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THE POWER WITHIN: CLAIM IT!

iUniverse, Inc.

Contents

Introduction: Are You Settling for Less?............................................................................................................................................xvPrinciple 1: Build a Strong Personal Foundation Know what you stand for and live by it Turn your challenges into opportunities......................................................1Principle 2: Develop Your Life Philosophy Believe and invest in yourself Change what needs changing.................................................................................22Principle 3: Recognize What's Holding You Back Take the initiative to face your fears Find your motivation for success..............................................................46Principle 4: Pursue Your Purpose and Passion to Create Your Unique Life Path Identify and cultivate your inner strengths and life gifts to uncover the real you.....................65Principle 5: Unleash Your Personal Power to Initiate Change as a Bridge for Personal Growth Lighten up and turn your flaws into strengths...........................................91Principle 6: Create and Design Your Life Story Be true to yourself, "walk the walk," and experience inner peace.....................................................................116Conclusion: Take Your Show on the Road Share your gifts to make a difference Continue to transform yourself and live a most fulfilled and blessed life..............................139

Chapter One

Build a Strong Personal Foundation

Know what you stand for and live by it. Turn your challenges into opportunities.

Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming "wow! what a ride!" Hunter S. Thompson

My experience as a counselor and a life coach has helped me become more aware of the fact that people as a whole are both unique and similar to one another. We have many of the same problems, struggles, and challenges of daily living, but we handle them differently. For some of us, the roadblocks, bends in the road, and detours in life slow us down, even stop us. There are others, on the other hand, who are motivated by a challenge or hardship.

How well do you know yourself? For some, that is difficult to answer. Various clients and friends tell me that when they are going through difficult times, it is too stressful to make even one simple decision, much less attempt to manage their lives. They don't know who they are anymore. They've lost their self-worth and no longer live by their values. If this is where you are right now, don't despair. There is hope, because you can find yourself again! And as you begin your journey to know who you are and what you value, you can gain a tremendous amount of personal satisfaction.

By having a keen understanding of you, your morals, and your principles, you will develop an increased awareness of what gives your life meaning and value. These things make up your personal foundation. You may not believe it, but this foundation is where a lot of your power comes from in dealing with everyday life. It is the cornerstone of your personal and mental development. How much thought and time do you invest in this part of you?

Examine your personal foundation

Let's compare your personal foundation to the foundation of your house. Is your house made from a sturdy material? You certainly hope so. If not, you are in for a rude awakening! If the foundation is weak, a slight pressure could cause it to crack or cave in. A weak foundation causes problems throughout the entire structure.

It is the same for a person. Do you cave in or fall to pieces when you are faced with pain or troubles? When life becomes too overwhelming or demanding, is it easier for you to turn your decision making over to someone else? If you have a weak or frail foundation that is usually what happens. When you allow others to make your decisions, you become insecure in your abilities and can even lose your self-worth. Just like a house built on a poor foundation, your life comes crashing down.

Many years ago the founding fathers of our country decided on the principles that should guide our country. They incorporated them into the Constitution of the United States. They realized that for our country to be strong and be able to withstand turmoil, its citizens needed certain values, morals, and standards to live by. Their goal was not to tell us how to live, but rather to give us the means by which to live. In the same manner, eons before our Constitution was written, another firm foundation was created. A foundation upon which, if accepted and cared for, would give everyone's life meaning and fulfillment.

Jesus realized the importance of a strong foundation when He compared someone who listened to His words and applied them to everyday life as a person who built his house on rock—that is, a strong foundation. When a catastrophe came along, that man's foundation was firm and couldn't be shaken. On the opposite end of the spectrum, Jesus warned what would happen if you failed to abide by His words. He compared this to building a house on sand. Any hardship that came along would destroy the house. In other words, we can withstand any adversity if our lives are well grounded by a strong foundation. But if there is no stability in your life, it may be because of a weak foundation.

As Jesus's parable illustrates, your foundation, if firm and strong, can lead to emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being. If left unattended, a weak foundation can allow bitterness, disappointment, and pride to creep in. Which foundation will you choose?

Your life will have a much clearer meaning if you have a set of values and standards that guide you. The foundations that God, our founding fathers, and our home builders create do not force you to live in certain ways, but they all give you the means to live in certain ways. Through this, you can create your own foundation in order to build success in your life.

Your personality style will help you design your special pathway that is best suited for you. You will discover parts of you that you never knew existed! The beginning of building your personal foundation is based on your particular life philosophy. Everyone has a special outlook on life, but may not be living it. Do you know your own philosophy?

I respect the man who knows distinctly what he wishes. The greater part of all mischief in the world arises from the fact that men do not sufficiently understand their own aims. They have undertaken to build a tower, and spend no more labor on the foundation than would be necessary to erect a hut.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Fall for something or you'll stand for anything!

We've often heard the saying to stand for something or you'll fall for anything. The reverse seems more fitting in this day and time: fall for something or you'll stand for anything! If you do not change your way of thinking to fit with the majority of society, then you are mixed up. You are thought of as an oddball, or as someone who seeks attention or wants to create trouble.

Many people base how to live their lives on what other people think. Their values become believing that if...