Sometimes You’ve Got To Be The Answer To Your Own Prayers: What The Woman With The Issue of Blood Can Teach Us About Goals

By: Cassandra Mack….www.strategiesforempoweredliving.com

If you’re one of the millions of people who look at the end of the year as a time to reflect and set new goals for the coming year, I want to stress something to you….Next Year Starts Now. So don’t wait a second longer to start working towards your plans, goals and dreams. Even if you think you don’t have all of the pieces pulled together just yet. Just start where you are. Make the commitment to do one thing today that will move you in the direction that you’re trying to go in.

Don’t wait. Don’t put off your plans and dreams a second longer hoping that somehow they will magically come into fruition after the holidays. Think of it this way: Each day that you delay the pursuit of your plans and goals, you also delay the changes you want to make. And while good things come to those who wait, greater things come to those who take action.

Waiting for your life to get better without doing anything to change your current situation is like getting in your car, sitting in the driver’s seat, buckling up your seat belt, yet refusing to put your hands on the steering wheel hoping that the car will somehow drive itself. It’s completely nuts. Even more, it’s a surefire way to set yourself up for disappointment. There is no way in the world that you can get from point A to point B unless you’re willing to put in the work to get there. Our lives work the same way. In order for transformation to occur…I’m talking about real change here, you’ve got to be willing to put in the work in order to make your life work.

Yesterday, on my radio show “The No More Drama Hour of Power,” the topic was, “Next Year Starts Now.” For those of you who missed it, you missed a powerful show. Here’s the link if you want to find out what you missed: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/cassandra-mack/2009/12/29/no-more-drama-hour-of-power. During this segment I was joined by Kenneth Braswell author of “When The Tear Won’t Fall,” Deborah Cofer, author of “Sistah Power,” and Michael Reynolds, host of “The Daily Grind.” They shared strategies for stepping up your game and getting ready for 2010. The common themes that kept coming up were: faith, purpose, action and persistence.

As I reflect on last night’s show and my own goals for the coming year, I am reminded of the biblical story of the woman with the issue of blood in Mathew 9: 19-22 of the Bible. There are many lessons that we can pull from this biblical story, but one that stands out for me with respect to making your life better and achieving your goals is the importance of faith, purpose, action and persistence. The story goes that there was a woman with an issue of blood. We don’t know exactly what caused the issue or why she had it for twelve years. But one thing we do know is that she was sick and tired of being sick and tired and she went after her goals with faith, purpose, action and persistence. Here are the life changing steps that she took.

Step. 1. She had a goal: To be healed

Step 2. She took bold action: She pushed through the crowd and made her way to Jesus. Then touched the hem of his robe.

Step 3. She had faith: She believed wholeheartedly, “If I can just touch the helm of his robe I’ll be healed.

Step 4. She persisted. Even though she was probably looking like a hot mess covered in blood with people snubbing their nose at her. Even though Jesus was surrounded by people and on his way to someplace else, this woman did not let the fact that she may have caught him at an inconvenient time or that people might have their opinions of her to stop her from pursuing her goal of receiving her breakthrough.

Step 5. She was ready for her blessing. So much so that Jesus himself said, “ Daughter be encouraged, your faith has made you well.” Jesus was the conduit but the woman had to be open and ready to receive what was rightfully hers….a breakthrough.

So today, as you think about what you want for yourself and your loved ones for the coming year…Do like the woman with the issue of blood. 1.) Set a goal. 2.) Take bold action. 3.) Have faith. 4.) Persist with tenacity. 5.) Get ready for your breakthrough. And above all else ….remember that sometimes in order to get an answer to your prayers you’ve got to do like the woman with the issue of blood and be willing to be the answer. It’s your life, just my take on the issue.

Remember – You hold the pen that writes the chapters of your life,
Cassandra Mack, MSW
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Copyright © 2009 by Cassandra Mack. This article cannot be reprinted without expressed permission from the author.

