My Journey Through the 7 Principles: How I Lived My Book to Find My Purpose

Have you ever felt stuck? Like you’re going through the motions, living out a story that someone else wrote for you? For twenty-five years, that was me. I was so busy pursuing the visions and goals of others that I had completely lost track of my own. If you’re feeling that way right now, I want you to know something: you are not alone, and it is never too late to find your way back to you.

The 7 Principles in my book, Progress Towards Purpose, aren’t just theories I came up with. They are the bedrock of my own journey, the very steps God guided me through on an accelerated path to purpose. Today, I want to pull back the curtain and share a piece of my story with you—not just the highlights, but the real, raw, and redemptive moments that shaped this curriculum.

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Breaking the Standstill (Principle One: Education)

My journey truly began in 2017. After decades, I committed to something just for me: a Wellness Coaching Certification at George Mason University. I was learning how to coach others, but really, I was learning how to listen to myself again. During one practice session, a peer asked me two simple questions that shattered my world: “What are your long-term goals?” and “Are you on track to accomplish them?” The answer was a resounding no. I left that session in tears, but they were tears of awakening. I had been in stasis, and for the first time in a long time, I was determined to move. That decision to learn, to grow, and to seek was the first crack of light in a life that had become too comfortable in the dark.

The Courage to Pivot (Principle Two: Career)

That awakening led to a monumental career change in 2019. After 29 years, the Lord uprooted me from an entrepreneurial venture that had consumed me. It was a business that trained me, challenged me, and generated significant revenue, but it also left me asking the hard questions: What am I truly here for? What has all this been leading to? What am I uniquely sculpted for? I had to lay all my options on the table and ask God to illuminate the path that was truly mine. It was terrifying to let go of the identity I had built for nearly three decades, but maximizing your options sometimes means being willing to pivot away from a success that is no longer serving your soul’s purpose.

The Rebellion of a Neglected Body (Principle Three: Health and Well-Being)

By 2020, the anxiety of such a massive life shift began to take its toll. I started dealing with serious physical and emotional health challenges. For decades, I had prioritized work and service over my own wellness, rewarding myself with fast food and chocolate and neglecting regular exercise. My body finally rebelled. I spent time in emergency rooms and discovered the worlds of physical therapy and psychotherapy. How many of you know that feeling? When your body finally sends you a bill for years of neglect? I had to learn to pursue wholeness, not as a luxury, but as a necessity. I joined a gym, changed my eating habits, and began the slow, steady work of caring for myself.

Remembering Who I Belong To (Principle Four: Self-Esteem)

With the career change and health scares, my self-esteem took a nosedive. I doubted every life choice I’d made. I looked in the mirror and didn’t like the woman staring back at me. Was I worth the effort to rebuild? In those low moments, my faith was the anchor that held me. I clung to my daily devotionals, filled my ears with gospel music during my workouts, and let the Sunday morning ministries remind me of a truth I had forgotten: I was a child of the King of Kings. Knowing your worth isn’t about what you’ve accomplished; it’s about knowing who you are and whose you are. That truth was my lifeline.

Finding My People (Principle Five: Relationships)

As I rebuilt, I learned the critical importance of seeking wise counsel. I surrounded myself with healthy friends and family who could support the path I was on. Just as importantly, I had to make some difficult disconnects. I distanced myself from relationships that were toxic, that couldn’t understand my journey, or that weren’t encouraging me to pursue wholeness and reach my full potential. This wasn’t easy, but it was essential. Your circle can either be a cage or a launchpad. I chose to build a launchpad.

The Thread That Ties It All Together (Principle Six: Spirituality)

You’ll notice that Spirituality is the principle at the very center of my book. That’s because, for me, it was the one constant that intersected and was intertwined with everything else. Throughout my entire journey—the career crisis, the health scares, the crisis of confidence—I was consistently seeking restoration, guidance, and peace from God. This wasn’t just one part of my life; it was the very source of my strength to navigate all the other parts.

Clarity, Not Control (Principle Seven: Purpose)

The most critical relationship, the wisest counsel I could ever hope for, was with God. By 2021, I had learned how to listen. As my connection with Him was rejuvenated, my path became clearer. It was scary. I had to surrender my plans, release my grip on control, and simply stay aligned with the messages He was sending me—through my daughter, my dreams, my friends, and even strangers. He didn’t promise me control. He promised me clarity. Almost like a GPS, He would give me the next small step, and I learned to take it with faith and hope. And with each step, He confirms that I am walking in my purpose.

That’s my story. It’s a story of breaking, healing, and rebuilding. It’s the story that taught me these seven truths:

• Principle One: Education – Avoid Stasis – Never stop learning, growing, and seeking.

• Principle Two: Career – Maximize Your Options — Be willing to pivot.

• Principle Three: Health and Well-Being – Pursue Wholeness – Always care for yourself.

• Principle Four: Self-Esteem — Know Your Worth – Know who you are and whose you are.

• Principle Five: Relationships — Seek Wise Counsel – Surround yourself with those who care.

• Principle Six: Spirituality — The Answer to It All — Build your spiritual growth and connection.

• Principle Seven: Purpose – The Why of It – There is a reason for it all, and ultimately God will show it to you.

If any part of my story resonates with you, I want you to know that your journey to purpose is waiting. It may not be easy, but it is worth it. If you’re ready to take that first step, I invite you to explore the Progress Towards Purpose devotional curriculum. It’s the guide I wish I’d had, and it’s the community I’m building for you.