An Arduous Ascent: The Climb of a Lifetime

By JoAnn M. Wills

Are you facing challenges in life? Do you feel like you are facing an uphill climb? Do you need food for your spirit and a safe place to rest? If so, then welcome this book. Peruse its pages, savor the Scripture verses, and slowly sip the quotes from great thought leaders. Rest and listen deeply, so the written words can provoke a personal message for you. Prepare yourself for the next level of your journey en route to your summit.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Oct 16, 2012
• ISBN: 9781449769802

JoAnn M. Wills

JoAnn Wills is a lifelong learner, student of life, and entrepreneurial spirit. As a traditional learner, JoAnn has a strong background in business and has earned an MBA in addition to bachelor and associate degrees in business administration, with specializations in leadership, marketing, and management. As an entrepreneurial spirit, she has owned/operated a healing arts studio as a licensed massage therapist. As a student of life, she seeks to reach her fullest potential in life through personal development and empowerment. JoAnn enjoys writing, learning, reading, and assisting others on their journey toward reaching their fullest potential. She resides in central Pennsylvania, in the small, rural village of Yeagertown. JoAnn has two grown sons, Ronnie and Jordan. She shares her simple abode with her fiancé, Rick, her youngest son, Jordan, and a menagerie of felines.

Book preview

Contents

Awareness

Abundance

Better or Bitter?

Courage to Create Change

Difference

Enough

Forgiveness

My Prayer for You

Additional Thoughts: Compilations of Contemplations about Contentment

Bibliography

Bible Scripture Verses

About the Author

We all climb. Each and every one of us embarks on the climb – the climb of our own lifetime. This is the story of my climb, my arduous ascent of working through life’s challenges.

I penned the book as a guidepost to assist other climbers. The book is a synergy of sorts that blends memoir, workbook, and devotional. I offer this book to you, my fellow climbers, as a handbook and as gear to assist you ascend on your personal climb. I have included biblical Scriptures and quotes by great thinkers in addition to my own writings. I set the book up alphabetically by topic so that you may peruse sections or topics as they speak to you.

May my personal experiences cast light upon your path as you journey along your own climb. May you always have a firm grip and sure footing as you make your way up the slippery slopes of life.

For I know the plans I have for you, (declares the Lord) plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. ~Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

Awareness

Whatever season in your life you’re entering into, God is speaking through your story. ~Bonnie Gray {Writer}

The definition of awareness according to Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary:

Having or showing realization, perception, or knowledge.

Over the years of my forty-something lifetime, I have learned that awareness is often cultivated through the hard seasons of life—through the trial and tribulations. I have had many opportunities to cultivate awareness, as I have experienced many trials.

My climb on the slippery slope of life has included the deaths of loved ones, financial crisis, love and loss, and a host of everyday challenges we all encounter. The climb has been arduous. There have been deep, dark crevices called chaos, complexity, and change. My time spent in those deep, dark crevices eventually produced the most light—the light of awareness.

This is an awareness that we are all in the midst of a climb-an arduous ascent-as we make our way through life. Our character and integrity develop in the midst of the dark crevices of our climb. When we encounter the dark crevices, we have two choices: we can become bitter or we can become better. The level of our climb will be determined by the development of our character, and how we choose to receive growth through the learnings and lessons of life.

People cannot climb beyond the limitations of their character. ~John Maxwell {author, speaker, and pastor @ http://www.johnmaxwell.com}

Questions for Your Quest

1. What do you really, really, really want? Elizabeth Gilbert who wrote Eat, Pray, Love said it was important to emphasize what we really want; otherwise, we may not strive as hard to make it happen.

2. What was your happiest moment today?

3. What are you telling yourself today? Every day? Pay attention to what you are telling yourself. Do your words strengthen or destroy?

4. What do you see? Be mindful of the little things. Awareness will help you see so much more.

5. As you experience circumstances and situations, ask, What can this experience teach me? Pay attention to your life. Record any thoughts or notations you may have below…

Notations

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Suggestions

1. Learn to say no so that you can say yes to the things that make your heart sing… the things that revitalize you.

a. Napping or quiet time

b. Finally reading a chapter in the book you’ve been hoping to get your hands on

c. Spending time in Scripture passage that bring peace and light into your world

2. Go back to the well. Restore yourself throughout the day – each and every day.

3. Create a list of things you want to do in your life both short and long term.

4. Give yourself permission to seek your passions in life – whatever makes your heart sing.