Life's Little Instruction Book: Living Your Best Life

By Michael Byrd

"Jeremiah 18:6 "O people, can I not do with you as this potter does?" says the LORD. "Look carefully, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are you in My hand, O house of Israel."

There has always been something about clay, the Potter's Wheel, and what that represents. For as long as I can remember, I always felt like I was made for something. Something special, something unique, and something only I could do. I remember having words of prophecy spoken over me from the time I was first in church and throughout my life. Things came true, dreams realized, goals attained, success was mine, and then……….it would be gone, I was once again now that lump of clay. Again I would be shaped and molded and then again………..smashed down and turned into a willing lump of clay. How many times? Just enough times to get my attention, and a little more.
The turmoil and anger were buried deep within me at a very early age and the result was a life of extreme highs and lows. This trauma would burst to the surface periodically and without warning throughout my entire life. It destroyed every attempt I made to stay on a steady course to achieve a normal and successful life. Every time success was met, or goals achieved, I would self-destruct, completely.

At my therapist's suggestion, I stopped all social media and checked out of the world to find myself. I spent 40 days alone up in the mountains on his ranch with only his dog Magnum at his side. During this time I re-connected with God and reviewed my life up to that point. It was during these 40 days that birthed this book and the lessons I had gleaned in life. These 31 intentions/meditations/instructions I would now live by to become the best version of himself and share these with others in hopes to encourage others who are suffering and help wherever I can
The little more is the inspiration for "Life's Little Instruction Book" how I was to be molded into the man I am now, the one I am supposed to be. The one who wants to share with you what I learned through my life's trials, to inspire you, to help you, and to lift you up. To help you realize your POTENTIAL, discover your PASSION, and live your PURPOSE!

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Feb 19, 2022
• ISBN: 9781098376208

Book preview

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Copyright © 2021 Michael Byrd

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

ISBN (Print): 978-1-09837-619-2

ISBN (eBook): 978-1-09837-620-8

HERO

Who is my HERO,

My hero is me,

Not the person that I was,

But the person that I will be,

I will fail, and greatly I will fail,

No one will fail more or more greatly than me,

It is my failures that move me,

It is my failures that shape me,

It is my failures that change me into that which I will be,

Who is my hero?

That man is me.

MB

This book is meant to be read on a daily basis for 31 days, in order, throughout the year, and to be practiced throughout the day. Use this as a guide to navigate through your life’s experiences. Anytime you may have a question on how to approach something that may be challenging to you, you will find these 31 intentions are easy to apply and easy to understand. The daily practice of reviewing and applying these 31 intentions into your life will help you realize your potential, discover your passion and live out your purpose.

Contents

Special Acknowledgements

Foreword by Robyn M Byrd

How This Came to Be . . .

Day ONE Every day, live there, stay in the moment.

Day TWO Never look back, only your past lives there.

Day THREE Make new friends but be selective.

Day FOUR Do not get upset with anyone, instead try to learn more about them.

Day FIVE Never raise your voice, unless there is a fire.

Day SIX Do not be reactive.

Day SEVEN Evaluate everything.

Day EIGHT Smile and say hi to everyone every day.

Day NINE Be consistent.

Day TEN Do something every day for someone else.

Day ELEVEN Tell others what you admire about them.

Day TWELVE Find a cause.

Day THIRTEEN Enjoy each moment.

Day FOURTEEN Stop before excess.

Day FIFTEEN Be content with nothing, be happy without anyone.

Day SIXTEEN Be grateful every day, for everything.

Day SEVENTEEN Be your best, every day.

Day EIGHTEEN Say you are sorry, especially when you really do not want to.

Day NINETEEN Love yourself.

Day TWENTY Every day ask yourself ‘Who am I?’

Day TWENTY-ONE Always be positive.

Day TWENTY-TWO Be mindful(ness).

Day TWENTY-THREE Be Aware(ness).

Day TWENTY-FOUR Do not judge anyone or anything.

Day TWENTY-FIVE Do not criticize.

Day TWENTY-SIX Be KIND (ness).

Day TWENTY-SEVEN Always behave correctly.

