Life. The Struggle Within (AuthorHouse, July 2007)

Has there ever been a time when you simply wanted to get off the high-speed train of life and take a much-needed break? Maybe you find yourself running on life’s performance treadmill more than you can possibly bear, yet relief always seems to be an arm’s length away from reality.

Everyone struggles with life, and no matter who you are or where you come from, this book is sure to reveal genuine hope to you regardless of your race, gender, culture, creed or religion. Are you willing to be honest with yourself, even if you can’t be honest with others?

Life often seems to be as much a struggle as it is a gift, while pressure to answer the one question every human soul desires to understand continues to hang over your head-what is the purpose of my life? Do opinions matter when it comes to climbing out of the lonely hole of despair? Are there lessons to be learned from generational mistakes, selfish choices, or a determined mind?

Many people have motivated us for a moment through big smiles and charisma, however genuine hope has not been found in them. Have you found yourself listening to yet another lullaby of pleasantries, good ideas or trendy rhetoric? Life. The Struggle Within chronicles the daily struggles of both men and women alike. Finally, someone said it out loud, and it’s no mistake that you are holding this book right now.

Be encouraged!

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Love Handles.

Speaker. Mentor. Podcaster

Don’t look down. You may realize there is either more or less of you to love than you last remember. When were the last time you walked through a shopping mall or department store? It’s interesting what happens when you find yourself in familiar territory, yet the sting of reality always finds a way to remind you of flaws you worked so hard to forget.

Life has an interesting way of treating everyone like a transactional shopping experience. If you’re anything like me, you’ll go into battle focused with a clear-cut exit strategy. On the other hand, many others experience ups and downs of relationships, broken promises, and false perceptions much like designer jeans, sale items and the lie that one size fits all.

By now, you might be wondering what this is all about, and it’s precisely that question that has awakened the restlessness of your soul. Just when you thought everything was getting better, and starting to look up—BAM, the Jaws of Life grip down on your personal space in unimaginable ways of discomfort.

What would it be like if you entrusted your secrets to someone, yet that person felt at liberty to share that information with anyone who would listen? Maybe you ran off and got married because you were convinced that would stop your manipulating partner from repeatedly disrespecting you in front of others, yet it didn’t. Maybe you’ve struggled in secret with your weight and there was nothing more important to you than to be accepted by others—literally anyone.Catch Me

The love you once remembered experiencing through frequent smiles has left your cheeks hurting from sheer joy, and has now vanished as quickly as vapor. Somewhere in the process of shopping for a replacement boyfriend, girlfriend, or spouse, you began to stuff your pain deep within the floorboards of your heart. At this point, you swore allegiance to self, and that no one would ever discover your true pain. Having consulted with self, this strategy appeared flawless because your reputation was paramount, your popularity was vital (yet temporary at best), and your perceived appearance was as convincingly delusional as Miley Cyrus inability to accept wise counsel.

1 Corinthians 13:4-8a, “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always perseveres. Love never fails.” (NIV)

Now it’s time to ask the question you’ve been dying to know, and it’s not, “What is love?”, rather, “Who is love?” Truth is not relative, nor does it mask itself behind persuasive arguments or professionals with highly skilled vocabularies. Will the thing you’ve come to understand as love, ultimately stand up to the test of eternity? Have you ever taken time to think about the depth of your version of love? Is your love proud, arrogant, manipulative, self-seeking of attention, or rude in anyway? Does the person you’re in love with share a transparent commitment to genuine love as previously described, or are you both merely focused on satisfying your fantasies in bed, or even perhaps the idea of playing house as a pretend spouse?

Listen—life is short; there is neither discussion nor debating that fact. Everyone has a story, which is at best, unfinished. Let’s get the story straight once and for all: love is not merely a feeling. I’m just one man making a difference in the lives of those who will give me the time of day. I may not know your personal story, but I would like to. In all you do, please don’t miss my point—true love handles all your pain and struggles, and gives you something your best attempts never could—Peace.

Until next time, Be encouraged.

 


I speak to hundreds of thousands of young adults, men, women, and couples annually on leadership, decision making, and relationships.  Sometimes life has a way of being the antidote to life itself. If you’d like more information on this topic or how to bring me in as a speaker for your next event, please  contact me.

In the meantime, I encourage you to subscribe to my Tribe/Newsletter on my homepage. Post your comment below, Share my blogs with your friends on social media, and visit my website often for daily inspiration.


 

Egypt McKee

Speaker | Author | TV Host | Life Coach

©2009-2015 Copyright, Egypt McKee. All Rights Reserved.

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What Were You Thinking?

