Bill Phillip's | Transformation

I love that this really makes me go deep in thought about my T purpose.. Mine is this-- I have been a very devoted mother who got to pretty much stay home and raise my kids which I will ever be grateful for.. I wanted nothing more than to be the best mother and wife I could be. I wanted my kids to know without a shadow of a doubt that they were loved completely and unconditionally.. I worked hard at my job as a mother.. One thing, I realize now is that I could have been even more to them by being a healthy person and teaching them how important it was to eat better and be more physically fit.. Well I cant change the past but I can and will change the future.. I now am in the process of working on ME.. I kinda forgot about ME as I was concentrating on my family.. Now, they are pretty much raised and it has been hard for me to assume position of not having them around anymore (a little empty nest syndrome) They will be moving on soon.. I am going to and have been making a difference by taking care of myself and exercising and eating healthy.. Now I can be a fit and healthy gramma here in the next little while... Yes we are going to be grandparents.. Surprised by the news? Oh yes! But, I love the fact that we will not be FAT grandparents, they will never know us that way.. YEA taking care of me is my new purpose in life, and also inspiring my friends and family as they see me BE THE CHANGE!!!!

What is my purpose for my transformation? The purpose for my transformation is not just for myself but for my family too. About a year ago I was introduced to the BFL program and it hit home when I realized my potential. I was always the skinny kid growing up and then when I hit my 30's my weight started kicking in. For about 9 years now I have been with my wife Brandi. This coming November will make our 1 year wedding anniversary. About 2 years ago we got struct very hard when we found out my wife has blood clots in her eyes. This hit me so hard. She could go blind at any time. I kept trying to workout but I let her medical issues get in my way. That was until about 4 weeks ago went I started talking to people in this community. I had a reason why I needed my transformation. I decided that I could not take care of my wife if I didn't take care of myself. I was always worried and stressed out because I was scared to death about the outcome of my wife's medical issues. Now that I started working out and running I have more energy to take care of her. Why didn't I realize this sooner? My wife has diabetes and is insulin dependent, she has had 3 back surgeries, 3 heart surgeries when she was a baby and now the blood clots in her eyes. So my motivation was that I have to take care of myself so that I can take care of her for the rest of her life. If she doesn't have me, she would be lost and unable to take care of herself. She is my will and determination. I'm already loving the results I see and she even told me herself that I'm so full of energy that she can't keep up :) I love myself and post important I love my wife. This is my main purpose in my transformation.

My purpose of change is to have a physical representation of my message. I am an agent of change and motivate organizations and individuals to improve, and need the personal story to share to instill confidence in this change process. I am an advocate of pushing through and reaching beyond personal potential, and need to reach unknown potential in my personal life to broadcast the possibilities to others. I am a messenger, and need the self-confidence and self-pride to ring the message with confidence. I recognize that my well-being affects others and my personal relationships with other people are affected by my personal well-being. I recognize that in order to motivate others to make a life transformation, I must have “walked a mile in their shoes” and live to prove it. This is my message … and this is my purpose for change.

To be a shining example to my baby son, to live with love, passion, confidence and laughter. To realize my true God-given potential and be the best I can physically and mentally. To fully engage in life and in my pursuits without the fear thats held me back before . To create a life that is fulfilling to me and provides for and supports my family. To give to others and to be proud of who I am and why im here!!

My purpose for BEING THE CHANGE and making the Transformation is to present myself in a more confident and secure way to people I want to inspire. This will help me with my continual efforts to help the world by developing technology.

I want that passion that should go with everyday life I want to be happy in every moment. I want to strive towards my god giving potential. I want my life to expand

Whew! What an awakening this exercise turned out to be for me. When Bill said in explaining this assignment that we have to stop living accidentally and start living intentionally, it really hit home and I felt like he was talking straight to me. I had to do some soul searching and look deeply into my life, past and present. I did not know where to start. I truly questioned, "why am I here?", "what purpose is it that I serve?" Over all of my adult life, I only functioned for my children. I had lost me. I went minute to minute, day to day, week to week, month to month, year to year, and so on ..... just surviving for my boys. As I read on in the assignment, I was also moved and convicted when Bill said that living an unhealthy, negative life not only hurts and affects ourselves, but it hurts the ones we love and others as well. Here I was answering the question about my sole purpose in life just to be shot down that I, in essence, was hurting the ones that I loved the most in my life. I started to cry....it was the truth!! In that moment...I vowed I NEVER want to live that way again....I NEVER again want to be that person. So, I started to dig into the stores of my mind. My question became, if I no longer want to be that person, then who is the person I want and need to be.... Here are the 5 areas that I chose to be my top ranking priorities..... GOD I will make it my purpose to honor my God, my Higher Power by choosing to live each day to the fullest. I will embrace each moment I am given and I will be grateful. I will bring positive energy into my life and allow it to flow from me making my life a witness of joy, peace and contentment. MYSELF I will make it my purpose to become the best Timberly possible, through body, mind and spirit. I will work diligently towards health and vitality by treating myself as a temple knowing that the mirrored reflection you see is truth and wellness, inside and outside. I will focus on recreating peace in my mind by filling it with only quality and goodness. I will also continually work towards freeing the mind that has so long been held in captivity as a slave to depression. I will nurture my spirit by reading, participating in worthy organizations and groups, and by giving of myself to my church, my community and my world. MY FAMILY I will make it my purpose to be an excellent wife, mother, daughter, sister, family member and friend. I will do this by sharing unconditional love and support to these most important people in my life. I will strive to lift these people in my life to a much higher plane. I will be a living example by choosing to be healthy, by choosing to be positive, and by choosing to be thankful for my blessings each day. HELPING OTHERS I will make it my purpose to be a helper and a giver to others. I will do this by using the "tragedies and trials" I myself have endured to show that with diligence and lots of persistence there is a way to come out as more than just a survivor to the side of victory. I plan to become certified as a counselor, life coach, and personal trainer to join hands with those who have suffered childhood sexual abuse, mental illness and obesity so we can journey together to personal triumph. I have been richly blessed with people who have walked the path with me, and I plan to pay it forward to others. MY LEGACY I will make it my purpose to invest in things that will last longer and endure past the time my physical body leaves this earth. I will invest in love, my children, my children's children, my written works of poetry, music and stories, my paintings and art, honoring, giving, living and loving. I promise to myself that I will leave a legacy so my future generation of family and friends will have been proud to have known me.

