Book Review: "Know Your Worth" by Jessica Vaughn

I was absolutely blessed to receive an early copy of this awesome book! 

This book is an absolute MUST read for entrepreneurs, people of faith, and/or fitness minded people and all young adults everywhere. It's been a powerful personal development book for me. Jessica has a way of helping you make sense your past and present-relationships, careers, purpose, etc. As well as helping you create a vision for your future. It's a quick and easy read and can be completely life changing. 


Jessica is an incredibly inspiring person and a wonderful author! She has an exceptional gift for touching lives and drawing people closer to God.

Excerpts that resonate with me:

When you have your doubts, because you will, remember that your purpose in this world is valuable. You are valuable.

Every day I choose to have joy. Every day I want to better serve my friends, my family, and all of my clients. It is a choice that we all have to make. Peace and joy are already within us, but we have to be the ones who let them out. 

You are your ministry. How you act and talk can resemble God. The closer I grow to Him, the more and more I want to become like Him. Therefore, I should be walking it in my life and business with Him—not just on some days but every day. Stop trying to put God into only certain categories of your life.

The biggest tip I can ever give someone is to show love. God is love. He created love. You can show people just a taste of who God is by loving them.

It is weird how we live in an imperfect world yet the expectations of perfection are so highly demanded. People live in fear of being ourselves because we are afraid of who will like us and who will not like us. In reality, not everyone will, and that’s okay.

God is your fulfillment. Period. Where is your foundation coming from in your relationships? Pain becomes bearable when we lean in even closer to Jesus when our heart is hurting. Instead we run to other people to make us feel better. They can’t really say too much to you that will change how you feel. Why? Because it has to come from your own belief in yourself.

When the pain cuts deep and you don’t completely let it heal it will continue to bleed over time. You can only cover it up with so many band aids and for so long before it gushes uncontrollably.

Get your copy here:

http://www.amazon.com/Know-Your-Worth-Conquering-Powerful/dp/1517061601/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1447940757&sr=8-1&keywords=know+your+worth+book

Coincidence?

What if there was no such thing as coincidence or happenstance? What if every intricate detail was part of a grand design, a master plan? Everything happens for a reason. I think it does and here's why.

My first job was nothing special. I worked for my Dad in a heavy equipment maintenance shop while attending Technical College part time. I was 17, doing average duties. I worked nearly full time (just a few hours shy of earning benefits), running parts, organizing and stocking the parts room, and of course my favorite-janitorial duties. A day came where I would no longer be covered under my parents insurance unless I was a full time student. Needing an income, full time school wasn't an option, so my job hunt began. It just so happened a store I frequented for parts had a job opening. I applied and although I was initially turned down, I wound up with the job when the first candidate turned down the offer. A few years into my position as secretary a customer came in. He emailed me after witnessing my coworkers poor behavior. He had an opening within his company and encouraged me to apply. A total stranger offered me a job (for a position which I had no experience)! I took it and worked there 6 years until I was blessed with the opportunity to stay at home with two of my greatest blessings! God planned for me to work where I did when I did. In those 6 years at my most recent job,  I was honored to have coworkers that were more like family. The  supported me through the largest events in my life: marriage, my husband's deployment, and two pregnancies. Neither of my previous jobs offered the supportive people or atmospheres the third did.

This is only one simple example. I can think of at least a half a dozen more, I won't bore you!! I'm sure there are countless others I fail to notice as well.  Some were merely (sometimes less than pleasant) lessons preparing me for things I'd encounter later in life. Others were series of events that led from one thing to the next-like my example above.

It's crazy how much we can understand when we take a step back and allow our eyes and hearts to focus on the bigger picture. God has a plan. Take a moment to realize everything he has done for you, everywhere he has led you. When I do, I feel an overwhelming sense of peace and utmost trust in his ways.

What is our purpose?

The So many of us search for our purpose, the reason we're alive. Why we are living, breathing, our destiny; the meaning of our life. In doing so, I think we make a few mistakes.

First, I believe we encounter our purpose daily, whether we recognize it or not. We expect our purpose to be this grand "ah ha" breathtaking life driving force. However I honestly believe, that is only the case on rare occasions.

Our second big mistakes is our narrow vision. We expect our purpose to be one single mission. From birth on, our life passes through many seasons: childhood, adulthood, careers, marriage, parenthood etc. So many changes are encountered. Doesn't it only make sense that our purpose(s) may change with each season? The purpose of a child might be to save a depressed parent, giving them the will to greet each new day. Also, don't confuse your purpose with your career. Your purpose isn't necessarily the daily tasks you complete that earn you a salary. Your purpose may be found in the clients you help or the coworker you befriend. Your purpose may be to love and support your spouse, or nurture your children. As your life changes, you change, and so does your purpose.

Yes, perhaps there is one monumental deed that occurs in your life, a life saved, the world changed; but to think that was the sole purpose for which you were created...I think that is to short change our creator.

Humbly,

We are not all called to change the world, but we are all called to change lives.