One of my favorite parts of my spiritual practices for starting each day is reading from an assortment of inspirational and spiritual books. I keep a stack of them next to my bed. Three of the books that I make it a point to read from every morning are:

* A Deep Breath of Life by Alan Cohen - I'm on my sixth year of reading this set of daily devotionals.

* The Essene Book of Days by Danaan Parry -- I believe I'm on my 3rd year of reading this one.

* The current issue of Science of Mind Magazine - I've been reading it daily for about 3 years.

Today, I found that the themes from these 3 books blended together in an interesting way. The theme of Cohen's message was to embrace the 'Peace of God.' From The Essene Book of Days was the theme of 'Sharing,' and Science of Mind's daily message was about God's Perfection which resides within each of us. Thus, the theme for my walking meditation around Bonclarken Lake this morning was 'Sharing the Peace of God and God's Perfection.' May we all take a deep breath of life that becomes possible from living that theme this day.

2005 Brad Swift of Life On Purpose Institute, Inc. This article can be reprinted freely online, as long as the entire article and this resource box are included.

Brad Swift

As a writer, I've written well over 300 magazine articles for a diverse assortment of magazines including Omni, Entrepreneur, New Age Journal, Yoga Journal, Utne Reader, Unity Magazine, Better Homes and Garden, Modern Maturity, and many others. I'm also a regular contributor to Veterinary Economics. (Yes, I still have a special place in my heart for animals.) My books include, WINNING THROUGH COACHING: Building Your Business Through Building Your Team and TRAVELING THE PURPOSEFUL PATH ? 6 Passages to an Inspired Life on Purpose.

As a public speaker, I lead programs on life purpose that are customized to fit such diverse groups as churches, spiritual centers, civic and professional organizations. The principles of these programs are also available in the 12-week teleclass, Living the Fulfilled Life. From these programs participants bring more focus to their life, experience a renewed sense of fulfillment, and lighten up and have more fun. Out of this focus, fulfillment, and fun emerges an ability to maintain balance in their life and a deeper appreciation for living.

One of my all time favorite ways of expressing my purpose is as a life purpose coach. I find the intimacy and creativity of one-on-one coaching to be a breathtaking experience. The select group of people who are my clients are very special to me, and with them I am constantly creating new facets of life purpose coaching that are then incorpoated into the other programs.

In short, the focus of my life is life purpose. From living on purpose, I've been blessed with an extraordinary life in which I am satisfied and fulfilled. My wife, Ann, and I share our redwood chalet home in the "Paradise Found" of the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina with our daughter, Amber, and a menagerie of purposeful and playful pets.