In a world filled with endless distractions, constant comparison, and the relentless pursuit of success and validation, it's easy to lose sight of what truly matters. We often find ourselves caught in a cycle of seeking—seeking approval, seeking validation, seeking happiness—only to discover that the more we chase after external sources of fulfillment, the further we drift from true contentment and meaning. But what if there was another way? What if, instead of constantly seeking validation from external sources, we chose to turn inward and embrace the fullness of our own existence? What if, instead of striving endlessly for perfection and success, we chose to savor the richness of each moment and find beauty in the imperfections of life? What if, instead of chasing after fleeting pleasures and temporary highs, we chose to cultivate a deeper sense of presence, gratitude, and connection? This book is an invitation to stop seeking and start living—a call to embrace a new way of being in the world. It's a reminder that true fulfillment and happiness are not found in the pursuit of external achievements or possessions, but in the richness of our inner lives and connections with others. Each chapter explores a different aspect of this journey—from cultivating self-awareness and acceptance of imperfection to finding joy in simplicity and surrendering to the natural flow of life. Through stories, reflections, and practical exercises, we'll explore how we can shift our mindset, embrace our true selves, and live with greater authenticity, purpose, and fulfillment. So, if you're ready to break free from the cycle of seeking and start living your life with intention, presence, and joy, then let's embark on this journey together. Let's explore what it means to stop seeking and start living—and discover the boundless possibilities that await us when we choose to embrace the fullness of our own existence. Inner peace is a state of being that many seek tirelessly but often fail to find because they overlook the simple truth: it resides within the present moment. The pursuit of inner peace is not about embarking on a relentless journey to find something external; rather, it is about recognizing and embracing the tranquility that exists within oneself. When we stop seeking and start living, we allow ourselves the opportunity to tap into this inherent peace. Instead of constantly chasing after fleeting desires or external validation, we turn our focus inward, acknowledging the serenity that arises from simply being present in the here and now. In the present moment, there is no need to dwell on past regrets or anxieties about the future. Instead, we can fully immerse ourselves in the richness of the present experience, accepting it without judgment or resistance. This acceptance brings a sense of calmness and contentment, freeing us from the burden of incessant striving. By embracing inner peace, we cultivate a profound sense of harmony within ourselves. We learn to let go of the need for control and surrender to the natural flow of life. In doing so, we release ourselves from the grip of stress and anxiety, allowing space for clarity and perspective to emerge. Moreover, inner peace enables us to navigate life's challenges with grace and resilience. Rather than reacting impulsively to external circumstances, we respond from a place of centeredness and stability. This resilience empowers us to weather the storms of life with equanimity, knowing that we possess the strength to endure. Ultimately, the journey to inner peace is not about reaching a destination but rather embracing the process of becoming. It is a continuous practice of mindfulness, self-awareness, and acceptance. When we stop seeking and start living, we open ourselves up to the profound beauty and tranquility that exist within us, waiting to be discovered.

The astonishing, Job-like story of how an existence filled with loss, suffering, questioning, and anger became a life filled with shocking and incomprehensible peace and joy. Vaneetha Risner contracted polio as an infant, was misdiagnosed, and lived with widespread paralysis. She lived in and out of the hospital for ten years and, after each stay, would return to a life filled with bullying. When she became a Christian, though, she thought things would get easier, and they did: carefree college days, a dream job in Boston, and an MBA from Stanford where she met and married a classmate. But life unraveled. Again. She had four miscarriages. Her son died because of a doctor's mistake. And Vaneetha was diagnosed with post-polio syndrome, meaning she would likely become a quadriplegic. And then her husband betrayed her and moved out, leaving her to raise two adolescent daughters alone. This was not the abundant life she thought God had promised her. But, as Vaneetha discovered, everything she experienced was designed to draw her closer to Christ as she discovered "that intimacy with God in suffering can be breathtakingly beautiful."

