The Joy of Living - 7 Steps to Give up Worry, Open Your Heart, and Love Your Life!
By Jim Koehneke
()
About this ebook
The Joy of Living ― 7 Steps To Give up Worry, Open Your Heart, and Love Your Life reminds us that we need not wait around to see what circumstances might come our way or what the world has in store for us. We are co-creators with Universal energy forces and poised to use our gifts and talents in magnificent ways. Outer conditions appear as the result of our focus, feelings, and beliefs that inspire us to action.
Seven chapter steps take you through a process to re-claim and more fully express your Personal Power, identify your Soul Purpose, and re-frame your thinking by Shifting Paradigms and Pivoting away from limiting beliefs. Once you identify your heartfelt intentions you’ll head toward fully manifesting your dreams. And as you mindfully stay in the present moment, connected to loving non-physical energies, you’ll find yourself thoroughly smack dab in the middle of the game of life and loving each adventurous moment!
Jim Koehneke
Jim Koehneke, MA Teacher, Author, Coach As the Founder of Love Your Work Today, a Personal Development and Life Enhancement Coaching business, Jim supports individuals in discovering and expressing purpose, clarity, and power. Prior to starting his own coaching and consulting business he served in key Human Resource Management positions in Education and Manufacturing before becoming a Senior Coach and Vice President of Client Services Consulting for an international career transition consulting firm. Jim has taught Professional Development courses at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Montgomery College in Rockville, MD, and served as an adjunct Instructor in a Master’s Degree program teaching Life Coaching classes at Burlington College in Vermont. After earning his Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, PA, Jim served as a Pilot in the United States Navy. He then went on to earn his Master of Arts Degree in Applied Behavioral Science from Whitworth College in Spokane, WA. Jim now lives in Vermont, where he enjoys hiking, photography, classical music, and time spent with family.
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The Joy of Living - 7 Steps to Give up Worry, Open Your Heart, and Love Your Life! - Jim Koehneke
Is This Book for You?
Do you feel stuck in your life or career? Do you feel powerless to change your circumstances? This book introduces you to a simple seven-step process that empowers you to claim the driver’s seat and navigate your route to fulfillment.
This adventure requires you to be present and brave, and to live adventurously going forward from the present moment. Shed your worries and fears and reclaim your truest self. As you reconnect with your heart and soul, you will uncover your personal power and step into and express your unique strengths.
Why wait to see if something good might come your way when you can joyfully pursue your true purpose today? As you open your heart and mind to new possibilities, you’ll soon discover a new aliveness and passion as you manifest your hearts’ desires.
Praise for The Joy of Living!
"The Joy of Living - 7 Steps to Give up Worry, Open Your Heart, and Love Your Life offers a refreshing approach to connect with your true power, overcome fear, and play 'the game of life' as a great spirited adventure. If you feel stuck, Jim Koehneke's new book will guide you in transforming your life to one of joy and success." — Marci Shimoff, NY Times bestselling author of Happy For No Reason
Jim Koehneke’s newest and finely crafted work invites the reader to imagine the life they'd truly and deeply like to live — and then clearly, eloquently and with gentle warmth and encouragement, reveals the path to that life. Those who opt to take the journey will be richly rewarded.
— Richard B. Does, PhD Clinical Psychologist
"Jim Koehneke's The Joy of Living offers life-altering practices for reclaiming the wisdom, joy, tranquility, and creativity that are our birthright."
Michael Bernard Beckwith, author of Spiritual Liberation
Jim’s new book offers tools and reminders for stepping through the big life challenges. His writing is clear and easy to read — like having a conversation with a wise friend. If you are looking for some helpful ways to shift through inner struggles and change outer life conditions, this book is a wonderful guide. Take the time to digest it and let it simmer in your soul.
— Dr. Linda J. Ferguson, author of Staying Grounded in Shifting Sand
The Joy of Living – 7 Steps to Give up Worry, Open Your heart, and Love Your Life takes you on a journey of personal growth using exercises and approaches that will guide you toward success and fulfillment. Jim’s new book shows you the way to align with Universal Intentions that will transform your experience and open the door to the true Joy of Living. — Dr. Francis J. Smith, Holistic Health Practitioner
Special Appreciation
I sincerely appreciate those who read my various drafts and made editing suggestions. Many thanks to Nancy Hankey, Elaine Lawrence, Jane Chouinard and Becky Phipps for their keen insight and suggestions.
Appreciation also goes to those who have attended my courses and offered me their trust and openness to be their career and life coach. There is something I always learn in my work, which I have come to regard as a very special privilege.
The teachings of Abraham and A Course in Miracles have been invaluable in guiding me to take charge of my life and to attract greater joy and fulfillment.
My son and daughter, Justin Koehneke and Alison Friedman, have carved out a life of joy and full expression such that they now take the place of being wonderful role models in my life.