******Cassandra Mack, MSW, is a trained social worker, an empowered living coach, corporate trainer, author of several successful books and keynote speaker. She’s the CEO of Strategies for Empowered Living Inc. a company that offers workshops, products and practical tools for empowered living, loving and overcoming. For more information go to: http://www.strategiesforempoweredliving.com

What Do Your Resoultions Look Like For 2010?

As I do every year about this time, I think about what happened in 2009, and what would I like to see happen in 2010.  I write My Top 10 accomplishments For The Past 12 Months, and then I look at My Top 10 Biggest Letdown and Lessons Learned in The Past 12 Months. I use a system of looking at 7 categories in my life, or what we like to call The Wheel of Life.  The 7 areas of life are Love Life,Family, Friends, Financial (Money), Physical (Self), Spirituality, and Work (Business). This is a 2 step process…First, write your accomplishments for each of the categories, and then your letdowns in the past 12 months. Second, come up with a goal for each category that you would like to accomplish. As they say, “If you don’t write it down, you don’t own it.” Additionally, it gives you something to look at during the year.

If you do this exercise, I guarantee that at least one of these goals will be accomplished. For me, life is too short (I will be 58 next year) to just sit around and wait. For example, I wanted to improve my spiritual connection with God so I became very active in our Church’s Connections Bible Study Group. Not only did I learn a lot more about God and the Bible, I was able to meet and reconnect with new and old friends. So I actually improved two categories with one action step.

I have set goals for a few years now. And as I have written them down and planned my business plan around them, I have been very successful even in the tough times. I do this program with people I am associated with in the mortgage industry with, and my wife. In order to truly enjoy life, we all need to change something in our lives. Remember-what you focus on, you get more of…

Happy 2010!!!

10 Things To Leave Behind In 2009

I am not ashamed to say it but I am waving good-bye to 2009. I think we can all agree that this year was filled with much joy and pain and has left us physically and spiritually spent. The year began with so much optimism many of us gathered to watch history in the making with the swearing in of the 44th President of the United States. There was the feeling of change and hope in the air. Then economy hit us hard with a tsunami wave wiping out jobs, homes, cars and even our banking accounts forcing many of us to start over or re-prioritize our lives. There were even iconic scandals (financial and celebrity) and even iconic deaths (Michael Jackson) that seemed to flow like a domino chain. These experiences have left many of us emotionally drain because if we were not in the direct line of fire we know someone that had been. The events and the experiences of 2009 were no respecter of person.

I am looking forward to 2010 because it starts a new chapter, a new decade in our lives. While last year left many heartaches and bruises I learned may lessons that I might not otherwise have seen about myself and others. I am thinking that might be the case for you as well. I decided that in 2010 I am going to lighten my load as I start the next leg of my journey. There are some things that I am not doing or saying, some people I am cutting ties with and some people I am bring along with me. I am going to see new things and going to stop going to some places, I decided that I need to change my direction or perspective in some cases and really challenge myself to step up my game and develop deeper relationships. This year it is all about going deeper and taking shorter steps which means I need to lighten my load.

Here are ten things that I recommend you stop doing and leave behind in 2009:

1.  Stop spending money on things that do not build or create wealth: The days of conspicuous consumption are over. If you do not absolutely need it (food and shelter) do not buy anything in haste or because you want it. Practice building wealth by making small and simple changes in your life by bringing your lunch to work, or save all your spare change in a money jar and use envelopes to organize your budget cash.

2.  Stop procrastinating and putting things off until tomorrow: Procrastination is a nasty habit that robs you from living in the present  and dealing with what could be done today so you can enjoy the fruits of your labor. Procrastination can be easily resolve by careful and thoughtful planning. Many of us have gotten into the habit of working on pressure and thinking that our creative juices can only flow that way. To be honest, procrastination robs you of time and money. This is time that you could be spending in the present with family and friends instead of lock up in an office or the nearest Starbucks trying to finish a project or a work assignment. You loose money because the money and resources that you spend just trying to get the project or assignment done in haste forces you to spend money that you could be saving or use elsewhere.

3.  Stop waiting on others to do something: Take action. Let this be the year or the decade that you stop letting opportunities pass you by because of fear of failure or success.

