Change Begins with Choice by Jim Rohn

Any day we wish; we can discipline ourselves to change it all. Any day we wish; we can open the book that will open our mind to new knowledge. Any day we wish; we can start a new activity. Any day we wish; we can start the process of life change. We can do it immediately, or next week, or next month, or next year.

We can also do nothing. We can pretend rather than perform. And if the idea of having to change ourselves makes us uncomfortable, we can remain as we are. We can choose rest over labor, entertainment over education, delusion over truth, and doubt over confidence. The choices are ours to make. But while we curse the effect, we continue to nourish the cause. 

As Shakespeare uniquely observed, "The fault is not in the stars, but in ourselves." We created our circumstances by our past choices. We have both the ability and the responsibility to make better choices beginning today. Those who are in search of the good life do not need more answers or more time to think things over to reach better conclusions. They need the truth. They need the whole truth. And they need nothing but the truth.

We cannot allow our errors in judgment, repeated every day, to lead us down the wrong path. We must keep coming back to those basics that make the biggest difference in how our life works out. And then we must make the very choices that will bring life, happiness and joy into our daily lives.

And if I may be so bold to offer my last piece of advice for someone seeking and needing to make changes in their life - If you don't like how things are, change it! You're not a tree. You have the ability to totally transform every area in your life - and it all begins with your very own power of choice. 

You have the ability to totally transform every area in your life - and it all begins with your very own power of choice. 

To Your Success,
Jim Rohn 

Emanuel James "Jim" Rohn was an American entrepreneur, author and motivational speaker.

Testimonial Tuesday - Be Strong by Min. Michelle Goodwine

Often the perception that people have of domestic violence victims and survivors is that we are weak.  Most of the times we even have that same impression of ourselves.  And because of that misperception we remain in an abusive relationship.  We wrongly belief that we are too weak to leave-too weak to live on our own--too weak to raise our children by ourselves.  But those are all false statements.   God wanted me to tell all those domestic violence victims who believe they are too weak to become survivors and move on with their lives to be strong.

My testimonial today is that I once thought all of those false beliefs. But now I know the truth.  The reality is that whatever I lack in strength, God provides.  The truth is that is takes a great deal of strength to live as a victim in an abusive relationship.  People don't understand the level of tenacity it takes to be in a relationship with someone whose moods are unpredictable - who can go from happy to hateful in a matter of minutes. But God does not want us to live that lifestyle.  His word says that "Love is kind."  God does not want us to live a miserable life.

How do I know?  Because I survived a very abusive relationship.  And my testimony is that God will give you the strength that you need to leave.  When I finally had enough of the abuse, and decided I had no choice but to leave, God gave me the strength.  My daughter and I moved over 2000 to a place we had never been to escape.  When we arrived in this strange city, we did not have a place to live, I did not have a job, and we knew no one.

I am glad to report that four years later our lives are so much better.  Not only have we survived - but thrived.  I am proud to report that my daughter graduated high school 1 1/2 years early, and started college one day after completing her high school graduation requirements. We have friends and a church family we love.  In fact, two years ago I became a minister.  Every day I try to use my life experiences to help others.  God gave me the test of domestic violence survivors as my testimony.  And I am grateful to God for blessing and keeping me. Although it hasn't been easy, through God, all things are possible.

Inspiration Quote of the Day

Inspirational Video Monday - Shirley Caesar, Starting All Over Again

Facts About Domestic Violence

vOne in every four women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime.

vAn estimated 1.3 million women are victims of physical assault by an intimate partner each year.

vIn 70-80% of intimate partner homicides, no matter which partner was killed, the man physically abused the woman before the murder.

v Intimate partner violence results in more than 18.5 million mental health care visits each year.

v Sexual assault or forced sex occurs in approximately 40-45% of        battering relationships.

If you believe you are a victim of an abusive relationship, 

you are not alone.  

For help, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-SAFE (7233) 

New Feature: Survivor Profile

Are you a survivor of domestic violence?  

Have you started a New Life through Christ? 

Send an e-mail to us at info@newlifetodayblog.cominfo@newlifetodayblog.com and you may be selected to be featured right here.

Starting in May 2014, every Thursday NewLifeTodayBlog.com will feature a Survivor Profile.

When I woke up this morning, the word "deliverance" came to mind.  I thank God for delivering me from a very violent, abusive relationship.  I thank God for delivering me from a life of chaos.  I thank God for saving my wretched soul from sin. Thank you, God, for deliverance.

As I look back over my life, some days I shiver from realizing how many times God kept me from death.  What I am about to share with you is to not to sensationalize my life, it is just to demonstrate how good God is.  It is to show to all, especially those of us who have been too afraid to leave an abusive relationship, that God is able to deliver you.  I will share this brief testimony today to give God all the glory and honor He so rightly deserves:

The New Year of 2006 had just come in.  It was about 5 am on January 1, 2006, and I was riding with my husband in an old white Chevy Blazer I bought him.  We were going home from a birthday party a mutual friend had invited us to.  My parents, out daughter, and us, had all gone to this friends birthday party.  And at first, my husband and I were having a great time.  In fact, I would have to say that the night has started out as the best night we had in our short 5 months of marriage.  We were have fun dancing and joking with friends and family.  I was looking forward to leaving 2005 behind, to enter into what I prayed would be a brighter future.

But, before I knew it, my husband's mood changed from festive to evil.  He was mad at me for leaving the party to take my parents home.  The plan was for us to got to the party for a little while and leave there to take my parents to church for services.  Even though he and I eventually returned to the party, where he could continue his drinking, he became extremely angry and verbally abusive to me.  He tried his best to insult and embarrass me- even openly flirting with the women at the party.  I tried my best to remain as calm as possible on the outside.  Inside I was afraid of what he would do to me.  And I had a right to be afraid.

On our way home, he drove erratically.  Speeding through the city streets, in the heavy snow fall, our SUV started to swerve.  Although my husband was an experienced driver who had driven trucks and taxi cabs for years, the roads were treacherous - anything could happen.  Although I knew I shouldn't let him drive drunk, I knew if I protested the situation might escalate.  So while he was driving like a maniac, while cursing me out and putting me down, I prayed.  I prayed that God would protect me.  I prayed that I would be able to see my daughter again.  I prayed that some how, some way, I would make it home save.  And I also prayed for forgivenness of my sins.  I prayed that if I did die that night I would make it to heaven.

I am glad to report that I eventually did make it home, although not necessarily safely.  Before arriving home, my husband almost ran off the road.  He even kicked me out of the car in the snow.  I did not know what he was going out to do.  Since the road was quiet and no one was around, all I could think to do was to call my brother-in-law to tell him what was going on.  I did not want to die on that road without anyone knowing what happened to me.  Luckily, my brother-in-law picked up the phone, and I told him what was happening.

I believed that phone call saved my life.  God delivered me.  God saved me from imminent doom., once again.

Looking back over my life, I realized that God gave many opportunities to escape the abuse.  And, unfortunately, it took me many more years to leave him for good.

If you are in an abusive relationship, and God has given you an opportunity to escape, take it.  If you are a survivor of an abusive relationship, remember today to thank God for deliverance.