The Great Spirited Adventure Called Life!
Joyfully engaging and finding your place in the
Great Spirited Adventure
called life begins by taking
an inward journey to connect with your True and Natural Self,
often lost in the complexity and stress of our everyday lives.
As you fully engage in this Game of Life,
creativity arises from your pure and authentic desires,
fully aligned with your passions and connected to
the formless non-physical Presence of Source.
And from this trusting connection flows the
energizing impulse of excitement and ideas for action
from which you paint your artful expression
on the canvas of life.
Once you’re locked in, you’ll want to
share your Purpose in the world ~
making a difference in the lives of others
while you remain in joyful alignment with your
Personal Power, Truth & Love!
OTHER BOOKS by Jim Koehneke
Free Your Mind
Overcome Stress & Thrive!
Eliminate Stress in Your Organization
Strategically Address and Overcome the External and
Internal Stress Factors that Stagnate Your organization
Take Charge of Your Life!
Seven Steps to Put You in the Driver’s Seat
of Your Career & Life
Stress-Free Living
(A Series of Three eBooks)
Declutter Your Mind and Change Your Life!
(co-authored with Dan Brown)
Change Your Thoughts – Change Your Life!
Love Your Work Today – Love Your Life Forever
Workbooks:
What to Do After You Retire
––––––––
Career Not Working?
Love Your Life Workbook
––––––––
I Need to Change My Life!
Rediscover Your Passion and Restart Your Life
––––––––
You can view and link to purchase other books by Jim at his Website:
http://www.loveyourworktoday.com/books/
To schedule a complimentary coaching session with Jim
email him at jim@loveyourworktoday.com
CONTENTS
GETTING AROUND
Who’s in Charge?
Why This Book
Claiming Your Personal Power
The Great Spirited Adventure
The Game of Life
Open Your Heart to Love and Life
Setting the Stage
STEP ONE: GAIN GREATER AWARENESS
Why Things Show Up as They Do
Divine Awareness
Early Conditioning
My Story
We’re All in This Together
The Gift of Expressing Who You Really Are
STEP TWO: PUT YOUR AUTHENTIC SELF INTO THE GAME
The Power to Carve Your Own Statue
The Path to Full Self-Expression
Connect with Your True Nature
From Free Spirit to Vision
Starting Over
Owning Your Power
Your Current Reality
The Gap
Research the Real You
Start with Your Successes
Personal Mission Checklist
Align with Your Values
Connect to Your Passion
Your Unique Purpose
Listen: Your Soul May Be Calling
Discover the Golden Buddha Within
You Are Who You Are
STEP THREE: UPDATE YOUR PARADIGM
Where is SECURITY in Life?
What We Put Out We Get Back
Pivoting: Making the Shift
Shifting Paradigms
Step Out of the Rut with New Thinking
Stories
Write a New Story
Mind Chatter
Give Away What You Want in Return
Stay True to Yourself
BELIEVE in Yourself
STEP FOUR: DEVELOP A FRESH PLAN
Wait Just a Minute!
My Story
Rise Up and Do What Matters
Writing Down Your Life Purpose Statement
Expressing Your Authentic Self in Work
Capture and Organize Your Strengths
Putting Your Strengths on Paper
Organize Your Intentions
On to Goals
Putting Your Plan in Writing
Keep Your Vision Fresh in Your Mind
When Goals Don’t Work, Manifest Results!
STEP FIVE: TAKE SMART ACTION
Re-connect to Presence, Power, and Present Moment
Communicate to Inspire
Be Curious
Speak with Passion and Purpose
Give Your Strengths Away
Match Your Gifts to What Others Need
Overcome Fear and Take Risks
Stay FOCUSED
Discipline: Taking Charge and Doing the Tough Stuff
Small Steps for Success
Getting Unstuck
Keep Your Word
STEP SIX: MEASURE YOUR RESULTS
Are You on Track?
Fantasy vs. Reality
Forces at Work
Ask for What You Want or Need
Get Support to Stay Accountable
Re-align, Re-commit, and Return to Your Plan
Stay Committed to Get Past the Finish Line
Don’t Give in To Giving Up
STEP SEVEN: CELEBRATE LIFE!
Be Who You Choose To Be
List Accomplishments First!
Reward Yourself
Be Happy!
Make Happiness Your Choice
Be the Source of Your Happiness
Power-up with Gratitude
CONCLUSION: FINAL THOUGHTS ON JOYFUL LIVING
APPENDIX
Personal Development Plan
What to Remember
References and Resources
AUTHOR BIO
GETTING GROUNDED
Who’s in Charge?
You are. I am?
you might ask, Are you sure? It doesn’t seem that way!
