Kevin W. McCarthy

The Professor of On-Purpose

Life's Great Questions

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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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

How did the human race appear?

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A little girl asked her mother, "How did the human race appear?"

The mother answered, "God made Adam and Eve and they had children and so was all mankind made."

Two days later the girl asked her father the same question. The father answered, "Many years ago there were monkeys from which the human race evolved."

The confused girl returned to her mother and said, ‘Mom, how is it possible that you told me the human race was created by God, and Dad said they developed from monkeys?’

The mother answered, "Well, dear, it is very simple. I told you about my side of the family and your father told you about his."

How do I find my purpose in life?

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This is one of those questions that comes up hauntingly too often.
Fortunately, you’ve come to the right place.

Please, allow me give you the short answer about finding meaning and purpose in your life so you can get started.

Grab a sheet of paper and a pen.
Answer the question, “Why do I exist?”
Write everything you can think.  Do a brain dump.
Once you’ve completed this, distill your pages into one page.
Then, distill your one page into a paragraph.
Reduce that paragraph to a sentence.
Reduce the sentence to two words.
The first word is an action verb or gerund (ends with an “ing” like liberating, awakening, or igniting).
The second word is an object.
Give these words a generic beginning of, “I exist to serve by…”
Now you have written your purpose statement.
[Read more…] about How do I find my purpose in life?

What Does It Mean to Be On-Purpose?

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The On-Purpose® Approach is best understood by reading my books The On-Purpose Person and The On-Purpose Business.  They provide a fundamental understanding of this movement of hearts into meaningful action.  Nothing else in the marketplace provides such a broad, yet integrated lifestyle.

On-Purpose® is a holistic and integrated lifestyle advocating the fullness of life.
On-Purpose® is a method with everyday tools to build a life, a career, or a business.
On-Purpose® is a point of view that life and work are by design and meaningful.
On-Purpose® is a light turned on to shine into the darkness of the heart of one’s heart.
On-Purpose® is a way to answer The Great Questions of Life.
On-Purpose® is to live with intention and personal accountability within a larger fellowship.
On-Purpose® is to know one’s purpose and to align one’s life with that purpose.
On-Purpose® is living a called life, instead of a driven life.
On-Purpose® is spiritual in that it answers the deepest longings for significance and belonging.
On-Purpose® is hopeful, positive, and relevant to contemporary challenges.
On-Purpose® is shalom from the Jewish concept of peace that comes from being one with God.
On-Purpose® is to clearly know one’s identity in Christ and to joyfully live in this manner.
On-Purpose® is to seek God first and to center one’s life on The Great Commandment.
On-Purpose® is seeking to meet us where we are and to live as Jesus did in his day.
On-Purpose® is the alignment of your heart, head, and hands within your highest values.
On-Purpose® is practical because it can be lived long term and moment to moment.
On-Purpose® is giving from strength even in times of weakness.
On-Purpose® is the difference in people who make a difference™.