My purpose for this Transformation is I know the body is a TEMPLE, it houses our conciousness, our core being of who we are, I want a strong healthy TEMPLE...Americans have become the most unhealthy people on the planet and sadly we live the shortest compared to other people in other countries...Also I want to fill this TEMPLE with a strong spirit. a spirit free of hate, fear, jelousies etc...etc. By doing this I know I can set an example and be the change!!!

Hi Bill! I've been keeping a transformation journal to log all of these exercises, but I thought it is about time that I get them posted out here! Transformation purpose: I want to show others that living a healthy, productive life is the only way to live! Our health can increase or diminish the quality of our life. I've been on the unhealthy side, and I want to show others that their lives don't have to be unhealthy and unhappy. By Being the Change and living the example, I am showing others that it can be done!! A healthy life is just one step at a time and just one step away!

My purpose for this transformation is not spiritual that part I have, I cannot say it is health, physically I am in great shape, bp, cholesterol, everything. My reason is for self esteem I always feel down when I gain weight I was so upset with myself a few years ago when I could not get into a pair of pants I had I actually punched a hole in the wall. Something that is not in my nature at all, I am not a violent or physical person but I was so angry that was the only way I could get it out..I have never been that angry again but I have disappointed myself by allowing myself to gain this weight.

Because I've always believed deep down, that I was born "for such a time as this". I've always known that God has great things for my life, I just was too scared to grab hold and GO FOR IT! I was once told that my life is a Joseph story...many years as a "slave" and then in the "jail" forgotten...but in the end, God used Joseph to do GREAT things, and change many lives. I always thought it was "egotistical" to believe in myself...that was false humility. I am important, and God does have a plan. I have an amazing husband and wonderful children that I want to have many years with. I want to inspire them that the sky's the limit with their goals...I want to dream big, and live big!! I want to stop holding back, because of fear of failure. I will be all that God's called me to be..I'M READY!

Four heart attacks, a little stroke, skyrocketing cholestorol, high triglecyrides, high blood pressure, saddle bags, man boobs, sleep apnea, no motivation, problems tying my shoes, a low libido, a total loss in faith, that comes with a supersized side of potty mouth and a disgusting poor attitude towards myself and others. All of this is the past. It is all out on the curb for pickup. I AM BETTER THAN THIS. These are my reasons for choosing to transform. I know I can change. I know it.

"We cannot live an unhealthy life without hurting others in the process." If this statement is correct, then the opposite is true-we cannot live a healthy life without helping others in the process. Now that I am 5 weeks into my "transformation", assignment #4 asks "what is the reason for improving my body". Yet Bill also suggests booking beyond the body, getting into the heart and soul. I have not done an adequate job of taking care of my physical well being over the last 17 years. While this area of my life has suffered, it has almost been like I've attempted to balance myself on a 3-legged stool. If one area gets out of balance, I overcompensate and another area suffers for it. Here is my powerful purpose which motivates and inspires me, helping me to realize my true capabilities and potential: The last 17 years of my life have NOT been wasted, but I haven't lived to my fullest potential. I am transforming so I can feel vital, confident, credible, divine, present, spontaneous, honest, childlike, responsible, grateful, passionate, expressive, energetic, independent, humorous, consistent, strong, paternal, a student, and integral (valuable/necesary).

I have been a mom since I was 18 years old. Now that my kids are older I am able to focus on the things that I have neglected for so many years which is my mind and my body. My kids inspire and encourage me to reach my goals. Thanks for inviting me to this challenge. jovita

My purpose for transformation is to work on my inside as well as out to become a well-rounded person, to be the best of myself i can be. I've lived most of my life without purpose and I don't want to die wondering what the purpose of my life was. I want to be a role model for all women and not just an example of physical fitness for women over 40 but an inspiring person full of life, compassion and spirit.

My transformation purposeTo reach my full potential and really begin living life. To make an impact and be a positive, strong female role model. DeadlineMy personal deadline is October 14, 2008, my 37th birthday. My transformation deadline is October 21, 18 weeks after my start date Overall: Get to 135- 137# Body fat to 15-17% Do more yoga, at least one new class outside of my regular class each month (in progress)

I WISH I could say that right now I really want to inspire other people, contribute to the greater good, etc, but the truth is, at present, I just want to be slim again. I hate my body being this way. I don't recognise myself in the mirror. I want to be able to wear dresses and skirts without my thighs chafing. I want to be able to sit comfortably in theatre, bus, airline seats. I want to be able to bend over without a roll of fat getting in the way! I want to be able to buy clothes "off the rack" - and not in the PLUS size section. Physical change - that's my basic reason WHY - at present. But how - after completing two BFL challenges - did I get this way? I know the answer lies in the mental and spiritual transformation process. I want to honour my self promises. I want my actions to be congruent with my values in every area of my life. I want to be at peace with myself - so that I can interact peacefully with other people - and so that I can contribute peace to the world. I want to Be The Change.

My purpose for making this transformation is to be happy and comfortable in my own skin, to inspire my children to become healthy individuals as they grow up and are faced with life's challenges. I want to be fully utilizing my God-given potential in all aspects of my life. And now that I am making a change, I feel I am well on my way to pleasing God.

My purpose is to prove to myself that I have a this tremendous amount of character and self discipline that for now have been untapped. To know for myself that I CAN complete a task I set out to do. And With this knowledge and "Be the change" proof help others to reach thier goals. I know I have a lot more character then I have shown up until this point in my life!!!!!!!

Thanks Bill! Gonna have to think long and hard but it will be worth it.

My WHY? **Because I want to actually LIVE my life...not just "exist" in it. **Because I'm worth it! I have missed out on so much "life" in the past because of my own insecurities & lack of love for myself-I KNOW there is sooo much more waiting for me. I am READY to recognize, and ACCEPT all that God has for me. **To be a "STRIVER" & make a positive difference in the lives of others! I want to inspire, lift up and support others to overcome their obstcales/past and L-I-V-E! **To help homeless animals in any way I can--with the 1st step being :Having enough physcial energy & strength to volunteer or help animal rescue groups in other ways such as fundraising, adoptions, etc

My “why” and transformation purpose is to enhance my life internally and physically so I am at a place to where I can be an example for people that want change. I am tired of living a lifestyle that is detrimental to family, friends, and me. I no longer want to be a product of my environment, an environment egoic in nature. I want to be the catalyst for positive change in my environment. I am afraid the direction many of us are headed. I remember when I was a child going to the park and the park being crowded. If I wanted to play on any of the playground equipment I had to wait my turn. I take my nieces and nephew now days and the parks are smaller and not crowded. I am guessing the children now days are at home sitting in front of a television? The thing is my nieces and nephew love the outdoors. Why do we not cater to that? Also, I am in shock at the amount of overweight children. I remember when I was a kid in school three out of the twenty-five of the children in my class would be overweight. Now I see my nieces and nephews classes and it looks like close to have of the children are overweight. This is why I decided to take this challenge. If I can help myself maybe I can help or inspire someone to make a positive change in their lifestyle. I would love to see Universal Law of Reciprocation come to fruition with this community. Change=Transformation.