Absolutely. Whether you know it or not doesn’t matter. If you haven’t yet fully awakened to this truism, your life is unfolding as if you just decided to not pay attention. That’s your choice. But it doesn’t change the fact that you are creating outcomes every minute, either consciously or unconsciously. You’re still in the driver’s seat with the steering wheel in your hands.
Let’s just say some folks you know haven’t yet fully awakened to the truth of how life works. They may think, Wouldn’t it be great if the economy turned around, a great job came my way, the ‘right’ person showed up in my life, the kids were well-behaved, politicians made all the appropriate decisions, and the world was at peace?
Well, if that were true, we could all coast through life enjoying each moment as outer circumstances appeared to our perfect satisfaction. Unfortunately, I haven’t found that to be true in my life and I suspect you haven’t either.
Hoping, wishing, wanting, and expecting things to change around us generally leads to suffering, missed expectations, challenge, excuses, and blame. And using the same strategies to change conditions and improve circumstances leads to the same frustrations as before. There is, however, an alternative.
While we can’t control what is going on around us, we have been given the responsibility to take charge of our lives and carve out our unique statue,
so to speak. It’s our life to live. We can grab the tiger by the tail, or retreat to the monastery. The choice is ours. What we do with our lives, and more importantly how we approach each day, determines whether we are happy or not. We can be joyful in the face of failure (although we don’t have to like it) or we can complain about everything not going our way.
Here is the choice: take charge of your life, or sit back and see what happens. Claim your power and grow with it, or give in to circumstances. My vote is for the former. But along with that choice comes the need to learn how to direct your thoughts and feelings to create the life you will happily call your own.
Why this Book
Somewhere early in my formative training I lost the inner sense or belief that I had the capability of making decisions for myself and about my life. I believed others were in charge —not me. I would wait for them to tell me what to do, where to go, and who to be. Then I would follow their advice, hoping to get their approval. For primarily, I wanted to be loved, and thought others’ approval would be my ticket out of despair.
With my unique childhood experiences, and interpretations of those experiences growing up, I unknowingly adopted a paradigm belief that I’m not good enough, I don’t matter, and I’m powerless.
It felt like I was missing something critical in my life, and although I couldn’t quite put my finger on exactly what it was, I knew I felt powerless.
Years later, with lots of bumps in the road, an inspirational voice in my head suggested I take a whole new approach to life:
"Take charge of your life, Jim. It’s not that you should do this — it’s really the only option you have. Nobody, really, has the power to direct your life for you. You do, alone. Step up and take charge. Not easy to do; there’s fear attached to this way of life. And you will make mistakes. At times, things will not work out. But, if you want to be yourself in life, you really have no other choice. Be courageous and go play on a bigger field. You will have to give up self-pity and complaining, and you will have to take responsibility for your life. But the rewards are truly ‘out of this world.’ You will find tremendous joy in connecting to your soul and your heart; and as you grow your personal power you will transform your outer circumstances while filling your whole being with what you came here for: love, joy, and full self-expression. Now is the time. Take charge."
Needless to say, I was a bit shocked by this message. But it felt right, and I became committed to making a change. I knew I had work to do to turn my life around and that it wouldn’t be easy. I studied from wise teachers, read books, took courses, and opened myself up to new opportunities. What I discovered were life lessons that I share throughout this book, in the hope they will better enable you to claim your personal power, take charge of your life and put you securely in the driver’s seat of your career and life. And fully experience The Joy of Living!
Claiming Your Personal Power
The personal power I am referring to describes the combination of getting results with integrity, being kind and compassionate in the process, and feeling connected to a sense of strength and wholeness. Living life with dignity and confidence. And being satisfied in the moment, rather than rushing around to check off one more thing on the To Do list. This kind of power is not to be mistaken for the ego power of domination and control, rising to great heights on the corporate ladder, or the ability to amass great wealth. It is a far more satisfying experience of flowing with, and attuned to, Source energy and living a life of joyous full self-expression.
I am not at all opposed to wealth and abundance, by the way. Having money does provide the opportunities we wouldn’t have otherwise, and gives us more options to joyfully express ourselves. But the incessant focus on accumulating it, or material goods for personal satisfaction, is what gets us in trouble — for it may take us away from our larger purpose of being in the world.
From my life experience, along with years of being a Career and Life Coach, I have come to see that personal power stems in large part from knowing and claiming one’s own unique sense of Life Purpose, and feeling the joy that comes from sharing it in the world.
If you are confused about what your Purpose is to fulfill in life, not to worry. We will dive into claiming your Life Purpose that I hope will put you in a new game of sharing your gifts in the world, and receiving the joy and value that returns to you as a result. (Please note: I often use the term Soul Purpose in place of Life Purpose, because I feel it more deeply resonates with our spiritual nature.)
But the deep satisfaction that comes from feeling connected to your authenticity, along with