what’s best for us”. Those words come from another coach, and he plays for the wrong side!

May Reflection – I am waiting on the direction of my Lord, Jesus Christ. He will guide me all the days of my life.          

  

 

 

Guest Post: More Important than a Specific Diet

Image courtesy Ann Musico at www.threedimensionalvitality.com

Health and Weight Loss: More Important Than a Specific Diet – Step One!

Guest Post by Ann Musico

Image courtesy Ann Musico at www.threedimensionalvitality.com

Image courtesy Ann Musico at www.threedimensionalvitality.com

 

So many people begin a weight loss plan full of energy, enthusiasm and discipline. That may last anywhere from a few weeks to a few months depending on their progress, level of determination and what success they enjoy. Many reach their “goal” weight – celebrate with the junk food they love best and gradually slip right back into their old habits – regaining what they lost and often even more.

What causes this loss of that initial enthusiasm? From my own personal experience and from working with clients I believe it comes down to not having a compelling reason. What I mean by that is this: your goal may be to lose 20, 30 or 50 lbs or to get into a size 6, 10 or 12. That’s what I consider your “superficial” goal. If someone asked you why you were on a particular weight loss plan, you might say, “To lose 20 lbs.” But that’s not the compelling reason. Why do you want to lose the 20 lbs? Is it to be able to climb stairs without getting out of breath; to avoid developing diabetes like your mother; to have energy to play with your children or grandchildren; to travel with your spouse; to be healthy and energetic, to look amazing for your age? You must establish a clear, very personal goal you are passionate about.

Once you do this, you will find it much easier to stay inspired and motivated. Also, be willing to stay flexible and make adjustments, to change things up as you find what works well for you and what doesn’t. Different things work at different times. Life is not static and neither is your body or your health!

So before you begin Today’s the Day or any other plan you feel will be one you can incorporate into your daily life long-term, take the time to find your own compelling why. It can be the difference between losing a few pounds and then gaining them right back or keeping them off long-term and making lifestyle changes rather than just going on a diet.

What is your compelling why – for losing weight or for maintaining healthy weight?

Ann Musico 2Ann Musico is a holistic health coach who works with women of all ages to empower them to exemplify lives of vibrant health and wholeness – spirit, soul and body – in a way that is simple and effective, in order to be a positive influence in their world.  Her focus is on nutrition, detox and healthy, long term weight loss because she believes those areas are most often the root cause of so many other problems. And she addresses them not only from the physical but also the spirit and soul as well, which are often overlooked. Learn more at http://www.threedimensionalvitality.com

Poem: Comfort of Christ

Comfort of Christ Poem

Comfort of Christ

Comfort of Christ Poem

Image courtesy Sura Nualpradid at www.freedigitialphotos.net

 

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)

 

When challenges encounter,

When trials beset me,

When obstacles and mountains

Are all that I see,

 

When my heart aches,

When tears brim in my eye,

When I long to escape,

To be free and to fly,

 

I look up to You,

Your Name I call,

I ask You to lift me

When I stumble and fall…

 

You smile at me,

You reach out Your hand,

You remind me lovingly

Only good You planned,

 

You show me the horizon

So beautiful and bright,

You kiss my pathway

With Your sweet sunlight,

 

You whisper of heaven,

Of treasures in store,

You show I have everything,

Indeed even more.

 

Yes, You dry my tears,

You kiss away each one

With soft sparkling rays

Of the shining sun.

 

So I need not worry

When I stumble and fall,

As You are here with me

Always through it all,

 

You bring joy to my heart,

A sparkle to my eye,

You set my soul free

To soar and to fly…

 

Yes, beautiful bliss

Is now the vista I see,

As You, my sweet Jesus,

Are here with me!

 

 

© COPYRIGHT 2014 Caroline Gavin

 

How has Christ comforted you?

I treasure your Thoughts and Comments!

~*~

Want more joy for your journey? I offer 5 complimentary “Take Me to Transformation” consultations per month. Contact me via caroline@purposefulpathway.com to see if you qualify for this powerful session. Walk away with heightened clarity, renewed energy and a customized action step plan!

Time for Life

Free Image courtesy Naypong

Time for Life

Guest Post by Heart and Soul Health Coach Mike Fenton

  

 

 Free Image courtesy Naypong

Image courtesy of Naypong at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

 

In this fast-paced world we live in, the question arises; “How Can We Find Time for Life”? Finding time to enjoy the many simple things that life provides us can be challenging. We tend to overload our schedules to the point that we feel we don’t have time to get the proper amount of sleep. We must do this or we must do that, leaving us little time for rest…we think. Jesus relaxed, and he never felt guilty about it. Even God took a day off after Creation. Who are we to think we’re too busy to get the proper rest?

When we think we don’t have time for rest and don’t get it what happens next is we become overtired and try to boost our energy level with caffeine, sugar or carbs, which ultimately leaves us more tired and less productive than before. We are in a state where we are less productive and right back where we started from, behind in our work, and not having time for life!