My purpose at this point for my transformation journey is to live an active and more fulfilling life while encouraging others to do the same. I want to be able to prevent disease and illness caused by poor eating and fitness habits that have traditionally been associated with growing old. I want to foster a sense of family and community in a positive way among my family and friends. I want to teach others that the road to accomplishment is only one decision away. I want to be able to use my life experiences and continued journey as a true statement that working and progressing towards improvement not perfection is the way to go. ...Brian

My why is that I see the after affects of the path I am headed down, people in thei 40's and 50's disabled to to heart problems and diabetes. They are living on government diability and are a burden on their families because the government cannot and does not do enough. My second why is because I would like to have a baby and right now I am not healthy enough to carry a pregnancy to full term without endangering both myself and the child. And my third why is that my husband, my family, and my God deserve a complete me, not a sick, disabled version of me.

I have been changing in all areas of my life except for health. My purpose is to live an intentional life or someone else will live it for me. My body is suppose to refect who my god is that I serve, and how am I suppose to be a good witness for Christ if I am destroying His temple? I know that I am better than settling for this out of shape body. I know I have many people to help & motivate. I want more than anything to be an active Mom & want my husband to be proud of me where ever we go. I want to be a good example for my baby in fitness and eating right. I want to improve my health so I can fulfill my God-given plan - to encourage and serve other people. Thank you Bill for making a difference in this world, and helping each of us get back to basics and love ourselves first and take care of us before we can go out and love other people fully and help others.

I'm doing this to be transformed completely mentally, spirtually, and physically. To inspire others and to be a role model, that people can look up to. To show others a healthy lifestyle is the way to go. To be a complete, whole man, inside and out. That is my goal. T

Bill, The reason I am transforming is so that I can live my life to the fullest, mentally, physically and spiritually. By me doing that it leads to effecting people immediately around me.First my family, then my brothers, sister and parents, Then all the people whom I'm in contact with every day. People take notice of the change in you in all three aspects. If they notice they will change, and this world will become a greater place. In the last 20 days I have lost 10 pounds, I smile more, and I am a more vibrant person. This is contageous, but in a good and positive way. In the end to sum it up, I am changing for me, but it effects a multitude of peoplealong the way. This community of people have helped me tremendously in me attaining my goals in all three aspects. Thank you to all, God's peace and love be with you always.

This assignment really hit me hard. I use to think that how I was living wasn't hurting anyone but myself. I took a long, hard look into the past and realized that I have unintentionally hurt the ones that I care about more than I ever imagined. My eyes are wide open. I want to live intentionally and stop living accidentally. My purpose is to live my life with no regrets, live and inspire the uninspired, be the model of healthy living for my family, lift up and encourage everyone that comes into my life, and to live a life that gives God all the praise and glory each and everyday.

My "why" = wanting to be in great physical, mental and spiritual shape so that I can inspire and teach others in my life to live strong and with purpose. I want to begin living a life full of joy and purpose rather than just sefishly existing and filling space on this planet. I want to Be the Change :<) ~Paul.

My purpose for making this transformation is so that I, and all those close to me will start enjoying life to the fullest as a direct effect of my renewed energy, enthusiasm, and positive outlook.

My purpose for making this transformation is so that I, and all those close to me will start enjoying life to the fullest as a direct effect of my renewed energy, enthusiasm, and positive outlook.

thank you for all your responses – they are very inspiring. last week my mother passed on. she was a beautiful, loving woman who never took much time for exercise or her health. but she gave everything to us. she had had a series of strokes and it was so hard for her. she kept her sense of humor until the end. which was hard for us as it always is…i want to be healthy and vigorous at 70, 80 and beyond. i do this in her honor – to be happy and positive and a vessel of her love and of the universe’s love. i have yo yo’d for years – even completing a challenge and looking and feeling fantastic, but my focus on anger and bitterness and disappointments made me abuse my body with addictions to food and sometimes heavy drinking, i allow those around me to affect me, particularly the negativity at work and i am now, now, now, letting that go and being the change i want to see, not empowering the complaining and the anger but living in and by an impeccable word and diffusing all the anger by my relationship with the light of God. i will transform, finally. for mom. for my love. for my health. for others as an example of what is possible. to live a full life and be present and not drenched in pity and bitterness but soaked in wonder and gratitude for all i have and the possibility of each minute, hour, day.

Last December, I was promoted to an external sales consultant within my company. This promotion involved moving my family from a place we love (Denver) to a place we know nothing about (New Orleans area). Don't get me wrong, this is an amazing opportunity and I will not waste it. However, since the start in my new position, my life has felt out of control and that I am merely hanging on for the ride, instead of enjoying it. The stress level has gone through the roof, with the increased pressures of my job and being the sole income provider for my family. As you can imagine, workouts are not priority number one. Excuses are readily available and with each day that passes, the downward spiral continues - stress, lack of motivation, bad eating, etc. Today it stops! The WHY for my transformation is threefold: -Regain a feeling of control in my life - one small step at a time -Inspire family and friends - show them what motivation, persistence, and a little hard work can do -Motivate others through my own actions - how to utilize all the energy that surrounds us (both good and bad) as fuel to reach our goals

my purpose for this transformation is to start to deal with all the negative things about myself that I beat myself up with daily. I come to find that I feel unloved, scared, rejected and angry. As I look at the picture of myself These are the things I feel. I not only want to change the outside but I really want to change the inside. I am always tired and I withdraw from the people I love the most because I don't like who I am. I have the Love and forgiveness of Jesus Christ, I now need to start believing it in my heart. I want to lose weight but I also want to do what God has put me here to do, so I hope to discover that throughtout this transformation.

I've been thinking about this one for a couple of days now, and taking notes, and had some real moments of clarity. My life is pretty ordinary, (unlike many of your amazing stories) Yet I want so much more. So-Here's my initial list, maybe it will help someone as you all have already helped me. To actually finish something. To beat the "family Rap" of everyone in my family being overweight. To learn a new way of life for my kids. So I dont feel like the fattest one in the room. Not so self-conscious-and stop always thinking about me! To show happiness and joy from within-to be a true light in the world, walking in the power of God. To Honor God by being diligent and caring for the body and spirit he gave me. To no longer be caught in the grips of instant gratification. To learn how to set goals, and how to actually reach them. To do something really great, really remarkable at least once in my life.

