Life Is a Lobster: Dig into Your Purpose

By Justinah McFadden

Justinah McFadden is a poet, novelist, and motivational speaker. In her latest work, Life Is a Lobster, Justinah poignantly uses personal life lessons and struggles to allow readers to recognize how she overcame adversity, poverty, and a trying childhood to reach her lobster. This motivational book contains twelve powerful chapters that will allow readers, no matter what their walk in life, to reach the ultimate goal we are all searching forpurpose.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: May 9, 2013
• ISBN: 9781481751162

Justinah McFadden

Justinah is the published author of five poetry books, one novel, and one quarterly magazine, Creative Thoughts Magazine. Inducted as an ambassador of poetry in 2009 by the International Society of Poets and awarded many editor choice awards, Justinah is currently pursuing her juris doctorate. For more information about the author, visit www.JustinahMcFadden.com. All works written by the author can be found at www.AuthorHouse.com. To order Life Is a Lobster book, apparel, mugs, bumper stickers, and plaque quotes, visit www.JustinahMcFadden.com To purchase greeting cards with the author’s quotes and poems, please visit www.JMGreetingCards.com.

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© 2013 by Justinah McFadden. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 05/07/2013

ISBN: 978-1-4817-5115-5 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4817-5116-2 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2013908468

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.

This book is printed on acid-free paper.

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.

CONTENTS

Acknowledgments

About The Author

Preface

Soon To Come

1. Life Is A Lobster

2. Falling Down And Getting Up

3. You Are On Earth For A Purpose

4. Accepting The Things You Cannot Change

5. You Are Destined For Greatness

6. Become Your Best Competitor

7. Sleep Later

8. Hold Every Thought Captive

9. Surrender To The Process

10. Faith, Belief, And Hope

11. The Death Of The Ego

12. The Power Of Purpose

Afterword

Motivational Speaking

For my late grandmother, Grand Ma Ruth:

The first person to teach me the importance of purpose.

For my parents, Steven and Edna McFadden:

I am living my lobster because of you… thank you for life.

For Lisa Eben:

For teaching me how to feel.

We cannot live our purpose until we can feel.

For my future:

You look beautiful.

Acknowledgments

I would like to thank my publishing company for believing in my writing. This book would not have been read and seen by many if it were not for your dedication, professionalism, and assistance. I would also like to thank all the people God has put into my life who have abetted me to dig into my purpose, meaning my very own lobster.

About the Author

Justinah is the published author of five poetry books, one novel, and one quarterly magazine, Creative Thoughts Magazine. Inducted as an ambassador of poetry in 2009 by the International Society of Poets and awarded many editor choice awards, Justinah is currently pursuing her juris doctorate. For more information about the author, visit www.JustinahMcFadden.com. All works written by the author can be found at www.AuthorHouse.com.

To order Life Is a Lobster book, apparel, mugs, bumper stickers, and plaque quotes, visit www.JustinahMcFadden.com

To purchase greeting cards with the author’s quotes and poems, please visit www.JMGreetingCards.com.

Preface

When I began writing this book, I was at the pinnacle of success, failure, and entrepreneurship. I had recently begun the process of opening my first restaurant, operated several small businesses, and had the courage to leave an abusive marriage. Being raised in an impoverished neighborhood, I felt as though I was finally at the tip of this notion called success.

It was when I began approaching life as a gift—a tasty treat just like a lobster—that I began to receive the blessing that life truly is. No longer did I approach anything in life with fear or hesitation, for I knew that I could achieve all things and that all things were promised to those who dared to chase their dreams.

Prior to this revelation, I, like many others, approached life in a limited manner. In that, I believed that I was only allowed a small amount of success and financial bliss. However, I have learned that there is a freedom that comes with trusting God, self, and this process known as life. It was not until I was at my lowest point in my life, facing domestic violence, bankruptcy, and career failure, that I was able to turn it all around by the grace of God.

How does someone come from poverty and arrive at the road leading to greatness? How did life go from sardines to an expensive lobster? Within the pages of this small book, you will find immense answers to the questions many seek in this life: What is my purpose on this earth? Will my life ever get better? Life is truly a lobster that is waiting to be dug into. Have you not waited long enough to truly live your full potential and purpose? It is time to begin marveling in the life you deserve, filled with dreams, focus, and purpose. Get ready to dig into a book filled with motivational pages, explosive ideas, and innovative passion. After reading this book, readers will truly be able to dig into their power and reach their full purpose.