The best way to boost our energy level is to take time to re-energize our mind, body and spirit by taking time for ourselves. Sleep is one way we re-energize, another is practicing time management. Setting aside time for ourselves during the day to go for a walk, turn off the cell phone, and to bring ourselves into the present moment. It is important to take time to feel, smell and touch the things around us. By taking this time we will feel better, have more energy, and be more productive. Meditation can be a great way to re-energize and is something you can do in the office or at home.

You may be thinking to yourself, this sounds good but my day is filled, I just don’t have time! If we begin by taking small time increments for ourselves, and slowly increase those increments over time, we will ultimately find ways to make time for ourselves to re-energize. Once we start feeling better, more rested, and happier, we will see more productivity, and as we become more productive it will free-up more time to take care of ourselves.

By freeing up more time to take care of ourselves, we also will eat better because there will be more time to shop for healthy foods, and more time to cook healthy meals. It will give us more time for life.

“The Mind that is Anxious about Future Events is Miserable”

Seneca

(4BC – 65AD)

Biz Tip: Taking Stock of Your Flock

Taking Stock of Your Flock

Taking Stock of Your Flock

Image courtesy Dr. Joseph Valks at www.freedigitalphotos.net

 

Purposeful Pathway is the haven for faith-based entrepreneurs. Part of my mission is equipping faith-based businesses with information that is practical, actionable and Scriptural.

The theme of this post is taking stock of your flock!

Spring has sprung here in the beautiful Berkshires, and I am beyond grateful for this blissful time of year! The songs of birds are among the many treasures of springtime. I have found the observation of birds to be more and more interesting. True to the adage, “birds of a feather flock together.” Like-feathered birds provide companionship as well as instruction. They sing to each other about opportunities for finding food and shelter; in the midst of their work, they orchestrate beautiful music. How about us? Are we surrounding ourselves with people who bring out the best in us? The people who inspire us to be all we can be for God’s glory? In that “birds of a feather flock together,” it is wise for us to periodically take stock of our flock.

How exactly do we take stock of our flock for better business? Let’s explore five ways:

 

  1. Inventory. Take an inventory of those with whom you spend time both personally and professionally. This list may seem obvious, but it is helpful to take the time to write the list. You may find valuable insights and inspirations as you write. Perhaps, for example, your list is heavily weighted with professional colleagues but few personal friends (or vice versa).
  2. Investigate. Assess how you feel about and what fruit has been borne from spending time with these various individuals or groups. Jesus calls us to love others as He loves us (John 13:34); that being said, we must remember that “bad company corrupts good morals.” (1 Corinthians 15:33) So, from a space of love, evaluate the results of being with certain people. For example, do you feel uplifted, motivated and inspired when you spend time with a certain person? Or, on the other hand, do you feel drained, resentful or prone to complain? Evaluate honestly and prayerfully.
  3. Inquire. Once you have written your list, inquire of God how you can improve in your relationships. Seek God’s guidance regarding where to spend more time and where to spend less. “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) Sometimes we have no choice but to remain in a challenging relationship; it may be, ultimately, for God’s glory and our growth. Oftentimes, however, our feelings of being drained, deflated or distracted are red flags of less-than-healthy dynamics.
  4. Invite. With careful prayer and consideration, choose to channel less energy into relationships that bear little God-glorifying fruit and more energy into those that do. Life and relationships are constantly in flux; God may lead you away from one person during a season and lead you back in another season. Trust His wisdom and follow His lead…even if He reveals only one step at a time. “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” (Psalm 119:105)
  5. Inspire. Having taken stock of your flock and having surrounded yourself with those who inspire you, choose to inspire all who are around you. “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.” (Proverbs 27:17) Show gratitude to those who inspire you, and – most importantly – lift love, praise and gratitude to Our Father who shines through them (and you).

 

“Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.” (Proverbs 13:20) I encourage you to take stock of your flock in order to increase your wisdom, boost your business and deepen your joy.

If you need help with taking stock of your flock or with building your business overall, I invite you to attract your ideal clients and powerfully boost your business over the next 40 days! There is no need to reinvent the wheel. I have organized my knowledge and experiences in business into an implementable 40-day series of actionable daily steps, instructional videos and powerful worksheets. If you need a serious boost in business, I encourage you to take the next step by visiting  Purposeful Pathway Business Academy today!


Let’s Pray:  Faithful Father, Savior and Shepherd, so thankful we are to be a part of Your flock. So happy we are to be a part of Your Heavenly Family. Help us, O Lord, to surround ourselves with the people who will inspire us to best serve You and others. Guide us to those who will bring out the best in us for Your glory. We love you with every fiber of our beings, every moment of every day, every step of the pathway…and it is in Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen.

I Treasure Your Thoughts and Comments!

