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The last STEPS Journey Blog article gave an outline for “Writing Your Life Story” to deal with the issues or problems you may be facing. And develop a happy and satisfied lifestyle at the same time.
This article will help you go further―to actually living your life story―by providing more detail on what to do and how to do it. Starting today.
Why is living your life story so important?
So you can improve emotionally, spiritually, and personally and grow closer to God. And learn to handle any problems that are part of your story, such as dealing with stress, depression, addiction, or other issues you may face. That’s a pretty strong “Why.”
Two acronyms can help us remember the “What” and the “How.”
The first is “P-A-C-E-S” which is what we do to develop a wellness lifestyle: Being Proactive, Greater Awareness, Positive Connection, Life Management Education, and Next Right Steps.
The “How” is in the “S-T-E-P-S” of Surrender, Transformation, Empathy, Progress, and Service.
Being Proactive
Be intentional developing a positive lifestyle emotionally, spiritually, and personally.
- Surrender: Surrender your will to God and make choices based on faith and courage.
- Examples: Purposefully seek God’s direction; establish a wellness-based lifestyle; study God’s promises; change your perspective by writing down a hopeful vision for the future; use the Serenity Prayer; do the next right thing.
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Greater Awareness
Exercise self-awareness and self-control and keep taking the next right step.
- Transformation: Humbly admit your mistakes and make positive changes in your life.
- Examples: Take a personal inventory; count the cost of your actions; practice your self-awareness; identify your idols; write down your resentments; assess your trajectory in life; manage your self-talk; admit your mistakes promptly.
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Positive Connection
Share with someone in a vulnerable way and continue connecting with others.
- Empathy: Seek forgiveness and invest in good relationships.
- Examples: Make amends; have deeper conversations; practice empathetic listening; devote time to relationships; become more transparent with others; find an accountability partner or life coach; see a counselor or pastor; join a recovery group.
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Life Management Education
Develop good habits and coping skills to live well one day at a time.
- Progress: Spend time every day in prayer and meditation.
- Examples: Hold a morning quiet time; conduct a daily inventory; establish accountability for your habits; understand your triggers and warning signs; use the power of the pause to interrupt the cycle; learn better coping skills; utilize the STEPS each day.
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Next Right Steps
Build a personal life plan to move toward meaning and purpose.
- Service: Serve as an example and add value to the lives of others.
- Examples: Create a life plan; set positive goals for the future; commit to working through these phases for 1 of your issues; find significance in serving others; start serving the people around you; commit to a service project; look for divine appointments.
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Going through the PACES will help you in living your life story. And the STEPS show you how to move forward, one day at a time. Because life is a journey, and God is your guide.
Question: Are you willing to use the STEPS to improve your life and grow closer to God?
Action: Start with 1 issue you have in your life, and work through the phases above.
Photo by Bùi Việt Trung 
Photo by pat00139