Soon to Come

Every Thought Captive, a motivational book

Five Inches, a motivational book

Jazzy Jay Cook Book, food for the soul

One in a Million, a motivational book

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LIFE IS A LOBSTER

Life is truly a celebratory feast waiting to be devoured by humankind. The earth, with all of its pleasant surroundings, trees, nature, and animals, adds to this festive feast we call life. Further, all the things that make us who we are—love, experience, and human interaction—make life meaningful and delightful. I know what some of you are thinking as you read this first paragraph: how could life be so amazing with all the death, disappointments, and grief associated with it? Well, my dear human beings, I am sorry to disappoint you, but life is an amazing blessing given by God. Every experience, whether good or awful, is merely a way to teach us a lesson and draw us closer to God, thereby drawing us closer to our true selves and, ultimately, to this lobster we all seek.

Life is a lobster an expensive gift given by God from the day we are each conceived. This blessing is not from a religious standpoint, and it’s not formed from a matter of my personal opinion. Rather, it comes from the fact that life in itself is a blessing; those of us who look at it as such recognize this gift early on and, therefore, live life differently than most. To recognize that life is a gift, you have to appreciate all that is in it—the good and the ugly.

When someone gives you a gift, what is your reaction? Do you throw away the gift? Would you tell the person giving you a gift that you did not like or appreciate the gift? Would you simply ignore the gift? Lastly, would you acknowledge the gift from the receiver? God wants us to acknowledge Him in all ways, and He wants us to acknowledge the gift He has given us—this life! Yes, this life and all that is in it. Life is indeed a delicious tasting lobster waiting to be devoured by you. We can acknowledge this gift when we choose to live lives full of the purposes God has chosen for us.

The problem is that some wait on a gold fork when life has presented them with many silver forks to dig into their lobsters. Other problems arise when some folks put down their utensils once their lobsters have presented a challenge or a struggle. I will submit to you, my friends, do not give into the trick of the enemy. The devil is the biggest liar and deceiver! The enemy wishes to rob you of your joy and steal away your positive spirit. The urging you feel to give in when things get tough and corners are closing is nothing but the lie of the enemy. Instead of giving up or doubting God, this is the time that you should dig into your lobster.

Despite what you may have been told, God wants the absolute best for your future. He is not focused on your circumstances; this is why you must trust God. For if you have His love and trust him, you will know that He would not have placed you in this circumstance had He not planned to see you through. God is able to do what He said will come to pass for your life, and He’s always an on time God.

Circumstances are usually placed into our lives so that we may know we are strong enough to break through them. Are you prepared to break through your circumstance today? Are you ready to leave behind the pain of yesterday and walk into the tomorrow that God has decided you deserve? Will this be the year you decide to go into confirmation with God that you are wonderful? Will this become the year that you are in agreement with the purpose God has already written for you? I hope so, dear friends. This could, in fact, be the best year of your life rather than just another year to make it through.

Here is an idea: Why not begin the day digging into your purpose? If God decided to wake you up this morning, He obviously has more plans for your life. There is no accident, mistake, or coincidence that you woke up alive this morning. Become alive within the spirit and begin your day digging into the very purpose that God has for your life. You were created as a being for a specific reason and purpose. This is a secret that only God and your spirit knows but only if you listen and are tuned in. Perhaps it is time to tune out from the things that keep you from your purpose and the plan God has waiting for you. Oftentimes, someone or something is keeping us from bursting through the proverbial life bubble and stepping into our power.

How do you tune into life at all times? Each day make the decision that God kept you alive not to exist but to win. When you believe you are a winner, you walk, think, speak, and act like a winner. Have you ever seen an Olympic athlete win a gold medal carrying a defeated spirit? No, dear friends, they do not carry a defeated spirit at all. The athlete knew she would win; therefore, prior to the actual Olympic trial, she prepared to win. Are you prepared to win? The athlete knew that if God had brought her this far to the Olympics that He would see her through to the end.

Granted, God has not given us all the gift or ability to become Olympic gold medalists; however, he has given us all the spirits to become winners. Are you ready to win the life that is waiting for you? God has prepared the utensils for the lobster he has decided you deserve. In Jeremiah 29:11, God tells his people, I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and never hurt you (New International Version).

Are you prepared to tune out? In order to tune out, you must tune into your life. Below are some steps that I take daily in my personal life. I decided to share them