Poem: Dancing Winds (A Song for Spring)

Poem: Dancing Winds

 

Dancing Winds (A Song for Spring)

Poem: Dancing Winds

Image courtesy feelart at www.freedigitalphotos.net

 

 

“The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” (John 3:8)

 

Winds dance

Through young leaves of spring,

Whispering of changes

My Creator does bring,

 

Singing of renewal,

Of things made new,

Of dark winter skies

Colored brilliantly blue,

 

Of pain and loss

Becoming fertile ground

For every sweet grace

My soul has found.

 

Yes, the winds dance

Through leaves of green,

Whispering of changes

Now yet unseen…

 

And so my heart

Smiles in this dance,

Singing of Jesus

Each and ev’ry chance,

 

For He is my Maker,

One renewing all,

He is Creator of seasons,

Of spring and fall,

 

He is the sunshine

Brightening the skies,

He is the hope

Wiping tears from my eyes.

 

So with dancing winds

Which now abound,

I sing of every grace

My soul has found,

 

I sing of renewal,

Of things made new,

Of dark winter skies

Colored brilliantly blue…

 

Yes, as winds dance

Through young leaves of spring,

I rejoice in the changes

My Jesus does bring!

 

 

© COPYRIGHT 2014 Caroline Gavin

 

How do you celebrate renewal and refreshment in Jesus?

I treasure your Thoughts and Comments!

~*~

Want more joy for your journey? I offer 5 complimentary “Take Me to Transformation” consultations per month. Contact me via caroline@purposefulpathway.com to see if you qualify for this powerful session. Walk away with heightened clarity, renewed energy and a customized action step plan!

Guest Post: Rise Up

Rise Up

Guest Post by Heart and Soul Health Coach Mike Fenton

 

    The saying “when life hands you a lemon make lemonade” simply put, it means, that no matter how bad your day is getting, you should look for something positive to take from it. Life will throw us a lemon from time to time, the question is, how will we handle it when it happens? Will we rise to the occasion and make lemonade or will we say “oh woe is me” and just accept it.

 

When Jesus went to pray in The Garden of Gethsemane he was deeply troubled and frightened over what he knew was about to happen, let us revisit that night in Matthew 26:37-42    37 He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” 39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” 40 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. 41 “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 42 He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.”

 

Because of what Jesus did we now have faith and hope we will be spending eternity with him in Heaven. He gave this to us by rising to the occasion (in more ways than one). We may not always like what life presents us, but what matters most is how we respond to it.

 

     April Reflection – Lord, I am ready and can rise to the occasion.

Guest Post: Missing Pieces

Missing Pieces

Guest Post by Heart and Soul Health Coach Mike Fenton

  

 

      Have you ever put together a large jigsaw puzzle and found that when you reached the end you were missing a piece? The first reaction is disbelief, the second, an all-out effort to look for the elusive piece. Life can sometimes be like a puzzle, we start with the basic pieces (usually the outline) and as we age we begin to fill-in the rest, similar to a puzzle. When we are young we have the basics from our upbringing, and as we age we keep adding more pieces to ourselves through our experiences, education and faith. This usually helps to determine our characteristics, traits and personality. It is our hope that we have all the pieces so that we become a totally well-rounded person.

 

     But what happens if during our lifetime we don’t collect all the pieces we need to become a totally well-rounded person, or if during our life we have lost a piece or two, can we still become that totally well-rounded person we had hoped to become? Of course we can! People grow and experience life at different stages and times, because of that, we ALL grow into who we are at these different stages and times of our lives. You can see that especially during the teenage years when some opt to become young men and women, while others wish to cling to their youth a little longer. Not that there is anything wrong with either path, it just shows that change differs in each individual’s life.

     There are three areas that can help us to become a totally well-rounded person, they are:

 

Physical Wellness – first, when we pay attention to things we put into our bodies, making sure that we are eating foods that are good for us, and that they provide us with our daily nutritional needs. When it comes to eating I coach my clients to “eat what you need, not what you want”. Portion control is an excellent way to keep the extra pounds off and can be as effective as any good diet plan. Second is making some form of exercise or physical activity part of our daily life.

 

Mental Wellness – this comes in many different forms, from meditation to an afternoon fishing on the lake. It’s that place we go to “turn the static” off, and just enjoy the present moment. The importance of mental wellness cannot be over-stated, we must take time to quiet our mind. By taking the time to quiet our mind we help reduce stress (which is now the number one precursor to most major diseases). Eliminate the stress and it will add years to your life!

 

Spiritual Wellness – spiritual wellness is food for the soul, when we are happy in spirit everything changes. Life’s problems no longer seem so large. We are less stressful and for the most part we are happier. When we are happier those around us are usually happier too.

 

     These are the three areas I refer to as “Total Wellness” – when mind, body and spirit all come together as one in good health. This is the foundation to my “Total Wellness” Health Coaching Programs.

 

If you would like more information on “Total Wellness” or if you would like to schedule a FREE 50 minute personal health consultation with me, I can be reached at mike@mikefentoncoaching.com

“Energy and persistence conquer all things”

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790)