Kevin W. McCarthy

The Professor of On-Purpose

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There You Go Again, Congress!

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My prediction is that the Health Care Reform Bill about to negotiated between the US House and Senate to put before President Obama will be to health care what the Community Reinvestment Act was to the housing and financial markets – a disaster filled with unintended consequences.  Rather than people losing their homes and facing financial ruin, this time it will be people’s lives and health at stake.  The sub-prime crisis will pale in comparison.

The very engines of wealth creation and free enterprise are being eroded by these proposed policies.  The Community Reinvestment Act fiddled with market economics to qualify previously unqualified borrowers by providing a government backing.  The Health Care Reform Bill is yet another round of government policy rigging the health care system, playing politics and power rather than reforming.  Look no further than the massive fraud in the Medicare and Medicaid systems to see what we have coming our way.  Now multiply this by tens of millions of new people who think insurance is a blank check entitlement to cover their poor choices and unhealthy lifestyle.  

Insurance is a business concept based on actuarial science of share risks. Insurance is not health care.  The very concept of risk-reward and personal responsibility has been lost in the health care reform debate.  We’ve also lost sight of the important role of community hospitals for indigent care.  The Hippocratic Oath remains a prevailing approach to caring for our fellow humans.   Government mandates to universal coverage are yet another falling domino in the Great Society that would undermine greatness and society.  When government steps in as a “brother’s keeper,” then society steps back from helping. 

Please review the track record of greater government direct involvement in non-defense services.  The Declaration and US Constitution speak to the pursuit of life, liberty, and happiness, not as the reason for government to be the public option.  Government is to regulate, not run industry.  The current trend is alarmingly off-purpose.

I welcome your opinions.

PS – I found this clip on YouTube about Health Care in the 1980 Presidential Debates with Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan.  Reagan’s comeback to Carter inspired the title of this posting.  Enjoy!

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How Would You React?

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My daughter, Anne, is a 16-year-old competitive soccer player.  She serves as a junior captain of her Trinity Prep high school soccer team as well as a player on the Football Club of America (Kumba Soccer) located here in Orlando.  Her Kumba team was having a car wash fund raiser in late September.  An accident occurred where one teammate's foot slipped off the brakes and the car pinned another teammate against a wall.  Bree McMahon's legs were crushed.  Anne was one of many who sprang into action.  She called 911 and provided a towel for Bree's head as she lay on the ground awaiting the arrival of paramedics. 

Initially, we anticipated broken legs and damage to Bree's knees.  The severity of the accident came to light a few hours later when Anne's text from the hospital said, "Bree's legs might have to be amputated because the blood vessels were crushed."  Judith and I immediately headed to the hospital to be and pray with the girls. 

Jenna Bush Hager (George and Laura Bush's daughter) of The Today Show did a feature on Bree.  The clip below tells the story.  You'll also get to see and hear a brief comment from Anne from behind Bree's hospital bed. 

Bree and Chelsea (the driver involved in the freak accident) are young Christian girls whose faith is serving them both well in terms of forgiveness given and received.  The character of both young ladies is remarkable.

If it were your legs crushed that day, how would you respond?  My hope would be that I would have grace and understanding like Bree.

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The Christmas Gift of Being On-Purpose!

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TOPP_3D_PrintedBookAre you looking for the ideal Christmas present – a gift of a life time?  Give The On-Purpose Person to those who need the gift of knowing their life can make a difference and matters profoundly even if their present circumstances may indicate otherwise.  

When you order the book online with us, be sure to use the comment section if you would like to have the book personalized and autographed.   This offer expires on Monday, Dec. 21 at noon. 

What Anchors Your Health?

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If you don't know your purpose for being then you are missing out on life… literally.  As you ponder your New Year's Resolutions consider not just what, but why for each of them.

In November, Florida Hospital launched a campaign called Healthy 100.  Their web site headline says,"Have
you ever thought that you could live to be 100 years old? How about
being 100 years old and still doing the things you love? It may sound
unbelievable, but at Florida Hospital, we are on a mission to help you
do just that. Through support and education, we want to help you
kick-start your journey to living a healthier, happier life."

Imagine living to be a healthy 100 year old!

Cover of Cover via Amazon

At the launch event (I attended), Dan Buettner, the author of The Blue Zones, engaged us with his case studies and keys to vitality and longevity which are: Right Outlook, Move Naturally, Eat Wisely, Right Tribe.  Afterward, I spoke with Dan about my work with purpose which falls into the Right Outlook category.  He said to me, "Purpose is the anchor to health, yet it remains the most under celebrated aspect.  Research shows that having a purpose in life adds six to seven years of longevity."

