Start the New Year with learning how to Love Better.

We hear how important self-care is, and that is true. But, how can you care for yourself if you don’t love yourself?

So many people struggle with this. Life circumstances have beat them down and they struggle to love others because they don’t love themselves.

You can change that!

Knowing you are loved makes all the difference.

I love the beginning of John 3:16, a bible verse that most people know. “For God so Loved the world that he gave.”

You are Loved!

God Loves You!

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given.” Isaiah 9:6

Jesus was born to give us life.

He is the Reason for the Season.

“Joy to the world, the Lord has come!”

What’s so merry about Christmas? Jesus!

I am so thankful for this season and time with family and friends, but I am most grateful for life in Jesus.

He has given me life, and sustained me through this year and my cancer battle. He is always with me and I am so grateful!

And I am Blessed with an amazing family and community.

Thank you all of you for a tremendous 2024. Your love, support, and prayers for me and my family have made such a difference. I am truly grateful.

We are in a Season filled with Hope!

Christmas time is a time to give and love and feel that spirit of hope through what is all around us. But, it is not just a feeling. Hope is a Choice!

So I recommend… Choose Hope.

Hope is a great mindset to live by and an even better perspective on life, believing there are better things to come in your personal life and your business.

Being filled with hope helps you in all you do as you move forward with your life.

In Proverbs 29:18 it tells us that without Hope the people perish.

So hold on to Hope

Hope gives us strength to do amazing things.

What do you love?

Is it your business and work, or are you in the business of loving people?

What is really important in your life?

Often you can get so caught up in loving your business. If you are spending all your time working on your business and not focused on the people, you lose focus on what’s really important.

Zig Ziglar says, “you build the people, and then the people build your business.” That means focus on loving people first.

Love is a choice.

It is a verb, not a noun.

So who do you love?

When you start each day, where does your Joy come from?

Who or what is your source of Joy and Hope?

In Nehemiah 8:10  it says, “Don’t be dejected and sad, for the Joy of the Lord is your strength.”

It is so easy to get dejected and down through life struggles. I have learned this first hand and I have had to make a choice.

Yes, that’s right, you can choose a life filled with Joy.

I choose Jesus in my life for he is my source of Joy and Strength.

So let me ask you again, when life struggles come, and they will, who or what is your source of Joy and Hope?

I have had my moments lately. Struggling through my health and business.

There are times I feel down and like a heavy weight is on my shoulders. I feel unable to do what I think I need to do to be successful and provide for my family.

I feel like I am failing.

Then I remember that my feelings and circumstances do not define me. I serve a Big God who is right beside me through it all.

We all fail to achieve what we want to accomplish at times… it is human nature.

We are not perfect.

We need to hold on.

I Choose Life… I choose to live by choice, not by chance and I choose my perspective on life.

This is a God-given blessing we all have.

“Today I choose life. Every morning when I wake up I can choose joy, happiness, negativity, pain... To feel the freedom that comes from being able to continue to make mistakes and choices - today I choose to feel life, not to deny my humanity but embrace it.” - Kevyn Aucoin

We are all human and we all have ups and downs in life, but after each thing happens, we get to choose what to do with it and where to go from there.

(from “Befuddled? Live the Life You Choose!)

HOW DO WE SIMPLIFY?

Here are four steps that have helped me.

1. Slow Down

2. Declutter

3. Reduce Activity

4. Rest and Breathe

When we live and work together in unity, God can do amazing things!

We are truly Better Together.

We were created for community and unity.

In this chaotic and divided world we need to come together more than ever.

The division we see today only creates roadblocks to progress and success. We need to choose to come together.

Whether it is in business, family, or our friends and community, unity is the driving force.

Think Ahead.

What is your plan for today?

From Craig Groeschel’s Book, “Think Ahead,” here are 7 decisions you can make today for the God-Honoring life you want tomorrow. Here are all seven, and today we will cover the first four.

1. I will be ready

2. I will be devoted

3. I will be faithful

4. I will be an influencer

5. I will be generous

6. I will be consistent

7. I will be a finisher

Life is filled with choices.

When you’re up against the wall and you feel stuck... Choose what’s most important.

