Book Review: Cure for the Common Life

So I've finished the book Cure for the Common Life: Living in Your Sweet Spot by Max Lucado. I would rate it a 9 out of 10 but wouldn't recommend it for someone who isn't looking for a little personal growth.

The main idea of the book is that we all are put here on earth for a purpose and once we take the time to figure out what that purpose is and begin living in it, we will be living in our "sweet spot". What I liked most about this book is that it doesn't just talk about the subject, it also gives new ideas of how to see things and also walks you through the indicators of what your purpose is. There is even some "homework" in the back of the book that if you go through the step-by-step process, it will assist in making your sweet spot clear.

One of the things Lucado writes about is how we were designed for our unique purpose. Designed by God, of course. But that there are indicators of what life we are supposed to lead from very early on in our lives. Personally, I found a trend that since 5th grade I have enjoyed being in the front, leading and teaching. And I love to do those things in new and innovative ways. Helping to lead Sunday school as a little girl to kids that were younger than me, teaching leadership classes to my peers and eventually my Marines, speaking at a Christmas dinner in front of all the folks in our office including the executives and spouses to explain to them the history of Toys for Tots, teaching kindergarten aged girls lessons as Missionettes, leading the Girls Night Out events as the director of the women's ministries back in Cali. These are all examples that came to mind when I went through the writing process at the end of the book. In each of these scenarios I was living in my sweet spot...these times in my life thrilled me...I felt more "alive" than ever...I could never understand why others didn't like to do those things. And lastly, they were all successful situations.

So when you figure out where your gifts are...and when you have been successful at using those gifts...then you have to figure out how to use those gifts in a successful way that is for the purpose of lifting up Christ, honoring God. After all, the bottom line is that we are ALL here to for a purpose that only God has in mind. It is up to us to figure out the what, where, how and with who questions along with the question about how can I use this gift to be a cheerleader for God?

As a mom, this also makes me look at my kids. What gifts are they already showing signs of having? What is it that they do that seems to make them the happiest and where they are the most comfortable. Instead of me trying to make them be something that I want them to be, I need to be careful that I am allowing them to be who they are designed to be, which is really not likely to be anything like me! :-) Not too long ago I started honing in on this concept as I focused on the need to help Mario channel some of his social behavior. Here is a kid who has a huge heart, who is able to discern things about people without ever having a conversation with them, and who absolutely loves to have face-to-face interaction with folks. He has been that way since he was able to walk (and that started early - he was 9 months old when he started to walk!)

I remember when we started attending the church back in Cali how he knew so many people's names, even as a little guy, and EVERYONE seemed to know who he was. He would call people by their first names and go from person to person giving great big bear hugs around their legs because he was so small. Very early on one of the women in the church nicknamed him "Hallelujah" and still calls him that to this day. I think of the time at a pool when a very shady looking character who was outwardly rude and crabby whom I was concerned about the kids interacting with but by the time we were leaving Mario was sitting by him at the hot tub, having a great conversation and they were laughing together. He was maybe 7 years old then. In response to Mario's gifts and passion for personal relationships about two months ago I made arrangements for him to work with the greeters at church to help welcome people to our church and to get to know people, while at the same time learning (I hope) valuable lessons about the importance of serving in the church.

LaNece, on the other hand, is a bit more reserved but has ALWAYS seemed to be a magnet for kids. Babies and even older kids have always been drawn to her and she has consistently demonstrated her ability to positively influence and encourage them. She has two things that stick out for her; 1) the influence with children, and 2) she is unbelievably talented in the area of drawing, creativity and basically anything artsy. She has a desire to be a 2nd grade school teacher and has also dabbled with the idea of being an interior decorator. Believe me, she astonishes me every time she finds a new way to set her room up...and that is often. For now, she is in the normal rotation for working with the children at church. And like today, even when she isn't working back there, at the end of service she still goes back to say hello to her little friends. :-)

And so what about me? Am I currently living in my sweet spot? Well, I love what I do but I wouldn't call it my sweet spot. However, before going through this book I never realized that teaching / leading / being out in front was a sweet spot for me. I have to laugh about how God orchestrates things though. You see, this test that I've been talking about taking to get my certification...it is to be the Principal Trainer for a new system we are putting into the hospital. He is putting me in my sweet spot...now I have a little bit of a different perspective on this new job. I will do my best...but do it with a new zeal...and I will somehow use it to be a cheerleader for God. And I'll have a smile on my face when I do it because I will be living in my sweet spot.

The cure for the common life...my sweet spot. I recommend the book...but be ready for an eye opening outcome...

If you choose to read it, I'd love to hear your feedback! :-)