As a physician in training, I’ve spent countless hours studying the endless number of ways I can help those who are sick, and have found myself using my hectic schedule as an excuse to hide behind my increase in weight, lack of exercise and melancholic state. I need to remember that my health is a priority as well. So, is an 80hr work week filled with 24shifts, that don’t include daily study hours sound like a crazy work regimen, YES?! However, is that an excuse to eat sloppy, or to forget about working out all together…NO!! Proper planning, my faith and family, friends and the “transformation” community is all I need to overcome this current challenge, a challenge that I know will not only transform myself and those around me, but also be a crucial part of what I know will eventually make me the wonderful doctor and role model I have always dreamed of becoming!

Transformation assignment 4 Why? Why bother? Well, the real bother happens when you don’t bother. Modern civilization has replaced nature to some extent. We have manufactured ways to survive without much effort, and so our bodies (and all the spirit that is attached to our bodies) succumbs to the unnatural lifestyles that we have created. Fortunately, we have the knowledge, intelligence, and means to reconnect with life as out species evolved to life it—with the extra advantage of maybe double the years of life. Not to take advantage of this interface of evolution and scientific progress would be sad and stupid. I want to be happy and fulfilled. That’s why the transformation I will make is to put myself into a better world and share it with as many people as I can. This is the world that we can make together with the materials that lie at hand right now.

I like so many others,had gotten to a point where I just did not have the time.I work on the road and that makes it very hard to train and eat right!Excuses are easy but by listening to Bills wisdom,I came to see how lost I had become. My reason is to get back to being the real me,reconnecting with all I truly believe in and brake away from the complacent state and habbits that I am in.If I cannot help myself how can I help others. My body is like a ship if it is broken,I cannot cross the ocean.

I am doing this because I want to be Free. I want to be free from a life of comforting myself with food and hiding behind the fat wall that I've put around myself to act as a guard.....it's actually been a guardian that has been waving a sword back and forth preventing me from entering the path of success. As long as I can hide behind the fat I never risk actually trying for the success (whole success - Mind, Body, Spirit) and it leaves me with an excuse - (I can't do it, I'm a loser, see...I'm fat). I am doing this to be FREE. I have been in bondage. I want to be a FREE MAN able to be my best for the ones that I love and even the ones that are out there that I don't yet know. Where that best Mike will lead me I don't yet know, but it will be good. FREE Mike

After spending my entire life yo-yo'ing up and down in weight (with the accompanying ups and downs in self-esteem) I have come to the conclusion that merely getting my weight under control won't satisfy me. I have followed many "diet" plans with some success... only to watch the weight come back feel myself get weaker over time. Eventually there came a point where age caught up with decreased metabolism, increased cholesterol, and lethargy. I have been doing a lot of soul-searching over the past two years... I haven't been able to motivate myself to get back in shape and I haven't followed through on my fitness plans. I knew there was something missing. What was the "magic" link for me? I have realized that looking good isn't enough for me any more. Feeling good isn't enough. I have achieved many things I want out of life- education, a great job, advancement of my artistic skills, a wonderful relationship and beautiful children. I asked myself "who am I as POSSIBILITY in this lifetime?" "How can I realize that possibility?" Those are the important questions to me. My answer is simple and yet the ultimate aspiration. I am as possibility "love and light." Not just "love and light" in the world. Love and light PERIOD. In order to let the potential of my highest self shine through my self-imposed haze of moods and obstacles, I knew I needed to get beyond what I've done before. I needed to commit to getting to "10" in all aspects of my life. Indeed... I needed a "transformation." Over the past six months I've done a lot of work and am learning how to "let go" of everything I don't need and focusing on what makes me whole and complete. A little over a week ago I "stumbled" across this site. No accident, believe me. This is the next step for me. "Transformation" summarizes everything I'm already doing... tying everything together... body, mind and spirit. So, Bill, my purpose in taking on this transformation is to be fully realized as the person I know I am deep inside... my best self... my highest self... manifested as light and love. Becoming fit and feeling more empowered in all areas of my life leads toward this ideal of "self realization." I know in my heart and soul that letting go of the extra fat on my body and increasing my energy will move me past the limiting conversations I've had in my head and release potential I've had all this time but never totally accessed. I know as I work this transformative process that I am moving toward "my best me." As I work toward my goals... toward my purpose... I inspire myself. That inspiration creates an open heart toward others... and empowers me to give like I never have before. I am so excited about this process that my co-workers and my husband are taking notice. They want a little of what I've got. And so they shall have it! I will be there for them throughout my transformation and beyond. Blessings to you Bill for "Transformation" and to everyone who cares enough to be all they can be! - Kristy

Bill, when you said itwas all about the energy, you got me! Since I decided to take the challenge, it has changed everything! No, no big weight loss yet, but everybody has noticed the "change". My reason is to be above average, to inspire people, to have the energy to enjoy success, to be congruent, to be here for my family and friends and to fulfill my calling. It's been fun to work out more, to eat better and to look forward to it every day!!!!!

My purpose is to be here for me and my son. I want to be a good role model for him (which I am in many ways already) and to help him find a healthy way and hope that he doesn't go through 32 years of abusing this body that God has given us like I did. I hope to become physically stronger and be here for a long time without feeling like crap everyday. Those days are over! I do want to find out what my ultimate purpose is. I help people now and I want to help people in the future when I'm not shampooing hair anymore. :) I will FINISH this challenge. I want to stop the self-loathing voice. I want to be able to take care of my responsibilities without being crazed. I want excellence. :) I want what the "Fly" in my name is for: "Finally Love Yourself". I need to take care of me. Thank you for making me think.

I had an important realization thinking about this assignment. I've been wondering, in the back of my mind, if it isn't actually selfish to pursue this Transformation just for ME. But in thinking about my issues with poor self-esteem and self-confidence, I realized that having a negative self-image strongly affects how I deal with other people. I naturally try to feel better about myself by looking for faults in others, and I find it easy to fly off the handle at the slightest provocation. I realized that if I feel better about MYSELF, it will POSITIVELY affect my relationships with other people, because I no longer will be looking for faults in others. Therefore I can be satisfied in wanting to do this for myself, because my relationships with other people will naturally improve.

Why do I want to be healthy and fit? I want to be a positive role model for my children. I want to be able to enjoy life to its fullest potential. I want to live a long active life with my husband. I want to be active with my grandchildren someday. I want to travel around the world. I want to bike, camp and backpack. I WANT TO BE HAPPY!