When you’re in an argument with your best friend or your spouse… Choose what’s most important.

When you get bad news, you feel like someone’s just knocked the wind out of you… Choose what’s most important.

When you have time to spend with your family and the ones you love… Choose what’s most important.

There is a battle going on in your mind.

You can change the direction of your life with your thoughts.

“Our lives are always moving in the direction of our strongest thoughts. What we think shapes who we are.” Craig Groeschel

Craig Groeschel is an amazing speaker on Leadership, Pastor of Life Church, and author of the book, “Winning the War in Your Mind.”

When it comes to you, what are you thinking about?

Are you filled with limiting beliefs and imposter syndrome?

Learn more about perspectives on cancer by getting volume one or two of this amazing book.

I was blessed to be one of the authors of volume two.

It is an amazing and inspiring group that I was blessed to be part of.

Although we have all been through a lot, it is our opportunity to share our “Perspectives on Cancer.” Special Thanks to my friend Tim Sohn and the other amazing co-authors. This book provides hope and inspiration, now matter what life brings your way.

Whether you have cancer or are going through other life trials, there is truly hope.

I am a firm believer that “God works all things for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28

There is good out there somewhere, you just have to find it… Choose a Good Perspective.

I encourage you to go to Amazon and get your copy today. I do not make a dime off the book, but am blessed to have had the opportunity to share my journey with you and so many others.

Joy is a choice.

You can live a joyful life, but you must intentionally choose it.

Even through your life struggles, when you are not happy, you can choose to live with Joy.

“I live a very joyful life, with a lot of laughter and good times.” - Kimberly Elise

Choosing joy ultimately brings smiles, laughter and happiness.

Laughter truly is the best medicine. Even if you have to make yourself laugh, it improves your health, attitude and brings joy to your soul.

Choose Hope!

“We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.” - Martin Luther King, Jr.

Struggles will come, but we can always choose hope!

It’s up to you. Simple as it may sound, you shape your own perspective everyday with the choices you make.

Even when it is tough, you can hang on. Through my cancer battle I have learned this, and I choose and practice it daily.

“When you’re at the end of your rope, tie a knot and hold on.” - Theodore Roosevelt

Do what it takes to hold on through the struggle, and know there is hope on the other side.

There are good plans for you.

Today is your chance to Live Life With All You’ve Got!

To dream big and take consistent, positive action.

“I've got a theory that if you give 100% all of the time, somehow things will work out in the end.” - Larry Bird

Yes… I love that quote by Larry Bird, give it 100% and trust God and things will work out for you.

It takes work, consistency, and the mind of a winner. 

“Winners, I am convinced, imagine their dreams first. They want it with all their heart and expect it to come true. There is, I believe, no other way to live.” - Joe Montana

You have to expect good things to happen. This is how you live life with all you’ve got.

How you look at your life makes a world of difference.

Perspective!

This is the driver of how you live and what you have to give to others. If you are not in alignment with a good perspective, you won’t have anything left for others.

Do you want to make a difference?

Do you want to impact others for good?

“The greatest good is what we do for one another.” - Mother Teresa

How can you keep a good perspective when life deals you tough challenges?

What do you do when life is hard?

Sometimes, life gets hard and things are not going your way, but remember, your circumstances do not define you! You can choose to live life with a good perspective in spite of what is happening.

“Life happens for you, not to you!” - Ed Mylett

There is a reason for everything that happens.

I am a firm believer that “God works all things for the good of those who love Him” -Romans 8:28

I love God and I choose to focus on the Good!

Time…

“Right Now” is so important… Don’t let time slip away.

“Time is not refundable, use it with intention.” - unknown

It is always good to plan, but you need to act now. Don’t wait!

We don’t know what tomorrow will bring, only God does.

“We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.” Proverbs 16:9

God is good and he wants you to focus on people, and what is happening now.

Love People and your life and business will grow, even through the setbacks and struggles, and there will always be some.

It’s called Life.

God created you for something Amazing!

You have value beyond what you can comprehend.

Why? Because God created you that way.

Today is your day to impact your world!

“You were created on purpose for a purpose.” - Reggie McNeal

Live with purpose and on purpose.