4.  Stop lying to yourself and to others: I hate to be blunt but let this be the year that you stop saying that you’re going to do something, knowing good and well that you are not. Let your yes be yes and your no be no.

5.  Stop showing up late: Here is the deal when you are late for an appointment or a causal date with friends you are sending a message that you have no respect them and speaks to how you value their time. Next year show up on time and start the meeting on time. It is possible to make a paradigm shift.

6.  Stop making excuses for ourselves: We tell ourselves what we can’t do all the time almost like a reflect action. The list just keep getting longer every day. For example, I can not get out of debt or save any money I need to borrow money to fix my money problem. When we make excuses we limit our ability to accomplish our dreams and become shortsighted on what God can do in our lives. Remember He can do anything, anything and everything.

7.  Stop playing the victim: This one is my favorites things that we need to stop doing because I think we do it and not even realize that we place the blame on others for our problems. When we play victim we place ourselves in a self imposed prison and we are the ones holding the keys for release. This year release yourself and play the role of winner or survivor. The bottom line shout “Victory” and claim your prize.

8.  Stop making promises that you know you can’t keep and overcommitting yourself: We often think that it is better to tell someone that you can do something and not deliver because if you don’t commit is a sign of weakness. Not true my friend, people begin putting you on the list of people not to depend or trust. I know you think I am exaggerating. Take your own poll and see how your friends think. In 2010, it is better to under promise and over deliver.

9.  Stop being rude: I know we often think that customer service is left in the hands of the retailers. I think over the last 10 years people are ruder and selfish. Think about how many times have been at the stop light in you car and the car behind honks to suggest that you move or better yet you having lunch or dinner with someone and their cell phone rings and they answer or decide to text. If you can identify with any of these. You are rude and I suggest that you leave this behavior behind.

10.  Stop believing everything that you read see or hear: Don’t believe hype. Stop forwarding those e-mails that tell you to forward to 10 friends and you will get your wish granted and stop responding to the Nigerian e-mails request for thousands of dollars. Seek the truth. If you don’t know something ask a professional or trace the source and inquire about the information.

The list above was made from contributions from a poll that I took last week on my Facebook page. I must thank all my friends and family for all of  their  recommendations. When I was reviewing this list I realize that we are more alike than different. The list above is a shortlist of what we need to leave behind in 2009.  Your list is certainly not going to look like mine because our experiences are different. I am here to help you achieve success in the days ahead but will also help you get the most out of stewardship experience in 2010.

It is my desire that you are inspired to be good steward over these three areas of your life: Time, Talent, Treasure. Time, you must learn to manage your time; talent you have skills and gifts and lastly treasure, your finances need to managed appropriately. All of these areas work together, when they are managed properly you will be able to become A BETTER YOU!

Pastor George

Written By Pastor George B. Thompson for Elev8.com

Here’s My Christmas List Santa, Please Do Your Best

With the holidays in our mist, I was thinking (in a perfect world) what 5 things would I really like to have for Christmas…

1. The wars to be over and terrorism to end worldwide. We have all come way past September 11th…it would be nice to be able to bring my comrades in arms home, and there would be world peace.

2. A big bag of patience  so every time I freak out over something not very important, I can reach in and grab a big hand full.

3. A love dial, so I could turn up the love in my heart and truly show all the people I care about how important they are to me.

4. A “give to others button. I have been so blessed. I need to press this button whenever needed and give money, time, compliments, appreciation and love.

5. Most important, a permanent remembrance to “Walk with God All the time.” At times I do remember, but most times I forget what this world is all about. It’s about God making the ultimate sacrifice, so we don’t have to. It’s about loving all human beings without judgement, something I sometimes struggle with, it’s about helping your fellow-man, and learning and growing closer to God. A smaller expense for Christmas wouldn’t be bad either. I would rather see more time spent with friends and family and more nice words than gifts passed around.

In this time where we celebrate the birth of Jesus, take a moment and think of  the 5 things you would really like to have. Let’s keep light on gifts and heavy on the love of this Christmas…Have a Vary Merry Christmas and Happy New Year…