Why? That is a great question. Well , I'm entering the FDNY in January and I will be 35 by that time. I will be competing with kids literally almost HALF my age. I want to, scrath that . I WILL finish NUMERO UNO in my class. I also work with children teaching them basketball and conditioning as I am a Certified Personal Trainer( although you wouldn't know by my before picture, which will be posted soon ). I want to eventually work with professional athletes as well and need to BE THE CHANGE I want to help them become. I need to be the person the young athletes parents come to for advice on what to do for their child. I need to be an example to my family about what can be accomplished if you TRULEY BELIEVE. Finally, I honestly in my heart and soul believe I was put on this earth to help millions of people reach their potential. Also, it's been almost a year, actually 11 days from today, that my MOM passed away. I want to dedicate this to her and one thing I always said to her in the hospital until the day she made the final transition was to think "ONLY POSITIVE THOUGHTS, NEVER NEGATIVE, ONLY POSITIVE". That is what I offer everyone reading this. Focus on what is positive not negative. I will write again soon. AMDRMD13

Now that can preach! You hit is right on friend! Knowing what we want, why we want it and seeing it accomplished is the key to success. I think that 90% of success is mental and the other 10% is the action. It is easy to do the action once you get your mental state aligned. I took a long hard look at myself last night and realized I allowed my physical shape to revert back to where I was before. I did this because I reverted back to using food to stuff my feelings. Today I am ready to deal with my feelings from my neice passing away in March and the aftermath it has had on my family. Part of that is letting go and changing myself and being the best that I can be in order to help others overcome as well. I will overcome!

On June 27, 2008 my grandmother passed away, she was 88, a good long life I know. In the last few weeks of her life I realized something, something which I had known all along but had not take note of, all you have at the end is your health. She had numerous ailments, which limited her quality of life, and I will never forget walking out of the palliative care unit after her passing - her only possession that remained was one box containing pictures of her children, a blanket & pillow and her favorite housecoat. In the end, all you truly have is your health and family. My Transformation purpose is to live the healthiest fullest life I possible can, filled with love and laughter. Deb

To love myself and let that love flow to others - family and strangers. To love myself enough to live my life that I was blessed with. My creator made me perfect and no one can take that away - not even me! To see only the best in others. To be an example to my husband and children of living life with love and passion. That I can do anything and I can finish what I start. To learn to love myself, as I am because that is perfect just as each and everyone of us is.

I always considered myself the ugly duckling of the family. I have three beautiful sisters who all work very hard to stay healthy and in shape. I was always the nice smart one. I was always the heaviest but not necessarily always overweight. I took a good hard look at photos of myself a few nights ago and realized how in shape I actually used to be. I couldn't believe that on my wedding day I actually said to myself "I wish I could have lost 5 more pounds" when in actuallity, I really looked great. My sisters were my bridemaids and I guess I must have been comparing myself to them all these years until the belief became reality. I am fat and unhealthy now, living the life I thought was me all along. Transformation for me runs very deep. I love my sisters very much but I also love myself. I need to become fit and healthy and start to accept my image regardless of who I am surrounded by. I guess Ghandi stated it the best "Become The Change You Want to See...", I may borrow his statement until I can come up with one on my own for a few days. Thanks Bill for sharing you journey and in helping us discover ours. Lisa

Wow, this was tough! I did one BFL years ago and it was so flippin' fantastic!!! I was a hottie! But then existence got in the way of living and being a hottie wasn't enough motivation to keep getting up at 5 am to get to the gym/track. The sad part-I never took an AFTER photo when I completed the challenge. Now I can't remember what I looked like when I look good. But I also know that looking good isn't enough motivation to stick with the lifestyle when the going gets tough-for me anyway. So here are my thoughts on purpose: 1. To appreciate and enjoy this precious human life. 2. To show on the outside what is really on the inside. 3. To prove to myself that I really can finish something I start. 4. To show others what is possible. I loved CJs post about having POWER everytime we interact with others. Thanks, CJ, that really helped clarify some things for me. And burning the bridge is a wonderful metaphor for never going back to this life of existence and mediocrity. Thanks to all of you for your deepest thoughts and sharing what is in your hearts. Bill, and everyone here, you are POWERFUL inspiration!!! Wendie

1. To continue living life as best as I can where my mother left off. 2.To live with no regrets and know that I did my best. 3.To be a positive example for everyone I come in contact with 4.To stop doing the things that are not working and replace them for something that does. Regards, -Derrick

Why did I join the transformation challenge, in the beginning my answer was because I believe in Bill and that his program could help me find a reason to be alive. This is the cliff notes version on my blog on this exercise. I have followed the BFL Lifestyle for 7 yrs, before having a set back. I lost my businesses and everything I had worked for for the last 8 years. The discouragment I felt overwhelmed me and I stopped working out and eating right. I had read and learned so much from Bill previously that I joined the Transformation challenge as soon as I saw it to get back on track. Why am I participating in the transformation challenge? To find the hope and way to be the person I can feel inside me. The one that keeps trying to emerge and keeps hitting walls to keep it in. To let out the person that reflects my personal mission statement. And because I believe that Bill's program can help me do that. This is the person I want to be -- the statement I will read many times a day: I am here to change the world by empowering women. I travel in comfort to experience the world and people's beauty and diversity first hand. I am a woman of power and integrity, an influential leader, and an energetic achiever. I use my healthy body to laugh, play, and have fun daily with my family and friends. I have a radiant soul that attracts loads of positive successful friends into my life. My family is positively connect eternally through a family legacy that continues beyond my lifetime. And that is the person I willl become by the end of the transformation challenge. Thank you Bill. This exercise helped me to realign myself with what I want to be and find the beginnings of a new path to travel.

Why did I join the transformation challenge, in the beginning my answer was because I believe in Bill and that his program could help me find a reason to be alive. This is the cliff notes version on my blog on this exercise. I have followed the BFL Lifestyle for 7 yrs, before having a set back. I lost my businesses and everything I had worked for for the last 8 years. The discouragment I felt overwhelmed me and I stopped working out and eating right. I had read and learned so much from Bill previously that I joined the Transformation challenge as soon as I saw it to get back on track. Why am I participating in the transformation challenge? To find the hope and way to be the person I can feel inside me. The one that keeps trying to emerge and keeps hitting walls to keep it in. To let out the person that reflects my personal mission statement. And because I believe that Bill's program can help me do that. This is the person I want to be -- the statement I will read many times a day: I am here to change the world by empowering women. I travel in comfort to experience the world and people's beauty and diversity first hand. I am a woman of power and integrity, an influential leader, and an energetic achiever. I use my healthy body to laugh, play, and have fun daily with my family and friends. I have a radiant soul that attracts loads of positive successful friends into my life. My family is positively connect eternally through a family legacy that continues beyond my lifetime. And that is the person I willl become by the end of the transformation challenge.