For many people, remaining optimistic and feeling positive about themselves and their lives is a constant battle—especially when circumstances are difficult and life is hard. For others, negativity is something that only sneaks up from time to time, yet still wreaks havoc in their hearts. Regardless of the root causes, once pessimistic thoughts permeate our minds, our feelings and emotions begin to control us instead of us controlling them. Eventually it doesn’t seem possible to stay positive, happy, and full of joy, and negative thought patterns shake our faith, causing us to sink emotionally, mentally, and spiritually over time. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Despite what storms roll in, hearts anchored in God don’t sink. When we change the way we think, we can change the way we feel and live, even if our circumstances remain the same. Intentionally embracing the opportunity to experience a transformed heart and a renewed mind opens the door for a changed life, because a positive mind will always lead to a more positive life. In Unsinkable Faith, author and Proverbs 31 Ministries speaker Tracie Miles offers hope for women who struggle with negativity. Each chapter explores Tracie’s and other women’s personal stories, showing how they rose above their circumstances by transforming and renewing their minds. Unsinkable Faith is a breath of fresh air for anyone longing for a heart full of joy, an unbreakable smile, and a new, more optimistic perspective on life. This book will equip you to: Replace pessimism with positive thinking by becoming the captain of your thoughts; Learn how true joy and happiness are based on choice, not circumstances; Overcome unhealthy habits of negative thinking by intentionally implementing three easy mind-renewing steps; Stop feeling hopeless and pitiful, and start feeling hope-filled and powerful instead; and Discover that when you change the way you think, you change the way feel, and in turn you can change your life completely.

An accomplished Fortune 50 executive translates for a western audience the lessons he learned from the land of his birth, India. Bob Miglani was stressed out, burnt out, and stuck until he rediscovered the enduring lessons of his childhood: celebrate impermanence, serve others, and move forward no matter what. Bob's message: chaos isn't going away--embrace it!

“Matt Heard writes winsomely and compellingly, answering that quiet aching so many people – yes, even Christians – have that there must be more to life…. I highly recommend Life With a Capital L!” - Joni Eareckson Tada, Joni and Friends International Disability Center What is it that you long for? Dream about? Hunger after? We all desire more than just the endurance of our daily routines. But often we feel limited and stuck — like we’re merely existing instead of living. That’s not the way it was meant to be. God intends the humanity in each of us to be deeply experienced, lavishly enjoyed, and exuberantly celebrated. In fact this is what the gospel is all about. Yes, the gospel. Contrary to conventional thinking — inside and outside the church — following Jesus is not about denying our humanness but embracing it. Rather than acting more spiritual or being more religious, we’re called and enabled to become more fully human… and alive. Matt Heard escorts us on a journey of discovery: that Jesus didn’t come to save us from our humanity — Christ instead yearns to restore it to what God originally intended. Matt then explores ten key areas where everyday life can become extraordinary Life. Christ promised we could “live life to the full.” He didn’t just mean eventually. Life with a Capital L is the Life you are longing for. Now.

A compassionate, shame-free guide for your darkest days “A one-of-a-kind book . . . to read for yourself or give to a struggling friend or loved one without the fear that depression and suicidal thoughts will be minimized, medicalized or over-spiritualized.”—Kay Warren, cofounder of Saddleback Church What happens when loving Jesus doesn’t cure you of depression, anxiety, or suicidal thoughts? You might be crushed by shame over your mental illness, only to be told by well-meaning Christians to “choose joy” and “pray more.” So you beg God to take away the pain, but nothing eases the ache inside. As darkness lingers and color drains from your world, you’re left wondering if God has abandoned you. You just want a way out. But there’s hope. In I Love Jesus, But I Want to Die, Sarah J. Robinson offers a healthy, practical, and shame-free guide for Christians struggling with mental illness. With unflinching honesty, Sarah shares her story of battling depression and fighting to stay alive despite toxic theology that made her afraid to seek help outside the church. Pairing her own story with scriptural insights, mental health research, and simple practices, Sarah helps you reconnect with the God who is present in our deepest anguish and discover that you are worth everything it takes to get better. Beautifully written and full of hard-won wisdom, I Love Jesus, But I Want to Die offers a path toward a rich, hope-filled life in Christ, even when healing doesn’t look like what you expect.

What if it is death that teaches us how to truly live? Keeping the end in mind shapes how we live our lives in the here and now. Living life backward means taking the one thing in our future that is certain—death—and letting that inform our journey before we get there. Looking to the book of Ecclesiastes for wisdom, Living Life Backward was written to shake up our expectations and priorities for what it means to live "the good life." Considering the reality of death helps us pay attention to our limitations as human beings and receive life as a wondrous gift from God—freeing us to live wisely, generously, and faithfully for God's glory and the good of his world.

