Power U: Seven Keys to Finding Purpose and Achieving Success

By S.M. Croucher

Power U: Seven Keys to Finding Purpose and Achieving Success uses anecdotes from ordinary peoples daily lives and their most memorable moments to introduce seven insights that can help people discover Gods plans and make decisions to help those plans succeed. S.M. Croucher groups the vignettes and reflections into categories called keys: purpose; planning, persistence, and progress; positive perception; people and peace; perseverance; power and possibility; and prosperity.

Many of the individual entries grouped under each of the keys offer inspirational quotes and scriptures that highlight the themes of the stories and their reflections. Because the entries present insights that can create openings for discovering ways to change ones life, the Introductions sound advice recommends taking time to read slowly and to let the entries do their work in guiding self-reflection.

Perhaps you have taken stock of your life and said, There must be more than this! What really is my purpose? If that is so, then Power U: Seven Keys to Finding Purpose and Achieving Success offers the opportunity and the means for you to take stock of your life, to explore the possible directions your lifes journey might take, and to say, This is my purpose! This is how I can succeed.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Oct 8, 2014
• ISBN: 9781491743744

S.M. Croucher

S.M. Croucher has weathered a personal history of both failures and successes. That experience and knowledge has been poured into this book. A native of Canada, the author calls the provinces of Newfoundland and Nova Scotia home.

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Copyright © 2014 S.M. Croucher.

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Scripture quotations marked (NASB) are taken from the New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation Used by permission.

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture marked (NKJV) are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Live Each Day to the Fullest by S.H. Payer reproduced by permission. American Greetings Corporation ©ACG, LLC.

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.

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

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ISBN: 978-1-4917-4375-1 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4917-4677-6 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4917-4374-4 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2014915450

iUniverse rev. date: 10/06/2014

Contents

Introduction

Purpose

Know Your Worth!— What Are the Chances?

You Are Unique and So Is Your Purpose

Unique You— A Saint’s View

You Have to Believe It’s Possible!

Seek Your Purpose and You Shall Find It

The Power of Intuition and Creativity—Saint Cecilia and the Popcorn River

Be the Best You That You Can Be

When Plans and Prayers Become a Disaster

Planning, Persistence, and Progress

The Power of Deciding

The Power of Setting Goals

The Power of Determination and Enthusiasm—Have Passion for Your Goals

The Power of Planning Your Day

Affirmations: The Power of Your Words

The Power of Visualizing

The Power of Action

Progress: Break it Down, Mix it Up

The Power of Persistence

Keep Going When You Feel Sluggish

The Power of Prioritizing—Don’t Waste Time

Martha, Martha: Priorities and Timing

The Power of Momentum Brings Progress

Positive Perception

You Are What You Think

Battle of the Mind

Being Happy Is a Choice

The Power of the Present: Savor the Moment of Now

Don’t Worry: Let Go of Your Fears

Perfect Timing

The Power of Gratitude: Start Your Day Right

Laughter vs. Anger

Exercise and Strengthen: Body, Mind, and Spirit

The Power of Relaxation

Relax but Don’t Get Lazy

Determination: Go After Your Dreams with All Your Might (Even When You Feel Down)

The Power of Confidence

The Power of Breaking the Rules

People

and Peace

Pride vs. Humility

Ego? Let It Go…For the Most Part

Don’t Judge or You’ll Be Sorry

The Power of Knowing When to Speak Up (And When to Shut Up)

The Power of Minding Your Own Business

Dealing with Anger

Pursue Peace, Let Go of the Past

Forgive for Your Own Sake

Choose Good Company

The Power of Unity

To Give and to Serve: What Goes Around, Comes Around

Care Bare: Love with Nothing Holding You Back

Perseverance

Overcoming Obstacles

Being Happy During Storms (Or at Least During Fog and Rain)

Pain and Healing: What About the Big Storms?

Healing Past Hurts

Dealing with Rejection: Be Merciful and Forgive (For Your Own Sake)

Guilt and Regret: Forgive Yourself and Learn from Your Mistakes

Failure: The Path of Least Persistence

Desperation to Destiny

Breaking Bad Habits

Change Takes Time, Have Patience

Push Past the Fear and Take a Risk

Take Care of Yourself

What About When Plans Don’t Work Out?

Power and Mike vs. Power and Might

Power and Possibility

The Importance of Faith

God’s Will Will Get You Your Heart’s Desires

The Power of Prayer and Belief

The Power of Wisdom

The Religion vs. Faith Debate

Live and Let Live

Let’s Just Accept Our Differences (Because We’re Not So Different after All)

My Christian Views

What’s in a Name?

Miraculous Signs? Coincidence? Or Just Uncommon and Unlikely Occurrences?

The Love of Money is What?