Day TWENTY-EIGHT Always be a person of peace.

Day TWENTY-NINE Remove everyone and everything that does not elevate you.

Day THIRTY What others say does not matter.

Day THIRTY-ONE If it is not going to matter on your death bed then it does not really matter.

Influencers/Resources and Credits

Special Acknowledgements

I want to thank Dr Daryl Moore for taking the time to help me understand me, to forgive myself, to forget about the past, how to handle the present and to take responsibility for my actions. I am eternally grateful for his guidance and hope to pass on what I have learned from him through this book.

I am also grateful for Victoria Bollea-Etheridge. God put her in my life when I was ready to hear her message. She gave me both inspiration and hope through her life experiences. Thank you for helping me in my journey.

Most importantly, I want to thank my wife, Robyn Byrd, for her never-ending love, patience and kindness towards me, who always lifted me up and reminded me of the man God made me to be. There are no words that can describe what it means to me to have you in my life. Together, we finally got it right this time, I love you forever 444. Michael.

Foreword

A Wife’s perspective.

The following is from my perspective, Michael’s former wife. I am thankful to God, the gift of knowing, and of unconditional love and faith.

Let it be said, that just as the goodness in life molds and shapes us, so too does the unflattering, harmful and unpleasant experiences of life. Profound effects of the negative, also formulate positive parts of our core being. Be thankful for both the good and the bad, as it is all of the intricate parts of our human journey that brings us into the entirety of who we are.

How can shocking and unresolved childhood abuse help mold a man into a functional, admirable and even an exceptional human? It seems impossible. Charm, wit, a broad spectrum of intelligence, a Spartan royal build, dark hair, a deep voice and piercing green eyes, was nothing more than a glorious shield that hid both explosive behavior and internal pain. This embedded pain derived from his scarred childhood breathed life into fierce demons that plagued Mike’s entire life. On the outside looking in, he seemed to have it all, however, that was merely an illusion. Sadly, the complete destruction of his material world encompassed him as he hit rock bottom. That, along with multiple near-death experiences created a platform in which the desire to change at last emerged.

Throughout Mike’s life, internal issues had constantly surfaced and sabotaged every effort and milestone gained in his attempt to live a normal existence. Adult struggles such as failed marriages, lost homes, lost jobs, businesses, friendships and nights of dark, deep dives into alcohol and drugs, and all that entails, were the excerpts from the chapters of his unfortunate life’s story that became the inspiration to write, Life’s Little Instruction Book.

In this compilation Mike shares what he has learned through his life’s experiences and the consequences, both good and bad, after becoming completely defeated as a man. What he has transcribed herein is his 31 truths, intentions and beliefs on how to change and overcome any of life’s struggles and obstacles no matter how great they may be.

Alone, with no friends, destitute, and spiritually empty, Mike had days upon days of unforgiving time. He had no choice but to utilize this lonely void of seemingly unending hours, to search deep into his inner self, to regain his faith, and to reflect upon his life and how he had arrived at that place.

Now in recovery and making amazing strides, it is Michael’s hope and belief that this book will inspire and help people with similar stories. Use these 31 days of tools to help you develop your human potential, passion and purpose and live your best life ever.

RECOVERY~ FAITH~LOVE

How This Came to Be . . .

In October of 2018, I decided to take some advice and completely stopped all social media. Without going into great details about why, I want to focus on the what. The what for me began a journey of deep discovery and creativity that allowed me to spend more time in solitude, with myself.

Single, sober, and alone, except for my dog, Magnum, I spent the next forty days in solitude on my ranch. I worked on my home, and I worked on myself. I spent Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve with Magnum. No one came, called, or asked about me, save for three, they know who they are. I did not reach out to anyone.

At first it felt as if I did not exist. What I did, ate, and enjoyed became uniquely my own; it was like going back, way back in time and living in a vacuum. It was maddening in the beginning, I was scared, lonely, going a little crazy, and then something happened. I began to enjoy the smile on Magnum’s face. I enjoyed the smell of the rain on the ground, the moonless nights with no clouds. They were as clear as anything I had ever seen before. The Milky Way, stars, shooting stars,