*To be sure this e-newsletter arrives in your inbox each week, add richminds@valorieburton.com to your address book or approved list of senders.*
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~*~*~*

THIS WEEK'S TOPIC:
What lesson is your life offering you right now?

*Welcome to our 261 new subscribers since April 24th! If the newsletter is inspiring to you this week, please pass it along to friends and family who could use some inspiration.

To invite others to subscribe, email them the newsletter or send them to http://www.valorieburton.com where they can enter their email address on the home page.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

THE 2005 BREAKTHROUGH WEEKEND RETREAT!
Join me July 8 - 10, 2005 in Washington, DC for an extraordinary weekend and take your life to the next level! Space is limited.
Early bird registration has ended, but you can still receive an "advanced" registration rate during the month of May and save $50.

Go to http://www.valorieburton.com/weekend.html.

IN THE NEWS:

* Detroit, MI - This Tuesday, May 3rd at Triumph Church
Speaking engagement and booksigning
2550 S. Liddesdale, Detroit, MI
More info: (313) 386-8044

* Athens, OH - Ohio University this Saturday, May 7th at 9:00 a.m.
Mind, Body & Soul Conference
Registration info: (740) 593-4026

* Nashville, TN - May 18 - 20th
Are you a woman in ministry? - Check out the National Women's Ministry Association event for which I am emcee, life coaching seminar leader and closing keynote speaker May 18 - 20 in Nashville, Tennessee. Visit www.nwma.net.

* SCHEDULE A SPEAKING ENGAGEMENT
If you lead a ministry or organization and want to schedule a date, fill out your request at http://www.valorieburton.com/request.html or contact Angie Steele at angie@valorieburton.com .

*WPGC-AM HEAVEN 1580 - I am now the "resident" life coach for Washington, DC's Heaven 1580 radio station. You can hear me on Mondays at 3:05 p.m.

Check out my Life Enrichment Challenge - weekly inspiration on Tom Joyner's Black America Web: http://www.blackamericaweb.com/site.aspx/Praise/challenge/newLEC

For more schedule information, visit http://www.valorieburton.com/vevents.html .
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
THIS WEEK'S TOPIC: What lesson is your life offering you right now?

Dear Friend,

Last week, I shared the lessons I learned during a hiking trip to beautiful Sedona, Arizona. I'd like to challenge you to consider the lessons your life is offering you right now. I say, "offering" because God offers lessons, but it is up to us to learn from them. If we don't learn, the same lessons are offered again and again. Through both frustrations and exciting times, there is something for you to learn that will prepare you for greater opportunities on your horizon.

This week, I'd like to share five of the greatest lessons I have learned on my journey thus far. Perhaps you've learned these along your journey as well. Sometimes, in the hectic pace of life, we need a reminder and that is what I am here to offer you today:

1. NOTHING IS PERMANENT.
I first learned this lesson at six years old, which was the first time my family moved. We left my birthplace of Florida and moved to Germany. I moved eight more times by the age of 21 -- to cities in Colorado, South Carolina, California, back to Florida, and later to Texas. Growing up in an Air Force family, I quickly learned to adapt to new circumstances, new people, and sometimes even a new country. Nothing in life is permanent - a fact that should encourage us to revel in the joy your life brings and minimize your frustration when you encounter circumstances you don't like. There is something in your life right now that is not permanent. If it is something you love, in what ways could you embrace and enjoy it more? If it's something you dread, just hold on a little longer. This too shall pass.

2. YOU ARE EITHER LIVING ON PURPOSE OR LIVING BY ACCIDENT.
Too many people wander through life haphazardly - latching on to people, jobs and things just because they crossed their path. Then they wake up one day wondering, "How on earth did I get here?" I call it "living by accident." In order to create a fulfilling life, you have to be purposeful in your decisions. Don't make your decisions without reflecting on how your decision will impact you long-term. Pursue the things that empower you to express your values and talents. Choose to be around people you feel good being around - inspiring, supportive people who are moving in the same direction as you. Know your purpose and live it in every day in your work, relationships, health, finances and spiritual life. In what way do you need to begin living more on purpose?

3. FEAR DOES NOT NECESSARILY MEAN "STOP."
Fear is as powerful as you allow it to be. Most of us feel fear and interpret that feeling as a warning to stop moving forward. In truth, we should interpret most fear as a natural emotion that pops up every time we venture to do something outside of our comfort zone. When you feel fear, keep moving. It'll stretch you beyond your comfort zone and closer to your goals. What are you afraid of right now that is keeping you from your best life? Will you make a decision to move forward despite your fear?

4. LESS IS MORE.
More than ever, our culture is fixated on proving your worth through your money and material possessions. Whole television shows are dedicated to showing you all the stuff other people have. After a while, it can be pretty challenging not to compare your "stuff" to everyone else's. But true self-empowerment comes from knowing that nothing material will ever prove your worth. Your worth comes from who you are - a child of God - and the impact you make in the lives of others. Don't worry about impressing everyone else. Instead, focus on impressing God by living the purpose for which He created you: Serving and blessing others in a way that only you can.

5. THE POWER TO CHANGE YOUR LIFE IS IN THE CHOICE YOU MAKE.
This is perhaps the most powerful of lessons. Better choices create better circumstances. It's not what happens to you that most impacts your life. It is how you respond. Your choices create your future. What kind of future are you creating with the choices you are making today? You can choose to enjoy your life or to be miserable. You can choose to be flexible or keep hitting a brick wall at work or in a relationship. You can choose to pursue your dreams or keep making excuses for why you can't achieve them. The choice is yours. What new choice do you need to make in your life?

My challenge to you this week:
From the list of five lessons above, choose the one that you most need to apply to your life right now. Make a decision to take an action in the next 48 hours that will enrich your life in a meaningful way.

Journaling assignment:
What is the most important lesson your life is offering you right now? How will you apply this lesson in your future?

Until next time ...

Warm wishes,

Valorie

* Remember to register this week for the Breakthrough Weekend, July 8 - 10, 2005, at the Hilton Old Towne Alexandria. Register by May 31st and registration is just $245. I'm looking forward to meeting you there!

* CURRENT Special * - Signed copies of "What's Really Holding You Back?" Order multiple copies to study in groups and save! Visit our secure online store at http://www.valorieburton.com/store.html .

Signed copies will be shipped Priority Mail within 24 hours. You may find that working through the book with friends or loved ones provides you with valuable support on your journey!
P.S. Encourage your friends and family by sharing this newsletter and invite others to subscribe! Just send them to http://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 has appeared in and on CNN, Essence Magazine, Black Enterprise, The 700 Club, The Los Angeles Times, and hundreds of other media outlets nationwide. Subscribe to her FREE, inspirational e-newsletter at www.valorieburton.com.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
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) 2005 Valorie Burton. All rights reserved. http://www.ValorieBurton.com .
Send mail to:
Valorie Burton
INSPIRE, INC.
938 E. Swan Creek Road #202
Fort Washington, MD 20744