Week #15: Put It into Perspective
April 8, 2007
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In the News
UPCOMING ENGAGEMENTS
For details and registration information for these upcoming events and others, click on "Schedule" at www.valorieburton.com . Springfield, Missouri
Saturday, April 14th
Authentic Conference at High Street Baptist Church
Washington, DC area
Sunday, April 22, 2 - 4 pm
Potomac Adventist Bookstore - Silver Spring, MD
Chat, Q&A and Booksigning
Kansas City, Missouri
Tuesday, April 24th
The Central Exchange Women's Lyceum
Overland Park Convention Center Lufkin, Texas
Wednesday, April 25th
American Heart Association Luncheon
Pitser Garrison Civic Center Signed copies of Why Not You? available online
Signed
copies of my new book, Why Not You? ($13.99) are now available in our
online store. We also have specials to save you up to 30% off when you
by multiple copies. Buy five books for $55 or ten books for $99! Read
the book with a book club or group, or give multiple copies as gifts.
Visit our online store at www.valorieburton.com/books.html .
This Week's Topic: Put It into Perspective?
Dear Friend, After writing to you last week
with excitement about the fact that spring is here and summer is on the
way, I awoke yesterday to snowflakes and freezing temperatures. It was
nearly 80 degrees a few days ago, and now the lows are in the 20s. How
could it be?! I believe everyday life offers us all kinds of
messages and the irony of snow in springtime offers us this one: Keep
things in perspective. There are times when your vision for the future
seems so clear, then something happens that causes you to doubt. Like
snowfall in spring, sometimes unexpected setbacks can frustrate and
distract you. The key is to maintain your focus and keep life in
perspective. What surprises, setbacks or distractions are
threatening to steal your focus right now or cause you to be
discouraged? Perhaps it is in a relationship, your finances, health or
professional life. It can be easy to lose hope when events throw you
off course. Here are five ways you can put your life into perspective.
When you are discouraged or overwhelmed, consider these five ways to
put life into perspective. Remind yourself of your life’s bigger
picture: 1. Embody a winning attitude.
Refuse to
allow the setbacks and frustrations of life to convince you that
victory is not imminent. It is – if you don’t let bumps in the road
stall you indefinitely. We don’t always get what we want when we want
it. Accept that and persevere. 2. Be thankful.
Whether
a significant setback or a small one, choose to acknowledge the
opportunity to learn what you can do differently and make a fresh start
– beginning today. When you feel discouraged or frustrated, sit down
and write out ten blessings you are grateful for despite any negative
circumstances. 3. Ask, “What opportunity is being presented to me and what will I do to take advantage of it?”
Some
situations look like a dead end until you look around and notice that
they are actually turning points on your path. A relationship that has
you feeling stuck can present an opportunity for a conversation or a
long-needed change that it is time for you to make. A financial
challenge may cause you to face the fact that it is time to make some
adjustments in your spending habits or commit to saving more. Choose to
glean a lesson from a setback and you’ll recognize that your setback
may set you up for the next level of success in your life. 4. Talk to someone who has a different perspective.
Sometimes,
we get stuck in a rut because we listen to people whose perspective is
no different than our own. Having a chat with someone who will see your
challenge from a different perspective can be valuable. 5. Go with the flow.
Ultimately,
putting things into perspective empowers you to recognize that life is
full of ups and downs. Refuse to let setbacks fluster and confuse you.
Pray for strength and wisdom, and keep moving forward. Remember, your
dream is still on the way. The path may just look different than you
originally imagined. Keep things in perspective! Our unexpected
snowfall was unwanted. But it doesn’t change the fact that spring is
here, and that means summer is still on the way. Your unexpected
setback is unwanted. But it doesn’t change the fact that an opportunity
for change is here, and the divinely-appointed vision for your life is
still on the way. My challenge you to you this week:
Put your life into perspective. Whatever disappointment or setback you face, remember, this too, shall pass. Journaling assignment:
What
surprises, setbacks or distractions are threatening to steal your focus
right now or cause you to be discouraged? Beginning today, how will you
choose to put this situation into perspective?
Until next time ... Warm wishes,
 P.S. Encourage your friends and family by sharing this newsletter and invite others to subscribe! Just send them to
www.valorieburton.com, where they can enter their email address on the home page. Valorie
Burton, a life coach and speaker, is the author of Listen to Your Life,
Rich Minds, Rich Rewards and her latest, What's Really Holding You
Back?. She coaches groups and individuals to live their best lives.
Learn about her coaching groups and subscribe to her FREE,
inspirational e-newsletter at www.valorieburton.com.
Why Not You? Available in our Online Store
Signed copies of Why Not You? available online
Signed
copies of my new book, Why Not You? ($13.99) are now available in our
online store. We also have specials to save you up to 30% off when you
by multiple copies. Buy five books for $55 or ten books for $99! Read
the book with a book club or group, or give multiple copies as gifts.
Visit our online store at www.valorieburton.com/books.html .
Please feel free to forward the Rich Minds, Rich Rewards E-Newsletter
to friends and colleagues, but please forward in its entirety. The Rich
Minds, Rich Rewards E-Newsletter is written and distributed by Inspire,
Inc. Copyright (c) 2007 Valorie Burton. All rights reserved. www.valorieburton.com.
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