To live in health and vigor for the rest of my life no matter what my age so that I might be able to serve others.

I'm a good special education teacher so I know how to help kids...I love it. It seems through when you are busy helping others you seem to neglect yourself. My transformation purpose is to take care of myself...so I can continue to help others. I want to be a great example inside and out and the only way you can do that is by being happy with youself. I'm tired of starting a transformation and never finishing it. I'm ready this time and looking forward to see the results....Vicky

For me this was another tough assignment and it’s taken me a few days to come up with my answer. I’ve been struggling with eating right and being healthy pretty much my whole life. I think a huge part of why I struggle with this so much is because I haven’t really known what to do with my life, where I was going, or what my reason for living was. I’ve always believed in God and I believed that he had a plan for my life, but I’ve just recently realized that I did not truly accept this, because if I did then I wouldn’t have wasted so many years living with no direction or intention. I have finally decided that I no longer want to live in this abyss of nothingness. I want my life to be GREAT, not just average or mediocre and I want to help others find their way to greatness. I truly believe that we are put on this earth to help and love one another, but in order to truly love and be there for someone else you need to first love yourself. My goal and my purpose is to transform my body and soul, to become the best version of me, to lift others up instead of bringing them down, to learn to love myself and be able to give that love away.

WHY? What's my purpose for making this transformation? I've been "transforming" or doing "BFL" all my life. I think I was doing "BFL" before Bill even started it. The only problem was i never finished it. You start out in a sprint only to drop out of the race. One day it hits you and wonder where your life has gone. Clutter, procrastination and "tomorrow" soon becomes your way of life. Instead of affecting other peoples lives you seem to just be holding on to yours. The days become a blurr and they all run together. You find yourself wishing for the "good ole days". Days when you thought you had it all together. But over the years I have come to realize TO BE THE PERSON YOU WANT TO BE YOU MUST BE THE PERSON YOU'RE NOT. The sad fact is there are far to few Bill Phillips in the world. One person can affect many lives...positively or negatively. When I sit around wishing things were different in my life, not only do I do nothing for myself, I do nothing for the ones around me. I rob those I don't know of the things they need in their life. Change starts with me. Not just today but tomorrow, next week, next month, next year. When you wake up and realize the only way to rid yourself of this way of life is to make that decision to change...no matter what. Love who you are and what you're about so you can do the same for others. Jesus says it best in Matthew 22:37-39 "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: you shall love your neighbor as yourself" So the message is really simple if you don't love who you are you need to make a change so you can truly love others. GK

My purpose - To always be aware that God created me and demands me to be HEALTHY, HONEST, HUMBLE and TRUE to MYSELF so that I can serve others and Him.

My Personal Transformation Purpose... "Seeing the Perfection in Imperfection!" I will give up the illusion of perfection and accept that it doesn't exist. Not in me, not in anybody...and that is a good thing.

My purpose is to be a model of possibility. Many of us are either programmed with "I can't" or adopt it later in life. I know I have. I've read posts where people talk about "reclaiming their power", but I have news for you - you haven't lost it. People see you. They see how you live. They hear your words and take them in. If you have contact with ANYONE during your day, you have POWER. We all affect our circle, no matter how big or small that circle is. The only question is: What is the message you're conveying? Is it positive? Are your words encouraging? Does your example uplift others? Or are we encouraging discontent? Joining the complaining? Putting someone down under the guise of humor? I said my goal is to "be a model of possibility". Maybe a better way of saying that would be to say I'm acknowledging that I AM am model of possibility. But I think it's time to change the message of what is possible. BTW - This is hard. I'm trying to write this from a positive viewpoint, almost from the "future". Like it says in my profile - "in the abyss - somewhere near the bottom:". But that's the point here - to see, clearly, where we are NOW. Then DECIDE where we WILL be and WHO we'll be. And this time, the damn bridge BACK across the abyss is going down in flames...so help me God....

I to am playing catch up here. My transformation purpose first of all is to prove to myself that I can start and finish this challenge. I want to be healthy. This transformation is about a new beginning in I am meant to be- beginning on the inside this time. I want to be strong, passionate about life, not just surviving and I want to be able to trust myself to make good decisions in taking care of myself and my family. I want to go back to school and since this is a huge step for me, I want the reassurance that I can succeed and it all begins here with realizing that I have to live with a purpose from here on out becoming the person and living the life that God wants for me.

My transformation purpose: To feel healthy, to prevent type 2 diabetes' arrival and to be HAPPY again. To give my husband a healthy wife.... from the inside out. To have my husband and children be proud of me. THIS is my transformation purpose !

I'm playing catchup to the assignments. I just joined. My purpose for wanting a transformation is because for the last 4 years, I have been existing - not living. I didn't want to believe that for the longest. In the last few months I started to realize what I'm missing out on. I gained 100lbs in about 5 years. I was never heavy. Yet life happened & I didn't handle it well. Food was my drug. As a result with all "addictions" it took over my self-esteem, my assertive personality, my ego was badly bruised. People tend to look over you, around, below or thru you. NOT at you & when they do, it's as if you don't count! I WILL tranform to the ME I know I am. I am doing it for my health & to TAKE MY POWER BACK!

My transformation purpose: #1 is to actually fully complete this challenge; cross the finish line. I have started 'Body for Life' challenges so many times before in the last 10 years and other challenges and never saw it through to the end. I'm sure there are several others out there that have done the same, but it would be such an amazing, wonderful thing to complete the challenge. I need that sense of accomplishment and to know that I stuck with something... I think it would have a transforming effect to other areas of my life. I want to go back to school and get my BS degree. If I could complete this challenge it could give me the initiative and motivation to get my bachelors degree. I know this challenge can transform me on the outside, but I feel that I will experience a greater transformation on the inside. I want to find that inner strength I know I have and I've seen glimpses of but have not been able to fully realize in my life up to this point, but I know its there and I want to unleash it.

Why am I trying to make a transformation? Because I've decided to "live". In order to accomplish this, I have to heal my spiritual soul. Your messages and challenges inspire me to do that.

