Puri-Fire: Using the Storms of Life to Ignite Your Life’s Purpose

By Dr. John Mason

WHEN TROUBLES AND FAILURE COME, HOW WILL YOU HOLD UP?

Make no mistake, in your life you will face disappointment, difficulty, failure, heartache and trouble— more than once. We all do. Why is it that the fires of life seem to refine some people and consume others? The answer has much to do with how well you have developed certain key traits vital to living a successful life. This book will help you do just that. Inside, you will discover how to identify, strengthen and activate 12 essential character trails that can make the difference between surviving and thriving, from living average or awesome. These key traits are not new, in fact much of what you will experience in this book was adapted from an out-of-print book written several decades ago by Harry Emerson Fosdick. But the timeless truths initially penned in the early 20th century and now brought to life in this book will be groundbreaking for you. Are you ready to embrace a better version of you? This book will help you with:

• Unleashing the mindset you need to move forward

• Discovering your untapped potential

• Developing resilience—the X-factor that all leaders need to succeed

THIS BOOK IS FOR THE PERSON WHO SIMPLY WANTS TO GROW AND GET BETTER!

• Language: English
• Publisher: HigherLife Publishing
• Release date: Mar 30, 2018
• ISBN: 9780998977386

Book preview

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TEST 1

PUTTING FIRST THINGS FIRST: THE ENEMY OF FOCUS IS MULTITASKING

Sorry I couldn’t get to the phone. I was on a video conference while watching Timmy’s Little League game, and catching up with my neighbor! Sound familiar? Our current society knows little of singleness of mind. If it were possible we would handle as many things on our to-do list as possible at the very same time! While this sounds like a great idea, the reality is that the more balls we put into play, the more poorly we execute all the tasks. So what if Johnny can’t read? Does it really matter that a car only lasts three years? I really look forward to repeating myself since you were not paying attention! Really? Most folks I know are fed up with being part of a to-do list. Our preoccupation with stuff is deeply rooted in the first area that will be tested in your life: Do you make time for the things that will permanently and indelibly change your life, or is change a casualty of the raging war over what preoccupies you right now?

Establishing What Matters

We are often a confused and preoccupied people. We say we know what is most important to us, but our values have become more and more situationally based: Under this set of circumstances this is important, but under a different set that is important. No wonder our current society has been called wishy-washy and directionless by those older than we are. The children of the twenty-first century, Millennials and Generation Z, often struggle with constructing solid and unchanging pillars in their lives. They were not birthed into a world where absolutes were cherished as most important. The importance of concepts such as God, love, patience, authority, family, community, a work ethic, education, universal acceptance, stability, and basic values themselves have become subject to debate. They are considered vital or not, depending on the audience. Overall, these concepts have lost their luster for the younger generations. I don’t think we started out planning to diminish their importance. We just allowed other things to get in their way. Our preoccupation was seen, unfortunately, as a statement of priority. We did the things that we deemed important, and ignored those things that were not. So what if we didn’t go to church this week? So what if we didn’t feel like having company at our house this year? The less fortunate aren’t my responsibility, are they? I have my life goals accomplished; it is up to you to take care of yours, right? Why do you think that I owe anything to them just because I live here? The twenty-first century has manifest a clear picture of a world that is increasingly filled with the importance of materialism (for me), selfishness (me), isolationism (just me), elitism (because of me), being entitled (you owe me), and disrespecting authority (you talking to me?). There’s also open condemnation of difference/open condemnation of those who do not accept difference, and other changes: The church is seen as obsolete; the family as a structure is no longer desirable; marriage is now a temporary union based on changing criteria; and there is no longer a solid blueprint for success. Under these conditions, putting first things first becomes a huge undertaking. It is not, however, impossible. The first step is your desire to want to establish priorities. This may not happen until your world is spiraling so out of control that you must make a change. This may not happen until you have hit the bottom of that spiral. Or you may just be sick and tired of being sick and tired. Take a deep breath, and get ready for some good news!

Assessing Where You Are

Now that you have decided to do something different, please take a few minutes and determine where you are. No, not the rose-colored glasses version, but the real, nasty, unfiltered, un-Photoshopped version. The I cannot provide for my family version. The I have not had a job since I cut grass as a twelve-year-old version. The I cannot even dream of owning a house version. The I am tired of crying myself to sleep version. If you are not honest with yourself, you cannot make an honest assessment. The brutal part of putting first things first is determining what should be first, and what imposter is currently in its place. This step may take the longest, but it is well worth the time. Ask yourself five core