In an article Dan wrote in 2008 for AARP, Dan provides this source, “People who feel their life is part of a larger plan and are guided by
their spiritual values have stronger immune systems, lower blood
pressure, a lower risk of heart attack and cancer, and heal faster and
live longer,” says Harold G. Koenig, M.D., professor of psychiatry and
behavioral sciences at Duke University Medical Center, who has studied
the phenomenon broadly.

EXTRA: Watch Dan Buettner's interview with Martha Stewart in the first link.

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Book Me To Speak At Your Event

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Kevin W. McCarthy is the author of The On-Purpose Person and The On-Purpose Business.  He is one of the world’s leading authorities on the meaningful integration of life and work.  More than just an author, Kevin is a natural leader in business and civic endeavors.  Kevin’s goal with audiences is to stir their hearts, advance their thinking, and inspire them to action.

He is a professional member of the National Speakers Association, the CEO of On-Purpose Partners, and a highly respected business advisor for middle market organizations and a personal coach to CEOs, Executive Directors, and Company Presidents.  Authentic, original, good humored, and engaging are the qualities most often attributed to this thought leader by his peers, clients, and audiences.  He has traveled from Hungary to Hawaii since 1992 inspiring audiences as he carries the message of being on-purpose into the hearts, minds, and lives of people. 

Kevin’s intelligent and easy speaking style mixes light and spontaneous humor with a life-changing message and stories.  His uplifting keynote addresses and programs appeal to those with true aspirations and more responsibilities than time.  These people long to make a difference through ethically building a business, career, and life of significance.  There’s an authentic spirit to his words and way that captivates audiences.

Kevin shows up at the event to work.  He invests himself in your event and people.  Every engagement is tailored to the audience, company, and industry at hand.  Not one to “show and go,” Kevin considers it a privilege to reasonably meet and greet your participants, to sign books, and to answer questions.  He wants to bring value to your event.

To learn more, please call our office at 407.657.6000.

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Are You Thankful For Your Trials?

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Thanksgiving in the United States is a time of reflection on our many blessings.   Has 2009 been a challenging year thus far and are your prospects… well, let's not go there for now.  So in these times, what can we be thankful for in the midst of the suffering?

In today's On-Purpose® Minute, let's explore a few reasons why trials are reason enough for being thankful.

PLEASE listen to this remarkable (link is here) message by my friend, Scott Alexander.  Are you finding the gold nuggets in the mine of suffering?  Scott's message was given at Willow Creek Church in Winter Springs, FL.   Steve Brown of Key Life Ministries chimes in as well after Scott's message. If you've never heard Steve, then you are in for a double treat.

Be On-Purpose!

Kevin

Casting Crowns Music

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Casting Crowns is a contemporary Christian band that just had an article written about them entitled Casting Crowns On Purpose.  In the article, the front man, Mark Hall, shares what it means to have a "life on purpose."  He is really close to understanding the power and potential of being on-purpose. 

Back in the late 1980s when I was teaching about on-purpose in the positive, it was very novel.  Until that time, most people would use on purpose to negate a negative, such as, "I didn't mean to spill my milk on purpose."  I knew then, as I still do today that I am pioneering a positive concept whose time has yet to come.  Even today, most people are seeking their purpose, rather than the follow through of living or being on-purpose.

I envisioned the day when the words and concept of being on-purpose would be in the popular culture.  Well, it continues to creep into everyday use more and more as the Casting Crowns article indicates.  I must admit a certain measure of joy mixed with disappointment because
the general use of purpose is misunderstood and the concept / lifestyle
of being on-purpose is used far too cavalierly. 

Pastor Rick Warren's work, The Purpose Driven Life popularized the use of purpose; unfortunately, it was a watered down version of the concept.  Oh well, I persevere in this calling trusting the results to God.

Be On-Purpose!

Kevin

What are your BIG PLANS for 2010?

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A new year brings a fresh start.  But why wait until late December to make your plans?

In today's On-Purpose® Business Minute, you'll have an opportunity to prime the pump to be on-purpose in 2010.  Learn the three simple steps you can do today to make your tomorrows more abundant and prosperous.  

Please use the comment space below this posting / video to share your BIG PLAN for 2010.  Someone who can help you may very well read your post and provide you exactly what you need to live more fully and fruitfully into your BIG PLAN.

Click here to receive an email notice when I post new On-Purpose® Minutes.

My BIG PLAN: Ever since The On-Purpose Person was written I knew a network of on-purpose persons helping others to be on-purpose was essential.  I've pondered this for years but the timing just never  seemed right.  Now it does!  Thanks to advances in technology and the worldwide economic slowdown.  When the comfort of cash in the pockets is no more, then the possibilities within one's purpose become more real and readily relevant. 

Please tell me your thoughts about my BIG PLAN for the On-Purpose Advisor Network.

Be On-Purpose!

Kevin