Have Confidence in the Power That Created You

Live Each Day to the Fullest

Prosperity

Prosperity

A Success Story From a VIP (Very Important Person)

Introduction Turned Conclusion

In Conclusion

Bibliography

This book is

dedicated in memory of my grandmother because of her inspiring faith during the difficult times.

Thank you to Dad, Mom, Kevin and Brian for always being there during my difficult times.

Introduction

T his book was created because I was at a place in my life where I felt stuck. Stuck somewhere between success and failure; and stuck somewhere between rebellion and religion. I always thought that my life meant something, but the results didn’t always prove it. I also thought that if I was feeling this way then you may be feeling this way too. What is it all about? Is there a greater purpose for my life? If so, why does it feel so difficult to discover?

Throughout Power U you will discover ways to live with purpose instead of feeling like you merely exist. I believe that you will feel as if specific passages of this book were written specifically for you; and it is my hope that those passages will help you to improve your life.

I understand (and hope) that all walks of life will be reading this book, so I also understand that there will be many different opinions about some of the wording. Your way is your way and you know deep down what is best for you. If there is a term or explanation you disagree with, please replace it with a term or explanation that you are more comfortable with.

Since this book has the potential to change your life, take your time reading it and absorbing it. I encourage you to read small passages at a time, and no more than one key per day. Change takes time, so have patience and enjoy the process!

Finding purpose and achieving success is a journey. Don’t rush it, but don’t delay it either. Now turn the pages to begin uncovering the power in you!

PURPOSE

Awaken the love within you and you awaken infinite power and possibility…and purpose.

I once had a life changing moment when I saw a sad scene on television of a homeless woman who seemed to be in her sixties. The look on her face was of self-pity and anger with the world. I know it wasn’t funny, but I laughed out loud when I saw her. I laughed because she was sitting exactly as I was sitting, her arms were folded exactly like mine, and I’m sure the look on my face was the same as the look on her face. I saw, clearly, myself in her. Whoa, that was a wakeup call! I felt it translated in my spirit as, Sheila, if you continue to sit there with self-pity, doing nothing other than being angry with the world, this is how you will end up!

The same is true for you. Even if you believe that you have plenty of reason to feel self-pity or anger—don’t! Those who allow self-pity and anger into their daily lives are only robbing their own calling.

You must peacefully, yet powerfully, pursue your purpose.

Live from your heart and your purpose will show itself to you.

Know Your Worth!—

What Are the Chances?

W hat is my purpose in life? Why am I here? We’ve all asked that question at some time or another. It’s a biggie, and not very easy to answer. So, how about we start with the crazy law of averages that would state that your mere existence is so improbable that you must be worth something!

I want you to stop and absorb for a moment the chances of just being born.

Disgusting (yet amazing) as it may sound, think about the millions, billions, or even gazillions of sperm to egg combinations from the creation of you, all the way back through history with each of your parents, grandparents, to the greatest of great-grandparents. Also, think of the unique, exact combination (out of massive, possible combinations) of people meeting and procreating that it took to create you. For example, if we consider a generation to be twenty-five years, then approximately eight generations before you (200 years before your birth), you have 256 great, great, great, great, great, great grand-parents (that’s with six greats). At just a generation before that, it doubles to 512 great (x7) grandparents; a generation before that it doubles again to 1,024 great (x8) grandparents, and so on. And the amount doubles with every generation that you go back, i.e., every grandparent had two parents.

So can you see that if someone had zigged instead of zagged throughout the history of your family line, you wouldn’t be here!?

Maybe you’re just lucky? Maybe, but I doubt it. If you believe it was just luck or simply by chance, you should go buy yourself a lottery ticket! The chances of winning the lottery have nothing on you! You are so unlikely that maybe I should call you special!

So seeing that you are this rare, unlikely, special creation, and to have even been born is like winning the lottery, or being struck by lightning millions of times over (depending on which way you want to look at it); can you see that there might just be a purpose for your life?

Most of us have questioned whether or not we’re an insignificant nobody. Here’s what I think: nobody is a nobody!

You may not know what it is yet, but there is a calling for your life to help others in your own unique way. You’re here for more than just you. You are destined for greatness.

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

~Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)

As a young man, my maternal grandfather narrowly survived World War II. When he came home, he worked in a coal mine where he narrowly survived a mine collapse.

His leg had been crushed by tons of coal; and while he was in the hospital recovering, a beautiful young lady, who was preparing to become a catholic nun, would come to pray with him. She would frequently visit the hospital to pray with the patients. It was during these visits that the strapping young lad (my grandfather) and the beautiful young nun-in-training (my grandmother), began to fall in love.

So if their paths had not crossed by means of a mining accident and a dream to serve as a nun, I would never have been. How wonderful a broken leg and a broken dream turned out to be for me!

Now, how many stories like that one have there been with your predecessors, that combined, have miraculously created you?

You Are Unique and So Is

Your Purpose

Today you are you! That is truer than true! There is no one alive who is you-er than you!

