I created a list of the 100 most influential people in my life. They were selected based on whether they influenced me in a positive way, or had such a negative impact that it altered the trajectory of my life. I review that list every Thanksgiving.
When God wants you to go in a specific direction, you can go willingly or he can carry you kicking and screaming. Trust me, it’s easier if you cooperate. You’ll soon realize that what you thought would be a horrible situation is actually rather enjoyable.
Studies show that those with a purpose live longer, sleep better and have a more robust immune system, lower stress levels and better cognitive function, Mayo Clinic reported in a recent blog post.
“Retirement is more than just relaxing and enjoying leisure time; instead, it involves actively seeking activities and interests that align with your values and passions,” Heidi Ardis wrote for Kiplinger.
“Widows aren’t delicate knick-knacks to put on a shelf and dust every now and then; they’re vital ministers to be deployed in the life of the church.,” Keith wrote. “They can teach the church a great deal about faith, devotion, service and prayer.”
Your purpose will change several times over the course of your life as God opens doors and closes others. I developed an little mnemonic acrostic to help guide you toward identifying a P.U.R.P.O.S.E. for your life at any stage.
We share our painful stories because we’re proud to have survived that challenge. Yet, we also hope that, by sharing our story, we can make the road a bit easier for others to travel.
As we go through life, we encounter people and situations for which we were specifically created to influence and change. You were created to be the deflection point that alters the trajectory of someone’s life!
Younger people often live for the weekend. Older workers live for retirement. But, retirees long to return to their youth and a time when their lives had purpose and meaning. What a vicious circle.
Pushing yourself beyond your comfort zone works to stimulate your adrenaline, and that uncomfortableness is what keeps people engaged and going.