Kevin W. McCarthy

The Professor of On-Purpose

Life's Great Questions

Getting Your Life Together

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The On-Purpose Leader Online Mentor Program

Is it time to start living your life on-purpose? Here’s your opportunity to discover your purpose and live it every day.TOPP_3D_PrintedBook

As the author of The On-Purpose Person, I’m excited to more broadly offer this life transforming work via the web.  Now you can begin experiencing the depth and strength of who you truly are and were designed to be.  Over this six week program, you will walk the steps of “The Man” in The On-Purpose Person and even more!   You’ll be in a community of on-purpose persons in creation.

WHEN
Session 1 is the Free Preview on Wednesday, May 26, 2010, 12:05 PM (US eastern)  Sessions 2 – 6 are June 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 same time.

WHERE
Live on the web:

REGISTER NOW for the preview.

The remaining five sessions and supporting web-based community will help you fully experience the On-Purpose® process so you can have better direction, focus, and clarity in your life and work.

Tuition:  $127 per participant
Specials:

  • Tuition for 2, only $150.00
  • Save $28 on single registration through May 28 by using coupon code: EarlyBird28

Enroll Online Here for the entire On-Purpose Leader program.

Would you like to include a 1 hour personal consultation with Kevin W. McCarthy?  Learn more here.

Details: 407-657-6000 x1

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Kurt Vonnegut and Drama in Stories and Life

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Kurt Vonnegut speaking at Case Western Reserve...Image via Wikipedia

I stumbled on this blog post about real life and drama by Derek Sivers about Kurt Vonnegut – an unknown person to me but an iconoclast of some note.   For that alone, I respect him for being more on-purpose than most people.

Vonnegut's chart was enlightening because of its simplicity.  Drama accentuates the ups and downs.  Real life tends to be more moderated (unless you are a 15 year old teenage girl). 

Folks who self-impose healthy drama with exploration in their lives I find to be engaging and interesting.   People who impose unhealthy drama I prefer to avoid. 

Hmmm – just how bold am I living?

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God & The Chocolate Ice Cream

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I am a fan of Nic Askew, the creator of Soul Biographies.  "God & The Chocolate Ice Cream" starring Michael Neill offers provocative thoughts on the integration of the spiritual and material worlds – the space where I like to play and work.  Invest a few minutes and watch this short film that is embedded below. 

Ironically, before opening my computer and watching this video, I awoke about 5:30 a.m. and went to the freezer.  Last night I bought a quart of chocolate ice cream against my better judgment.  I at

Chocolate ice creamImage via Wikipedia

e about half of the chocolate ice cream.  At 5:32 a.m. I pulled off the ice cream lid and turned the container upside down over the kitchen sink drain so it would thaw and disappear.  My decision was based on reasons of both health and spiritual discipline. 

From a health perspective I am 15 pounds over my goal weight.  I know I need to get back on the Health Program my wife coaches.  More importantly, the chocolate ice cream is a metaphorical impediment to my stewardship of all that God has given me.  Think of it as Jacob's hip or the thorn in Paul's flesh.  I've learned in talking with Judith and other health coaches, ultimately, it isn't what we're eating, it is what's eating at us.

My irrational desire for sugar, cream, and chocolate is more akin to an addiction.  It provides a profound empathy for the heroin or cocaine addict.  Truly, there, but by the grace of God go I.  It is a "no" to which I so often say "yes" (watch the video to understand).  Left unchecked, it would consume my life prematurely.  Intellectually I get it, yet lust takes over.  In this regard, I also relate to the sins of Tiger Woods.  Fortunately, my lust is more socially acceptable and less morally reprehensible.  Yet, make no mistake, it is lust gone awry.

I am reminded of Matthew 7:5: "You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you
will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye."  This scripture causes me to hold my tongue at the failings of others.  I'm making the attempt to avoid being a hypocrite!

So why dump the ice cream down the drain?  I've learned the best way to avoid sin is to not cozy too close to it.  Healthy boundaries make for a healthy life.  Sure, it is a fix, not a cure.  Until the deep work in my soul is reconciled, I settle for temporary acts of protection.  