~Dr. Seuss

However, as it is written: What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived—the things God has prepared for those who love him—

~1 Corinthians 2:9 (NIV)

T here has never been anyone quite like you before. You are one of a kind, and your reason for being here is unique. Your purpose is also unique. It’s like a treasure waiting to be found, and only you can find it. However, it’s not a matter of frantically searching, like so many people unfortunately do to try to find it. It is indeed unfortunate when done this way, because no fortune is ever found.

It is when you live from your heart that your purpose shows itself to you; but be patient, it usually takes many steps and requires great patience to find.

When your purpose is shown to you and you accept it, it is truly a gift.

"A man’s gift makes room for him,

and brings him before great men."

~Proverbs 18:16 (NASB)

Ladies, I’m sure this was meant for us too! So fellas, as not to discriminate, I’ll mention what Albert Einstein once said; The woman who follows the crowd will usually go no further than the crowd. The woman who walks alone is likely to find herself in places no one has ever seen before. Why settle for following the crowd? Life is too short for that.

A wise man makes his own decisions, an ignorant man follows public opinion.

~Chinese Proverb

In this busy, hectic life, we often find ourselves rushing around to complete the tasks that we think someone else thinks are important. It’s time to change that. Life is not a race against society, competing to achieve more than others, it is about running your own race and doing your personal best. When you run your own race you will always come in first place. You will become untouchable! It’s time to put yourself and your purpose first!

We often hear, She is so gifted or He is so talented. You may be one of those people who has such a vibrant and brilliant talent that your calling is loud and clear to yourself and to those around you. If that’s you, your talent may likely be at the center of your purpose, or it may be what will lead you to your purpose. Who knows? But what an exciting journey it will be to find out!

Or maybe you’re one of those left out suckers (like myself), who God must have forgotten to give a talent to. You feel like you have no apparent talent? You’re not good at much? Do you know there are great people throughout history who felt like that? Albert Einstein was one of them. He said, I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious! He also said, Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid. Imagine that! Albert Einstein was right about so many scientific things and complicated equations, so maybe he was right that you too are a genius!

Start by asking yourself, What am I half decent at?, and go from there. Try new things. You’ll never know what talents and gifts may be hidden inside you if you don’t step out and try. Give yourself credit; you must be good at something! You are wondrously wonderful, perfectly perfect you.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

~Psalm 139:14 (NIV)

I love the Dr. Seuss book, Oh the Places You’ll Go! I would encourage anyone of any age to read it; it’s very encouraging! My favorite line is, Will you succeed? Yes, you will indeed. (98¾% guaranteed.)

Nothing in life is 100% guaranteed (other than death and taxes, as they say); so maybe you’ll succeed—maybe you won’t. But I believe that if you honor your uniqueness, and choose to go your own way instead of following the crowd, your chances of success are great.

Take a risk and stand out; don’t just blend in.

The imitator dooms himself to hopeless mediocrity.

~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Unique You— A Saint’s View

It is better to perform one’s own duties imperfectly than to master the duties of another. By fulfilling the obligations he is born with, a person never comes to grief.

~Krishna

A s a devout catholic, my maternal grandmother had crosses and pictures of Jesus, Mary, and her favorite saint, Saint Therese, all over her house. As I’ve grown up, Saint Therese has become my favorite saint as well. She was a simple, yet beautiful nun, who lived in France and died in 1897 at the age of twenty-four. She believed we are each designed with purpose and beauty, like little flowers.

As in her translated words, found in Story of a Soul: The Autobiography of St. Therese of Lisieux, "Jesus deigned to teach me this mystery: He set before me the book of nature; I understood how all the flowers He has created are beautiful. How the splendor of the rose and the whiteness of the lily do not take away the perfume of the little violet or the delightful simplicity of the daisy.

"I understood that if all flowers wanted to be roses, nature would lose her springtime beauty, and the fields would no longer be decked out with little wild flowers.

"So it is in the world of Souls, Jesus’ garden. He willed to create great souls comparable to lilies and roses, but He has also created smaller ones and these must be content to be daisies or violets destined to give joy to God’s glances when He looks down at His feet. Perfection consists in doing His will, in being what He wills us to be.

"I understood, too, that our Lord’s love is revealed as perfectly in the most simple soul…as in the most excellent soul…The nature of love is to humble one’s self…

"Just as the sun shines simultaneously on the tall cedars and on each little flower as though it were alone on the earth, so Our Lord is occupied particularly with each soul as though there were no others like it.

Just as in nature, all the seasons are arranged in such ways as to make the humblest daisy bloom on a set day, in the same way, everything works out for the good of each soul.

If it matches your belief or if you so choose to read it; here is the Novena Rose Prayer:

Novena Rose Prayer

O Little Therese of the Child Jesus,

please pick for me a rose

from the heavenly gardens

and send it to me as a message of love.

O Little