Journey Of Life

By Guest Blogger – Nicole B. Simpson

If money were not an issue, what would be your life purpose?

Today is an opportunity to ponder this question in such an uncertain economic climate.  Company layoffs are still occurring, physical ailments are increasing due to stress and anxiety, and many people are beyond financial devastation.  Yet the message of hope and opportunity presents itself in the midst of the storm is being heard everywhere you turn.  You hear the message but you are wondering if it applies to you.  You’re doing all that you know to do and yet you still find yourself in the desert place.

How does one recover from a catastrophic event and begin the journey to recovery?  Even with the best laid out plans, life happens. People die, people lose jobs, people separate, people start over, and people fall ill.  At the root of many of these issues, lies the “elephant in the room.”  How will I handle this financially?   Life challenges are easier to handle when one is working and depending upon a check every week or two.  But what happens when you are the one who received the latest pink slip immediately after a diagnosis of high blood pressure, diabetes or even cancer?  What if you just decided to leave your spouse?  Perhaps you are the one entwined in the midst of the subprime mess and when the interest rate adjusted on your mortgage, you could no longer handle your monthly obligations?

The pressures of life are overwhelming and the belief that everything will work out feels so distant.  But opportunity is present.  The question then becomes how do you identify the opportunity, maximize on the moment, and find financial security?  Taking a holistic approach to picking up the pieces of your life and regaining control will take time.  If you begin working an average of 12-16 hours daily over any extended period of time, your health will suffer causing additional complications you did not prepare for.  However, if that is your only option, it becomes easier to endure when you are seeking to achieve a goal that will ensure you will never repeat the cycle of financial lack.

Shifting your mindset is possible when you are in connection with your true heart’s desires.  Your passion will direct your footsteps, divinely connect you with people who can assist you, and encourage you when you need it the most.  When you align yourself with your passion or plan for your life, financial security becomes a reality.  It seems difficult because you don’t know where to begin.  Listed are a few steps that will help you to move forward.

1. Begin to lay a secure foundation physically, mentally and financially.  Make a conscious decision to begin navigating through life proactively, not reactively.  Very often people allow life issues and current circumstances to dictate behavior and distract them from their dreams.   While in this mindset, concern about your physical well-being is virtually nonexistent.  By taking control of your life, you can control your destiny.
2. Create a life plan.  You’ve heard of a business plan and a financial plan.  But do you have a life plan?  Begin to assess where you are standing in life.  What do you love to do?  Do you have a desire to serve in a particular area or field?  Have you identified your natural talents and/or abilities and the career that compliments those talents?  While you may find it necessary to seek employment to provide for your family, exploring all options that will allow you to line up with your purpose will begin the process of living a pre-ordained lifestyle.  This will not always be easy but it is productive.
3. Evaluate relationships and be willing to shift. If you find yourself at the top of the ladder of success in your immediate circle, you need to make some serious adjustments.  Seek out multiple mentors that are willing to not only share their time and connections with you, but they should be capable of holding you accountable as you work toward achieving your life plan.  In addition, they should stand with you and be available to you during your weakest moments.   At the same time, you need to be available to individuals who can learn from you.
4. Be responsible and accountable.  This is where most individuals are stagnant.  If you would reflect honestly, you will recognize signs when you ignored your inner voice warning you the decision you were making was wrong.  There are some areas where that voice was screaming at you but because you could not see past the gas bill, the mortgage, or the job itself, you did not heed the call.  Spending recklessly and even enlisting your children’s help to avoid bill collectors.  When you are ready to face reality, you will then identify mandatory expenses from the things that are optional.  You will reach out to various lenders and negotiate payment arrangements.  Most importantly, you will become accountable.  Even if you cannot make financial commitment, you will no longer avoid phone calls.  Operating with integrity with your finances will reflect serious commitment to wanting things to be different in your life overall.

When you live your life on purpose, you will find prosperity in every area of your life.  You will recognize there is an overflow of blessings in which you can freely share with others.  You will find that you are not consumed with physical limitations affiliated with anxiety and stress, and you will be willing to work long hours because the reward and benefits far exceed a check every week or two.

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Do you have what it takes to look certain death in the face and fight back? Our newest guest blogger here at StopStressingNow.Com did just that. In what is quite possibly the most famous terrorist attack in history, this inspiring lady dug deep within and found the sheer will to survive. Her story has touched me personally, so I asked her to share with us some of what she has learned since the day the world stood still. She was there. September 11th 2001.

It’s with great pleasure I introduce to you someone you will never forget…

Nicole B. Simpson

For More Information on Nicole, please visit: www.NicoleBSimpson.com