Speaker. Mentor. Podcaster

Long before the question was asked, life seemed so predictable, peaceful, and even simple. The war that was about to ensue was neither wished for nor anticipated. The art of shock and awe has long thrived upon the mastery of surprise and diversion, yet your ability to comprehend will be far outweighed by emotions of betrayal, disgust and shame.

Up until now, the road of life has offered numerous curves, turns and twists, yet logic would never include an option for delusions of grandeur. Maybe, I could’ve done something different—you think to yourself; yet the burden you feel is vaguely reminiscent of a silhouette for logic and reason. Nevertheless, a Grand Canyon sized hole in your heart is all that remains visible in the pile of ash from deeds performed in secret.

A long list of questions can simply be consolidated into one—What were you thinking? The profound nature of the response is only surpassed by the actions themselves. Life in rewind reveals details once covered up in denial and enabled in bliss. Regardless of the circumstance, the pain of betrayal will not soon be forgotten.

What were you thinking

The long series of events can be found embedded in the character of its actors, yet the outcome will determine victory or failure. The shock and awe phase is merely the perverted reward for the performance of the participants. Are you kidding me? I didn’t ask for this and I don’t deserve this! That may very well be true, but please remember that resolve as you continue reading.

1 Thessalonians 4:3-4, “It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable.” (NIV)

Many people have asked me, “How can I ever recover from my boyfriend, girlfriend, or spouse from having cheated on me?” I’ve long since come to understand this to be code language for, “Is there any hope for me and will I ever be ok again?” Regardless of how you ask the question, the answer is YES—there is genuine hope and recovery for you.

By the way, have you ever considered performing an in-depth inventory of all your relationships? Are you sure you haven’t turned a blind eye to a series of covert threats that have been marginalized as acceptable values over a period of time?

I’ve never heard a young woman say to me, “My dream is to someday be married to a man who belittles me all the time and makes me feel insignificant. I also want him to be committed only on his terms, because a man can’t love just one woman—and I don’t want to interrupt his time with his friends just so he can help me put our children to bed.” Yet the reality is widespread in that so many women have ransomed their virginity to move in with their boyfriends to “play house” as if to pretend that is an acceptable replacement for a genuine marriage commitment. Listen, relationships based upon real commitment have no “Get out free” clause.

On the other hand, the self inflicted wounds of the emotional disrespect of women and young women alike has left many opportunistic men convinced that a female’s name begins with “B” and ends with “itch.” Sadly, this tragic state of mind is responsible for endorsing countless catfights, backseat encounters and rumors of supremacy.

If truth really mattered, then the words, “I’m sorry” would take on a whole new meaning of relevancy in a court of law where the act was punished rather than the actor. Threats once marginalized as harmless and acceptable will no longer be tolerated when the pieces of your life are restored once again. The old signs bearing your name as naive, gullible, or blind will soon be replaced with warnings and a security perimeter of protection for the one thing you cannot afford to ever lose again—Peace.

Listen—sex addiction and sensual influences in life is a real threat to genuine relationships. You might be under attack right now in your mind and heart, and feel too ashamed to admit it or move forward? I want to give you an opportunity to take a first step toward a new life of freedom regardless of how much it hurts to recognize it.

No one is immune to the human condition, better known as life. I assure you this, you are not alone, and you certainly are not the only person skilled in misery, failure, or brokenness. Maybe it’s your turn to break the cycle today by sharing your story with someone who cares—Me.

Until next time, Be encouraged.

 


I speak to hundreds of thousands of young adults, men, women, and couples annually on leadership, decision making, and relationships.  Sometimes life has a way of being the antidote to life itself. If you’d like more information on this topic or how to bring me in as a speaker for your next event, please  contact me.

In the meantime, I encourage you to subscribe to my Tribe/Newsletter on my homepage. Post your comment below, Share my blogs with your friends on social media, and visit my website often for daily inspiration.


 

Egypt McKee

Speaker | Author | TV Host | Life Coach

©2009-2018 Copyright, Egypt McKee. All Rights Reserved.

Life Book_READ IT

 

Word for the Day!

I encourage you to remember the importance of Discretion today. I hope you’ll enjoy this short video and will go out of your way to share with your your family, friends, and colleagues.

 

 

Until next time, Be encouraged.

 


I speak to hundreds of thousands of young adults, men, women, and couples annually on leadership, decision making, and relationships.  Sometimes life has a way of being the antidote to life itself. If you’d like more information on this topic or how to bring me in as a speaker for your next event, please  contact me.

In the meantime, I encourage you to subscribe to my Tribe/Newsletter on my homepage. Post your comment below, Share my blogs with your friends on social media, and visit my website often for daily inspiration.


 

Egypt McKee

Speaker | Author | TV Host | Life Coach

©2014 Copyright, Egypt McKee. All Rights Reserved.

Life Book_READ IT