Yes Bill, the idea of how our being and presence influences those around us, those close to us, those whom we love, those we come in contact with in our work, where we lay our money down...you've brought home to me the importance of REALLY applying myself to transformation. Plus just yesterday I attended the memorial service for a close friend. What a huge and wondrous crowd was there sharing appreciation for the gift he was to all of us. He embodied the principle of living a full life. I believe I can do the same, with support and encouragement.

My purpose for making the Transformation... I was an obese child/early teens. My dream since I was 10 years old has been to be able to wear a bathing suit and not feel ashamed of it. Eventhough I was able to lose the weight at some point in my life, I never had a toned body. I gained some of the weight back after having my third child and I'm definetely ready to lose it and feel good about my self.

Bill Phillips and Healthy spiritual Living are knocking and I am Opening the door this time. Four years ago I bought the book “body for Life” and started the program but after 4 months I quit! There is no need to mention the long list of lame excuses that I had at that time to quit. Back then I felt strong and simply wanted to feel stronger. I guess I just had to mature a bit more to understand that growing older without taking care of the body that shelters our souls can only lead to disaster. I turned 40 this year and started to feel things I didn’t experienced before. These were the cause of not having exercised as I should have, to be able to continue to enjoy doing the things I love. So today I received Bills invitation ( I had ignored many others, sorry Bill) but this time I even called a Friend (James) and one of my brothers (Alan) to invite them to join the experience. I may call Another friend ( Gordon) but he is attending school and having a full time job, so who know what he will say. I guess I didn’t want to do this alone but now that I see all the participation and words of encouragement by all of you, I know I will be able to find the inspiration and motivation to finish the challenge, even if James Alan and Gordon decide it is not the right time for them to join… I am taking the challenge!.. So here we GO! Who I am: I enjoy the goodness of life. I enjoy being with family and friends. I enjoy living an honest life following basic principles to be a more caring person and try to spread my blessings for others to feel as privileged as I feel. I am a very positive person who likes to turn the negative aspects of life in to something meaningful and positive. I am someone that knows something needs to be done about my health, now that I have turned 40 and don’t find myself with the physical health that I was hoping to have at this age. Therefore, the time has come to improve this aspect of my life, to feel stronger in the areas of spirituality and Healthy living, to feel challenged and motivated to know that I still have what it takes to improve my ways to reach this new goal and many others that may come after successfully following this program…And hopefully become an inspiration for my wife and others to join the journey. My purpose for taking this challenge: Two weeks ago a dear friend of mine (Murph) gave me and the rest of his group of friends and family a good wake up call. He past away from a heart attack at age 40 while taking a nap before heading back to work. As I mentioned earlier, they way I see it is that this very sad and hurtful life event has a positive side, he has inspired me to take action on things that I have been procrastinating about such as: Not having a legal will to protect my wife and family the day God decides to call me in ( Oh Yes! I am Going to heaven to be with my departed ones! haha) Also things like not eating, exercising, and resting properly and not getting in contact with God as much as I should. Today is my 12th wedding anniversary and want to still be here with my wife for many more years to come. Here is the list that I have printed to keep with me for the next 18 weeks. 1. I Want to improve my all-around Health. 2. I want to quit smoking and stop being a bad example for my nieces and nephews and other younger kids. 3. I want to feel more energetic to do more, to learn more, to live a better life along with my wife. 4. To grow more as a person, spiritually and continue to connect with honest meaningful purpose. (The Four agreements) 5. Improve my work performance and human relations. 6. Become more adventurous going places with my wife (Ale) and dog (Lola) that I’ve only dreamt about . 7. To finish this challenge of 18 weeks not just to look better but to feel better! knowing that if I was able to overcome whatever obstacle may show up during the next 18 weeks I will be able to tackle many more challenges by turning this experience into a lifetime commitment. 8. To be able to motivate others to improve their lives the same way I was taught to do it by paying it forward. 9. To Insure that, at least health wise, I will be able “to be there” to care and provide for my wife making her feel protected. 10. To get more involved with community programs not just in the US but other countries as well.

Here is my Transformation Purpose: I want to care about Life, Others, and God (not necessarily in that order). I want to LIVE instead of simply EXISTING.

It sounds like many of us have the same thinking. Showing our self's respect and honoring God are things that we sometimes take for granted or leave on the back burner. As I read, I realize that part of what is going on with me is a decay in my spiritual life. I can lose 50 LBS with diet and exercise and get rid of some of my stress, but I know that without a spiritual balance, I will gradually put it back on as I have done before. Thanks for this blog and Bill for being an instrument of God. Now I pray that everyone's words here will not be in vain, and that we take each day and thank God for his many blessings. By honoring him with the gifts and talents that he has given us, may we all go on our way respecting ourselves and others; and in return glorifying God for his handy work.

Thanks Bill for the assignment. I have read so many great responses as to Identifying Your Transformation Purpose. This is day 11 in my transformation. I truly believe that I have an opportunity to share with others. I've had to truly look inside myself and realize that it is perfectly ok to be great. To live, to prosper, to share and to love. For several years I have kept myself from achieving my best life. I know now that it is ok. This is for me why Im doing this transformation.

A Really Great Book I am reading, would be a great read for everyone here. The Shack. By William P. Young I am unable to but it down and is amazing. I have had many people tell me about how this book has changed there life. This goes hand in hand with the transformation.

"LEADERSHIP" I have been placed in leadership positions most of my life (family, career, community, friends etc). I now know that God has placed me in those spots for a reason. I have a good heart but I must admit that I've been selfish in the wrong ways these last few years. My Transformation is to get back on track. To be greatful for all that I have and thank God everyday. I must earn my positions by being the best possible leader and role model I can be. God gave me a healthy able body; the least I can do is make it a priority to workout, eat healthy and be in the best shape possible. Those around me deserve it. Heck I deserve it!

