5 Steps That Turn Asking for Help Into A Sign of Strength

In chapter 6 in my autobiographical self-help book, Find the Upside of the Down Times, I describe my experience of being audited by the IRS and my fears about not having enough money.  Anybody else ever had that fear, especially in these challenging economic times? Through that experience I learned a most important lesson, namely that,

Asking for help is an act of strength & confidence, not an act of weakness.

This is not an easy lesson to learn. Asking for help requires facing the need for help. Many of us would rather not, for many reasons, but mainly because even the thought of asking for help can be uncomfortable, much less the actual asking. Asking for help is like openly and publicly admitting a mistake or weakness, a flaw or inadequacy. For anyone who grew up being criticized

Use the Down Times to Find Your Life Purpose

“I am so happy to have Jerry Lopper as a contributor having enjoyed his insightful blog: PurposefulGrowth.com.  I was immediately touched by the following post because I also experienced having to sneak home from elementary school to avoid being beaten up by local bullies.  Jerry’s wisdom on increasing clarity about one’s life purpose makes any challenge a relevant opportunity for growth.  Please leave a comment and check out links to additional posts on this topic at the end.”  – Rob

Use The Down Times To Find Your Life Purpose

By Jerry Lopper

When I was eight or nine years old I was bullied and tormented by a group of old neighborhood kids. Borrowing from Dr. Pennington’s Find the Upside of the Down Times, that decidedly down time in my life was one of the best things that ever happened to me.

3 Steps To Move From The Darkness To The Dawn… Quicker

“It is always darkest just before the day dawneth.” 
Thomas Fuller, English Theologian and Historian (1608-1661)

    In the middle of the darkness it doesn’t look like I’m about to awaken to a greater dawn. But at such times I have discovered that I have a power I didn’t know I had; a power to shed light into my own darkness. Sometimes I find this power this by calling on a “Higher Power” to light my way. Sometimes it is just sitting down and answering the question, “What one step could I take today that will take me one step closer to my goal?” Sometimes I need to do both.

   My first step in the difficult task of bringing light into the darkness is to remember that I still have power to act constructively, even in the dark, down times. When I remember this, my world opens to more opportunities than the darkness allowed me to see. But it amazes me how often I forget. Hopefully you will be quicker at remembering this than I have been!  Here are three helpful reminders…

My Guest Posts On Other Blogs

Here are a few of the guest posts I have been invited to provide for other blogs:

Being Devoted: A Journey of Discovering The Upside In The Down Times on Ruth Hill’s MyDevotionalThoughts.com describes my lessons and discoveries in caring for my wife, Clair, through her illness.  This guest post is lower down the page below a very heartfelt book review by Ruth for which I am very grateful.

How I Feel Is Up To Me! on Gail Lynne Goodwin’s InspireMeToday.com.  In addition, take a look at my replies to comments below this 500 word post on “what I would want my grandchildren to know”. There are lots of insights you might also enjoy.

“A Reason To Be Happy” on The Psychology of Well Being. “You think you’ve had a rough life?….There is a lot we can learn from Dr. Rob Pennington.”

“You Don’t Have To Know How To Believe You Can” on Tia Sparkles’ Your Life Your Way

“Use Your Worry To Create A Goal!” on Steve Nash’s Self Help Collective

“Practice Feeling Good – For No Reason!” on David Leonhardt’s The Happy Guy

“7 Q&A: #1 What was your inspiration behind writing this book?” on Eva Rykr’s blog

“24 Q&A!! #1 Tell us your most rewarding experience since being published.” on Inspired Kathy’s I’m A Reader Not A Writer

The Power of Choice

The Power of Choice

This is a short video clip of a segment of a series of character education programs I help develop with Dot Woodfin and Stephen Haslam.

The Power of Choice=======

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“I got fired. It was one of the best things that ever happened to me.”-Steve Jobs

Although I begin the 4th chapter in my book with these same words, I learned this evening that Steve Jobs had the same experience a few years after mine. He speaks eloquently about it during his commencement address at Stanford University in 2005.

I hope you are as inspired as I am by the courage he had to live the life of his dreams, “as if today was my last”. Sadly, today was Steve’s last day.

His commitment to his vision has changed the way billions interact with each other and the world. His contagious enthusiasm will be missed.

Please take this link to hear his 14 minute address.
http://t.co/kljkvAcy

Turn Worry Into Its Positive Opposite Possibility – A Goal!

In the book, Find The Upside of the Down Times, I write about a time when I had a $36,000 hospital bill with no insurance and I couldn’t imagine how I would ever be able to pay it. This occurred right after I had been shot in the chest, so I was convalescing at home, not able to work. I’m self-employed, so if I’m not working I don’t generate income.

All I could see was a future of going deeper in debt and never being able to get out. This was not the goal I wanted to achieve. But I couldn’t imagine how to fix it and so I couldn’t stop worrying. Does this all sound a little familiar? I bet we’ve all felt this way at some time. Perhaps you might even feel this way right now!

Video – Don’t Go to War Over a Preference!

My second wife threatened to divorce me.
It was one of the best things that ever happened to me
- but not for why you think!

 

In the 7th chapter of my book, Find the Upside of the Down Times, I talk about my relationship with my wife Clair who passed away a few years ago (that’s chapter 8!) Anyway, early in our relationship, Clair started to notice little things I did that made her uncomfortable. Well, they seemed like little things to me!

Here is one example. I would usually get up first in the morning to take a shower. I would turn on the water, push a button to get the water to flow up to the shower nozzle, let it run until it got hot, and hold my hand in the water until it was the right temperature. Then I would get in, take my shower, and turn the water off.

6 Steps To Build A Positive Habit (Audio)

by Dr Rob Pennington

When I first began attending seminars and workshops for my own personal and professional growth, I would become so inspired to make a positive difference in my life. I just knew when I got home I would immediately put into practice all the powerful tools and techniques I was learning. At least that’s what I thought at the seminar

But then… about a month later… I would often find my self thinking, “What was that thing from that seminar I was going to do? It was so clear then, but now… I’m just not remembering,” and then I would just fall back into my old habits.

Those annoying things that slow me down – Audio

I went to the Post Office the other day to ship some books. I had about 20 large, padded envelopes, each going to different locations. As each envelope was being weighed and stamped, I noticed how embarrassed I felt about making all those other people in line wait for so long. Yes, I was that guy who makes everyone else wait in line!

One guy shifted back and forth repeatedly, looking at his watch as if that would make the line move faster. From the glare on one woman’s face I could almost see her blood pressure rising. But one man smiled at me and just stood there looking calm and collected. He certainly made me feel better.