Perhaps, now dear reader, you'll appreciate why I am a fan of Nic Askew.  He stirs the spirit of one who is in the business of stirring spirits.  My hope is my On-Purpose Minutes provoke you is similar fashion.

Be On-Purpose!

Kevin

'god & the chocolate ice cream' from Nic Askew on Vimeo.

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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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On-Purpose Leaders Workshop

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DSC00054

The On-Purpose Leader program based on The On-Purpose Person was a meaningful event.  Here are the attendees after the event.  All were from the East Coast from South Florida to Baltimore, MD.   We had a tax lawyer, several health coaches, a COO, entrepreneur, several people from financial services and insurance, two married couples, and an HR executive. 

The joy of these programs for me is the chance to get to know new and existing people in a deep and profound manner beyond the typical chit-chat.  There's an intimacy and closeness that happens in these events.

Cindy Hedgepeth (red blouse) did a fabulous job of co-facilitating the program with me.  This globe trotting trainer is gracious enough to take a day and work with me on these programs.  

I look forward to seeing each of these participants again.  One of the things we do is offer a 50% discount to returning alumni and a guest on a space available basis.  I have a feeling we will see some of them again as they go to the next level of being on-purpose.  In the meantime, please keep them all in your prayers as they've taken some remarkable steps to examine their lives and invest in making their futures on-purpose.  Special thanks also to Mary Richardson and John Smith who volunteered to pray for the group, Cindy, and me in preparation and during the program. 

Welcome these new On-Purpose Leaders!

Be On-Purpose!

Kevin

Who is the happiest person you know?

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"Who is the happiest person you know?"  It was a simple question.   The answer, however, proved to be more challenging than I imagined.

  • What is your definition of happiness?
  • Who is the happiest person you know and why?

——————

This was today's On-Purpose Minute.  It drew such a large response that I posted it here in hopes that email conversation and wisdom of the viewers would accrue to more than just me. Please share your thoughts on this On-Purpose Minute by adding your comments.  Click on the headline of the posting and it will open up to a comments section.  Go for it!

Be On-Purpose!

Kevin

PS: To subscribe to The On-Purpose Minutes (Tuesdays) and On-Purpose Business Minutes (Thursdays), click here for your free subscription.

March 3 – This date in history.

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March 3, 1916

My mother-in-law was born in Augusta, GA.   Grannie is still living on the dairy family farm in North Augusta, SC.  She needs more help these days but her sense of humor remains.  

Grannie's mind has been slipping.   On a previous visit a couple of months ago, she informed Judith that she was going to be 106 on her next birthday.  Grannie remembered she was born in 1916.  Lovingly, Judith walked her though the proper calculation to get to 93.

Judith and I were visiting with Grannie a couple of weekends ago.  Testing Grannie's mental clarity, Judith asked her, "Mother, what birthday is coming up on March 3rd?"

Grannie smiled and said, "My last… at least that's the way everyone seems to be treating it, what with the party that is planned and all."  Her mind may be slipping but her humor isn't!

March 3, 1992
I signed the publishing contract for The On-Purpose Person with Navpress of Colorado Springs.  This was my first book contract.   The message has sold over 200,000 copies with domestic and foreign distribution.   Now there's an updated version.  Now more than ever this message is needed.   Please help us share it by passing along the free preview available at our web site.

Your Work View

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Today is Labor Day in the USA.  Ironically, it is a day when many of us have the day off from work and the kids are out of school.  According to Wikipedia, Labor Day began as "a street parade to exhibit to the public ‘the strength and esprit de
corps of the trade and labor organizations,’ followed by a festival for
the workers and their families."

Let’s take the occasion, however, to look at the very nature of our labor and its meaning.  The concept of work is vitally misunderstood in many corners of the economy and culture.

For those of us who view work as an expression of one’s calling and difference making, work conjures positive feelings and robust expression of who we are.  For many others the concept of work elicits harsh bondage and dependence on the whim of their boss.  Still, there are some who would wash away all work and settle for a life of recreation and parties.  So what view of work works?

[Read more…] about Your Work View