Friday, February 25, 2011

The Me Project by Kathi Lipp


(we interrupt the regularly scheduled Moving Thoughts Friday to introduce you a stellar book from a stellar author)

Kathi Lipp’s book The Me Project: 21 Days to Living the Life You’ve Always Wanted is just what the doctor ordered. In January I poured myself out for others to the point of almost evaporating. Needless to say I’ve been craving something to help me refocus and reenergize in my passion and my calling. Last year I was honored to read and review Kathi’s The Marriage Project. That book positively influenced my marriage. The Me Project inspired me in similar motivating ways.

I enjoyed The Me Project so much I piqued the interest of my friend, the pastor’s wife of our church about how The Me Project would be an excellent selection for the church book club.

Here’s a taste of what the book offers:


Three Super-Simple Kick Starts to Living Your Dreams
– in the next 15 minutes
by
Kathi Lipp

Is there a dream that God has given you, but you are waiting until the kids are grown and you have money in the bank before you get started? You may not be able to enroll in a month long pastry making class or take a week off of work to get started on your novel, but today you can take three little baby steps to making your dream a day-to-day reality.

1. Go Public with It

It’s a little scary to tell the world what you want to do when you grow up—but this is one little step could get you closer to living your dream than almost any other. Plus—it takes very little time and you don’t have to raid your kid’s college fund to make it happen. When you gather up all your courage and tell your best friend, “I want to learn how to paint,” suddenly she remembers an old art book she has laying around she would love to give you, or her friend from church who teaches art classes. The people you know and love want to be a resource. Give them the privilege of being a part of making your dream happen.

2. Join an Online Group

This is one of the simplest—and cheapest—ways to start exploring your passion. Find out who else is talking about restoring antiques and listen to their conversation. Start by Googling your interest along with the term “online groups.” You will be amazed with the number of people who want to talk about the proper way to care for 1950’s lunchboxes as much as you do.

3. Don’t be Afraid to Pray

I remember the first time I put an offer in on a house—I wanted it more than I had wanted almost anything else in my life. While I knew that I had dozens of other people praying on my behalf, I was too scared to pray. I didn’t want God to tell me no. I was afraid to pray until my co-worker Kim asked me (in a loving, kind way), why I didn’t believe that God wanted His best for me. Don’t be afraid to pray—as with anything amazing in my life, the path is never what I expected, but it has always been obvious that God’s hand has been on it the whole way.

Good stuff, right?

Let me know what you plan to do to pursue the life you’ve always wanted and your name will be entered into a drawing for a fabulous grand prize giveaway (Deluxe Starbucks Coffee Gift Basket, a $62 value)

Kathi Lipp is a busy conference and retreat speaker, currently speaking each year to thousands of women throughout the United States. She is the author of The Husband Project and The Marriage Project, serves as food writer for Nickelodeon, and has had articles published in several magazines, including Today’s Christian Woman and Discipleship Journal. Kathi and her husband, Roger, live in California and are the parents of four teenagers and young adults. For more information visit her website: www.kathilipp.com
*I received this book in exchange for my honest review

18 comments:

  1. I would really benefit from a book like this one. I need to WRITE DOWN my plan and then do it. Tell someone and get accountable to seeing it happen. Have a good weekend! :O)

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  2. This sounds fabulous. I want both books!

    I want to write. Blogging is the very first baby step...and yes, I do have four children so, I have to be prayerful about my time. My short-term goals are to get some stuff out there. Submit more to on-line magazines and in God's time, possibly be a regular contributor to one. The ultimate project, I feel God is currently unfolding somehow right now and I have no idea what that is. I'm just trying to step in obedience, one step at a time, while first honoring God first and prioritizing my family.

    Thanks for prompting me to spell it out just where I'm at!

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  3. Oooh, this looks like n interesting book and I would definitely love to read it!

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  4. Hi Wendy,
    What a great review...and definitely a book I need to add to my collection.

    Have a great weekend! :)

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  5. I just got my copy in the mail yesterday and I let myself read the first few pages as a little treat (I'm sooooo behind on chores and everything else). It KILLED me to put it down!! This is EXACTLY what I need to read right now, and I CAN'T WAIT to devour it!!

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  6. Sounds awesome, girl! Great review. :)

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  7. Oh, I love the sound of this book. Positive steps toward making dreams come true :) I know something like that could benefit my writing, even as I take steps toward it on my own. Thanks for sharing this with us, Wendy!

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  8. Sounds like good stuff! I've heard about The Marriage Project and need to add it to my TBR pile as well.

    I'm in love with the pursuits of my life right now. Meeting regularly w/ a friend who understands my passion for those pursuits is so edifying. Gotta keep at it. :)

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  9. Wow this sounds like a fantastic read. Thanks for reviewing it for your readers!

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  10. Oooh, thanks for this review and awesome offer! What I plan to do to pursue the life I've always wanted:

    I am GOING PUBLIC with my dream to own a home on property surrounded by trees. How I love trees, and the serenity they give me.

    We have never owned property. We've mostly lived in parsonages, which I think is very generous of the churches we've pastored. But I want my own. Mine. Please, God. Such a small thing for You, the Master of all.

    Whew. This feels great. I'll have to get that book and do the other ideas!

    Love you,
    Jen

    P.S. jeanettelevellie(at)gmail(dot)com

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  11. I really think I need this book right now. Wow.

    I think it's interesting you relate back to the house thing. I've found it easy to put my creative dreams out there "I want to write" is easy to say... but when it comes to the house hunt, I'm like you. Sure God's going to say no. That all this moving is going to result in dramatically "less than" what we had before. It's like I expect to have to do penance or something. Interesting thoughts today Wendy!

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  12. Wendy, I remember your review of The Marriage Project and wanted to try it but never did. You've inspired me to check both these books out. I'm all about growing!

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  13. OK I BADLY (yes I used an adverb) want to win. I'll share a revelation I had last night; my new goal is to completely die to self and focus 1000% on Jesus. (Yes that extra zero was on purpose) Have a great weekend Wendy!

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  14. Awesome review, Wendy. I absolutely want to read this book!

    As for a goal...I want to trust God. I don't think I do entirely...but I want to!

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  15. Wendy - Thanks so much for such a great review - the fact that would recommend it on your blog and to your church is a double honor - and I have to say I LOVED reading the comments here. You girl, are a blessing!

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  16. This book spoke to me today. I have been distracted and procrastinating lately. My goal is to do (and learn what that'do' is) what God calls me to do, and quiet the distraction. My tangible goal is submit 4 Short Stories this year, but I'm wondering is that where He wants me to go? Thanks for bringing Kathy's book to my attention.

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  17. Sounds like good advice, Wendy. It is so easy to get caught up in "doing" and forget about being still and listening for that still, small, voice to guide us. I will have to check this book out - thank you for bring it to my attention!

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  18. I am slowly discovering that the life I've always wanted is truly whatever God would have me to do, so I am kind of "between dreams" right now. I am praying that God will lay on my heart whatever passion He would have for me. I am so excited to see what He'll reveal as I continue on this journey with Him. I have a renewed sense of purpose and peace as I lay my "dreams" in the hands of the only one who can make them come true.

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