Well...I have no problem with this one Bill. I am totally and full out doing this only for my health and looks :P First my health...I had a bached up surgery in 01 and was pretty much bedfast and in pain until this past year. During this time of course I lost and gained some weight back. I was never over weight until my second marriage went bad so this is hard for me to fight. And up until this illness I have been strong and could do anything...even though I was overweight. Since 01 I have lost muscle tone and been very weak. I am building up my muscle tone and strength and really that is more important to me then even the weight loss. Although that is a great side effect and I do want that too. I began the program just 2 1/2 weeks ago and I did my before pictures that totally blew me away (bad). I had the trainer at the gym measure, weigh and do my BMI...which I wasn't suprised what so ever with that. I wasn't going to do it again until my first 4 weeks was up...I have been working out 6 days a week (I still have a love hate relationship with it) and so last night I really tracked my strength with the weights and was so happy to see that I am going up in weights. I am seeing strength...and I have been almost totally pain free the past week or so. Anyway, I went ahead and had her measure me lastnight and weighed in. I couldn't wait...because I have been seeing results in my clothes. I have lost 4.25 in. and lost 5 lbs. My perfectionistic attitude is that wasn't enough...but felt good and proud of myself that I have stayed on the food program and exercised to my fullest every day. I usually will not stick to something...and I am so proud of myself that I am and have stuck to this. That is my goal...to "stick" to it and to be strong and LOOK GOOD TOO! Thanks so much. Keri

My purpose for doing this "Be the Change" Transformation...is to heal. To heal the residue of self-loathing, self-pity, anger, jealousy and disappointment. To find my way back to fully living my life with love, passion and vibrancy...so that I may be a shining light for others. Tthat I may truly "be the change that I want to see in the world". Thanks so much Bill for this assignment. I sat in a beautiful park yesterday overlooking the ocean here in Seattle...and I asked the Universe...what is my purpose? Amazing how quickly and answer will come, when you take the time to be quiet. I'm so very grateful to "get to" live this day :-)

Well, I hate to tell you Bill, but I beat to the punch this time. I started thinking about this assignment and I started having a de ja vu moment and then I realized I ALREADY DID IT!!! I did this same assignment on my own after I completed the first assignment and posted an entry about it in my blog. I had forgotten all about it, so now, I'm taking your advice and printing it out so I can read it on a daily basis rather than pushing it away again. Here's what I wrote in my blog: Why am I doing this? So, I signed up and started my Transformation journey. I completed my first assignment and I'm ready to start working on my second assignment. I was watching a video about Transformation and I sat and wondered WHY am I doing this? Is it just so I can have a cute, fit, tone, athletic body? No, it's not. That is only one piece to the puzzle. There must be other reasons why I am choosing to do this and I believe that it's no mistake that at this point in my life I found this. I am doing this because I'm not happy with the way my life is currently going. It's not a bad life by any means, but there is nothing about it that I am passionate about, that I really love and enjoy. I just feel like I'm existing and functioning with no real purpose and that's not who I want to be. I want to be a person who is involved in the community, happy with her life and the direction it's going and excited about things to come. I don't want to just exist and function. I want to be out there helping others in so many capacities, showing others how they too can be happy and most importantly showing my own family how all of this is possible. Do I know how I'm going to get there? Not yet, but this is what the journey is all about and I am more than ready to accept it, to learn and grow and become the person I know I can be.

My purpose is to show my 13 year old daughter and nine year old son what can be done if they want something enough. My father lost his 4 year fight with cancer recently. I was his only caregiver on a daily basis for that time and it took a toll on me mentally and physically. When he passed away in May, he made sure I understood the importance of getting my life back on track. It's interesting as I reflect on that, because he was teaching and guiding me up to his last day with us. So you ask Why? because everyone from my wife, kids, father, mother, and people I come in contact with DESERVE BETTER! I can be better and fully intend on doing so. Thanks for this opportunity. Mark

The purpose of my transformation is to "get it." Physically, emotionally, Mentally, and Most importantly- Spiritually Physically (my body) First, to GIVE my life a body of distinction that I will be proud to nourish for a lifetime. Emotionally (my feelings) Second, to ELEVATE the habits necessary to "show inward tranformation" rather than promise it. Mentally (my mind) Third, to PLEDGE my focused attention to "follow through" on the "details" necessary to reach my goals in order to destroy the limitations of my disbeliefs. Spiritually (beyond myself) Finally, to ACCEPT what I can not change (I am not God), but to change what I can (while time is available) so that I may be reasonably happy in this life, but supremely happy in the next -knowing the legacy I leave behind will be the only true witness of God at work that others can see.

I have been struggling with a transformation in my life for the past several years. In 2006 I read Body for Life and started exercising regularly and went on a low carb diet and lost some weight. My Mom past away and I put back the weight. Now I am learning to live a balanced life putting Christ first as I work on the mental, physical, emotional and spiritual areas. It is a process I struggle with. Daily I encourage others, pray, read the Bible and exercise sporadically. Why do I want to Be the Change? “We please God by what we do and not only by what we believe” (James 2:24) It is an act of obedience but is also an act of worship because it proves you really love Jesus. Jesus said, “If you love me, you will obey my commandments” (John 14:15) I will be a blessing to others and spread the joy of life everywhere I go. It is what I have been called to do. One day I prayed: Lord I am willing to be willing -send me where you want me to go. He sent me back to school, now I teach boys with behavioral disorders. I prayed the prayer again and He sent me on a mission’s trip to Romania. I want to be a living testimony of following God’s will for my life and I believe he will use the Transformation to help me succeed. On the mission’s trip I gave my testimony on how God saved my life, changed me and taught me forgiveness. They could hear, feel and relate to the pain. All along I kept thinking to my self wouldn’t it be a better testimony if I was thinner and healthier knowing God is protecting and guiding me, not food? I want to Change so I can make a positive difference in many people’s lives. I work with troubled teens and need my energy, stamina, strength and agility. Every day I motivate, inspire and encourage others to be their best. What kind of testimony am I if I look the way I do? My desire is to inspire- God has given me a passion to help those who need it most but I am defeated by a lack of applying the knowledge I possess to the problems that affect my life. I fail to realize that Gods power is within me as I show my obedience to Him. If I put this knowledge into action I will defeat my self destructive ways. I want to live the life God has planned for me and to carry out the task he set before me. I desire to experience victory and a relationship with Christ the way it was meant to be. A good attitude and strong state of mind are essential for a productive, healthy body for life. God gives us strength of character, determination and perseverance to help ourselves so we may be fit to help others. I am setting an example for others and teach others with my life: by word, demeanor, love, faith and integrity (1 Tim 4:12). I have heard the challenge and it came at the God given time when I needed it most and James 1:22 tells me to act on what I hear! No more of: tomorrow I will start… Today is tomorrow!!! I love a good challenge and being able to overcome any ongoing conflict between belief and behavior is a transformation I must make. I will succeed in being a part of the change as I take the steps necessary to rid myself of the fears, self hatred, and self abuse and start following the path set before me so I may motivate others to do the same.

The purpose for my transormation is for me to continually strive to be a better me. A better mom, a better wife, a better friend, a better massage therapist, and most importantly a beter Christian. This will always be an open-ended task for I believe there isn't a best. One can always improve and strive further in one area if not another. I am just glad that I am now finding the courage move onward.

Romans 12: 1-2 "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."