Author Megean Weldon, aka The Zero Waste Nerd, gently guides you on an attainable, inspirational, mindful, and completely realistic journey to a sustainable living lifestyle. Find tips, strategies, recipes, and DIY projects for reducing waste in this approachable, beautifully designed and illustrated guide. What is zero waste living? Although the practice has been around for generations out of necessity, it is making a comeback as concerns grow about the fate of our environment. To put it simply: it is attempting to send no waste to landfills. Although you may have read or heard about “zero waste,” “sustainable,” or “green” living, the concept can sometimes seem too complicated, the author’s tone a bit self-righteous, or riddled with advice geared for people with 5 acres of land in the country with dreams of raising livestock and homesteading. This is not that book. Can a “regular” person do this? Absolutely! Zero waste isn’t necessarily about zero, but more about changing or altering the way we see the world around us, how we consume, and how we think about waste. It’s about making better choices when we can, and working to reduce our overall impact by reducing the amount of packaging and single-use plastics we bring into our life. Focusing on the positive, An Almost Zero Waste Life presents simple ways to reduce waste in every aspect of your life: Cleaning: Recipes for natural cleaners and how to ditch paper towels for good. Meal plans: Weekly menus and recipes for zero waste meals that use bulk pantry staples. Shopping: How to shop zero waste at big chain stores and ways to reduce food packaging. Bathroom: Sustainable beauty routine. Recycling: Ingenious ways to repurpose old clothing and how to recycle small metals, like razor blades. Compost: The basics of composting. And much more! An Almost Zero Waste Life will change the way you see the world around you, how you consume, and how you think about waste for a healthier planet and happier you.

When someone we love dies, our whole world is knocked off balance. One of the most common and yet difficult feelings you experience is isolation. It seems no one understands what you are going through. And many of us are so busy, you dont take the time to fully grieve and, therefore, heal from your losses. It is very true that people who are grieving often feel extremely tired because the process of grieving usually requires physical and emotional energy. The grief you are feeling is not just for the person who died, but also for the unfulfilled wishes and plans for the relationship with the person. Death often reminds most of the people of past losses or separations. Remember, there are a number of conditions that can make it harder for you as a person to successfully make it through the grief process. For example, sudden losses are harder to deal with than ones that have been anticipated. With anticipated losses, the knowledge that a loss will occur allows people to prepare, both by feeling grief before the fact of the loss and also by planning ways to minimize the negative impact of the loss when it does occur. The loss of a spouse, lover, child, parent, or best friend is usually more deeply felt than the loss of more distant relations and friends. This is because such central relationships have long and deeply felt histories and an intensity of attachment that does not occur with more distant relationships. Central relationships are more deeply and significantly knitted into the grieving persons sense of self, and thus leave a bigger hole in the grieving persons sense of self when they are lost. I discovered that when things are going badly, whether in the family or work environment, most of us strive mightily to improve our situations. But what if the way to overcome a series of losses and failures is just to sink into them? We all go through trials and tribulations. Everyone has difficult situations in their life. It is the way we look at them, and the way we handle those situations. I believe it is the struggle we must endure to gain the strength needed to break through the barriers. With every victory comes the strength we need to overcome the obstacles and move forward. Most people today give up easily because of what you may call emotional downturn. This book in your hand has been written and carefully thought out with you in mind. It has been written to bring you out of your sociological pit and emotional defeat. I therefore gladly recommend this book to your reading that you may be built in His grace. I believe that God will never give you more than you can handle. You often wonder how some people cope with their situations in life, I often hear people saying, IdontthinkIcoulddealwiththat but we dont know what strength lies within us, until the time comes to face the challenge. The harder the struggle, the sweeter the victoryNo test, no rewards.

What can you uniquely give the world? We often sell ourselves short with self-limiting beliefs, but most of us would be amazed and delighted to know that we do have something special - our distinctive passions and talents - to offer. And what if I told you that what you have to give will also enable you to live a life of true contentment? How is that possible? It happens when you embrace and curate your own simply luxurious life. We tend to not realize the capacity of our full potential and settle for what society has deemed acceptable. However, each of us has a unique journey to travel if only we would find the courage, paired with key skills we can develop, to step forward. This book will help you along the deeper journey to discovering your best self as you begin to trust your intuition and listen to your curiosity. You will learn how to: - Recognize your innate strengths - Acquire the skills needed to nurture your best self - Identify and navigate past societal limitations often placed upon women - Strengthen your brand both personally and professionally - Build a supportive and healthy community - Cultivate effortless style - Enhance your everyday meals with seasonal fare - Live with less, so that you can live more fully - Understand how to make a successful fresh start - Establish and mastermind your financial security - Experience great pleasure and joy in relationships - Always strive for quality over quantity in every arena of your life Living simply luxuriously is a choice: to think critically, to live courageously, and to savor the everydays as much as the grand occasions. As you learn to live well in your everydays, you will elevate your experience and recognize what is working for you and what is not. With this knowledge, you let go of the unnecessary, thus simplifying your life and removing the complexity. Choices become easier, life has more flavor, and you begin to feel deeply satisfying true contentment. The cultivation of a unique simply luxurious life is an extraordinary daily journey that each of us can master, leading us to our fullest potential.