Live a Legacy: Spiritual Principles for Strategic Living

By Jonathan D Benz

Living spiritually and practically is possible and attainable. The fifty-two meditations found in LIVE A LEGACY will guide you with inspiration and application. Now is your time to live life proactively and according to your deeply held ideals. Your spiritual journey should be enjoyed. LIVE A LEGACY will launch you into enjoying your journey today!

LEARN HOW TO:

- Develop influence

- Plan your life strategically

- Overcome fears and failure

- Seize new opportunities

- Embrace opposition

- Communicate more effectively

- Believe the best in any situation

- Connect to your purpose

- Dream again

- Change your world

• Language: English
• Publisher: Balboa Press
• Release date: Oct 28, 2011
• ISBN: 9781452541396

Jonathan D Benz

JONATHAN BENZ is a spiritual teacher, writer, and counselor. Holding a master of science degree in psychology as well as a ministry ordination, he teaches spiritual principles and strategic problem solving to people in the midst of life transitions. Known for his wit, wisdom, and pragmatic approach, he has carried his message of strategic, spiritual living to forty countries. He resides in West Palm Beach, Florida.

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Copyright © 2011 Jonathan D. Benz

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

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ISBN: 978-1-4525-4138-9 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4525-4137-2 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4525-4139-6 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2011918799

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

The author of this book does not dispense medical advice or prescribe the use of any technique as a form of treatment for physical, emotional, or medical problems without the advice of a physician, either directly or indirectly. The intent of the author is only to offer information of a general nature to help you in your quest for emotional and spiritual well-being. In the event you use any of the information in this book for yourself, which is your constitutional right, the author and the publisher assume no responsibility for your actions.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Printed in the United States of America

Balboa Press rev. date: 10/25/2011

Contents

Preface

Mantles of Greatness

Know Yourself

Know What You Believe

Know Your Ability

Doing Your Best, Smartly

Developing Rapport

Congruence Produces Synergy

No Small Plans

Understanding Influence

Developing Influence

Strategic Thinking

Change Your Mind

Meaningful Purpose

Unexpected Things

Face Your Fears

Face Your Failures

Choose Your Battles

Seize the Opportunity

Saying ‘No’ Nicely

Living ‘Yes’

No Longer a Victim

Right Relationship

Lifelong Learning

Creative Spirit

Effective Communication

Clear the Clutter

Guiding Principles

Embracing Opposition

Enjoy Your Journey

Ideal Living

Stay the Course

Whispered Dreams

Respectful Dissent

Holistic Living

Courage to Carry On

Influential Leadership

Team Players

Peace Negotiation

Strength in Diversity

Moving Forward

Everyday Statesmen

Healthy Habits

Friends in Babylon

Keep Your Cool

Lead, Follow, or

Get Out of the Way

Changing Your World

Believe the Best

Take a Chance

Build a Nation

Learn to Listen

Live a Legacy

Dream Again

About the Author

Resources

Praise for Live a Legacy

Jonathan Benz is a true example of soul motivator and unconditional love. His ability to take the reader to a place in spirit which lights a fire of possibility for them is amazing. Let Jonathan into your heart and you will become the whole realized human being you were meant to be.

—Rabbi Jenny Skylark Kuvin, J.D., author of The Terrible and Wonderful, Ugly and Beautiful Story of My Life So Far

My bookshelves are lined with daily meditations and self-help books I have collected over time—from Chicken Soup… to My Utmost… When I learned Jonathan was writing a book in a similar genre, I wondered if there could be anything new under the sun to encourage people who are in the midst of the whitewater of life. After reading the manuscript, I found myself answering, Oh, my, yes. Live a Legacy does so much more than encourage. It brings perspective and solutions for people who live life at the speed of the Internet. Jonathan’s reflections echo the words of Jesus, Change the way you think and you will change your life. It is destined to be a classic.

—Linda Rios Brook, author of 8 books including Jesus for Adults and Reluctant Demon Diaries; teaching pastor at Covenant Centre International, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida

No matter who we are or where we find ourselves in life, we all experience the need for direction, rest, and hope from time to time. Jonathan Benz is a man who provides that for people of all walks of life. No matter where you are on your spiritual journey, taking a moment to connect with these meditations will help you to reconnect with the gift of Life and regenerate your spirit. Many times in my own life, these meditations have provided me with just what I needed, and right when I needed it.

—D. John Dyben, M.S., Clinical Director at The Hanley Center, West Palm Beach, Florida.

For my grandfathers, Rev. R.C. Benz and Rev. Ed Denham, who both lived and left a legacy and for their wives, Violet Benz and Anna Denham, who lovingly and graciously live theirs today

We shall not cease from exploration

And the end of all our exploring

Will be to arrive where we started

And know the place for the first time.

From Little Gidding (No. 4 of Quartets), by T. S. Eliot

Preface

Writing Live a Legacy has been a spiritual journey for me. Several years ago when I began sending a weekly email meditation to professionals in the workplace who were seeking spiritual guidance, I did not realize that these meditations would evolve into the form you read now.

I have been involved in some form of lay, pastoral, or clinical counseling for over twenty years. Travelling nationally and internationally and interacting on a spiritual plane with people from diverse cultures, religions, and ideologies, I have listened to the stories of thousands of people as they search for meaning and significance on life’s journey. What has struck me profoundly is the lack of spiritual integration in many of these people’s lives. Some were never taught how to integrate spiritual principles into practical expression. Some were never parented in a healthy way or mentored for success. Others did not know how to live day-to-day other than by barely surviving. All expressed a deep desire to know how to live life according to consistent principles that would empower them for daily living.

We know that the most successful of people practice some form of holistic living. They have ceased from compartmentalizing and have learned how to integrate the sometimes disparate circumstances of life into a beautifully woven tapestry of love, joy, and serenity.

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