On Becoming a Visionary Author

I became an avid reader of fantasy and science fiction as an eleven-year-old boy when my next-door neighbor, who was a children’s librarian, took pity on my single-parent mom. Bored out of my gourd with no one to play with but good ‘ol mom, I drove her crazy until Mrs. Crabtree brought home a stack of books she knew would hook a young boy and give my mom some relief. It worked. I’ve been hooked ever since.

For the past two decades I’ve been conducting an experiment. Is it possible to create a new context for my life that I feel is “divinely inspired” and true to my deepest values, my sense of what’s possible, and true to my soul and spirit? If it is possible, what will be the results? Will it enhance my life? Will I experience a true sense of purpose and meaning? Will I know at the end of the experiment that my life has mattered?

Becoming a writer of visionary fiction and non-fiction has been an integral part of this experiment, as was co-founding Life On Purpose Institute with my wife in 1996, being a coach to assist others to create their own life on purpose experiment, and training other Life On Purpose Coaches.

Since selling my veterinary practice in the late 80’s to pursue a career as a writer and life coach, I’ve published over 350 magazine articles in such publications as Family Fun, Boys’ Life, Body and Soul (then New Age Journal), Yoga Journal, and Better Homes and Garden, to mention just a few. Many of these have been part of my pet writing project: Project Purpose: to write and publish articles about people whose lives are dedicated to a bold and inspiring purpose or vision.

From magazine writing, it was a natural next step to graduate to writing books, starting with visionary nonfiction — books that engage and encourage while also entertaining. So far this includes:

• Life On Purpose: Six Passages to an Inspired Life, (Book 1 of the Life On Purpose Series)
• From Spark to Flame: Fanning Your Passion & Ideas into Money-making Magazine Articles that Make a Difference.
• Spiral of Fulfillment: Living a Life of Service, Simplicity & Spiritual Serenity (Book 2 of the Life On Purpose Series)
• Clarity of Purpose: Don’t Live Life without It (Part of the Life On Purpose Special Report Series)
• Coaching to Win (my first visionary nonfiction book currently being revised and updated for future release)

Then there are some dreams that hang around and won’t go away, no matter how many time you push them to the back burner. That’s the case with the dream that began as a eleven-year-old boy. That’s where the other half of the equation comes in — visionary fiction — stories that, first and foremost, entertain while also enlightening and encouraging the reader to embrace greater possibilities in their lives. This category includes:

  • Dominion Over All, published in the summer of 2001, is a transformational fantasy for the young adult market. It combines my love for fantasy with my passion and love for animals, as demonstrated by my past career as a small animal veterinarian.
  • Seeds of a New Birth — a most adult SF techno-thriller explores what happens when genetic engineering combines with rampant greed — will be released before the end of this year (2011).

And of course I love to read as well as write. A few of my all time favorites are:

• Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card
• Boy’s Life by Robert McCammon
• Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen, and
• The Name of the Wind: The Kingkiller Chronicle: Day One by Patrick Rothfuss

To name a few.

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Become a Citizen of Who-ville

Written on May 4, 2012 by in Purposeful Ponderings

This past March 2nd was Dr. Seuss’s birthday. He would have been 108 years old this year.  So, I thought it appropriate to spend a little time reading one of my favorite Dr. Seuss’s books — Horton Hears a Who.  After all, I’ve been feeling a little like a citizen from Who-ville lately, so I…

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Being coached by Brad  through the Life on Purpose process has truly been life-changing. Not only did he help me to gain crystal clarity about my life purpose, he helped me to uncover what had been holding me back for much of my life. Through the coaching, I became clear about what was the next step that I wanted to take in my life.

My life has gotten better in many ways as a result of the coaching: the major anxiety that I experienced around my work is a thing of the past – I learned why I was experiencing this anxiety, and then how to overcome it and I can’t believe how effective it was.

I have been able to establish a habit of taking daily time for myself to reconnect with what’s truly important – this is something that I had tried and failed to do for 10 years beforehand, so I am so happy to have been able to achieve this.

I have been experiencing so many more feelings of joy, happiness and abundance since the programme, and life is just so much better. From Jonathan Dudley — a 30 year old IT Professional (turning Life Coach).

“I had always felt like I was not living up to my potential and that there was something more to life- something more I “should be doing”. What I discovered was that what I thought my life purpose was actually my parents/culture’s idea of what I should be- not mine! This was transformational and allowed me to finally decide for myself, based on my own passions, my true purpose. My Divine Purpose is now conscious and drives all decisions and choices I make in my everyday life.” Julie Chapman after clarifying her life purpose through the On Purpose Program at her spiritual center.

“I am just so delighted with everything you, this course, and the Life on Purpose Institute has given/provided to me.  Thank you, SO very, very much.

“I have finished working through your book. It has been a very enjoyable and revealing process. My life on purpose is a life of freedom rooted in wholeness, beauty, truth, order and love. A life of worship, inspired action and full self-expression.

I was especially excited when you spoke about the Purposeful Project.  Wow, what a great idea!  How to get people out in the world being their true, serviceful selves.  I say serviceful because I have an inkling that even if someone doesn’t consider their life purpose to be one of service, or see that as a value of theirs, I don’t see how anyone couldn’t be of service to the world if they are living their purpose out loud.” Peggy Vervalin who clarified her life purpose in Living the Fulfilled Life teleclass.

Immediately I got my final wording sorted it ‘clicked’ it fits like a glove. I have such clarity, it has been great for examining my behaviors and how I relate to others, and for helping me to make quality decisions. I had so many synchronicities in the following days after clarifying my life purpose and continue to do so. A sure sign that I am on my path and that is very fulfilling, even without taking into account my planned purpose projects.

My self-esteem has received a huge boost. I am delighted that I committed and persevered. And one of the lessons God has been bringing to my attention is that ‘commitment and perseverance bring their own reward, a reward that can come no other way’. Which will stand me in good stead as I live out this purpose.

I look at my life purpose and it is truly the essence of me, and the essence of the possibilities I see for others and the world we live in.” Jayne from the United Kingdom

I’m Jude Eastman in Virginia.  I’m a reading specialist and teacher.  I’m also a life and soul coachJudeeastman.

My original Life on Purpose work in 2006-2007 helped me figure out who I was and wanted to BE after losing my parents and my marriage.  I am happy to say that I realized I am  the only one who has the power to decide my place in the world or my worth and I’m pretty dog gone priceless!  After that I soared -completing a master degree, taking a new job position in my teaching career, and completing coach training.

Recently I was ready to push forward in my second profession as a coach.  The Staying on Purpose group helped me accomplish what I’ve been talking about for three years!  I now have my first coaching workshop on the books, conducted a conference call, picked up some new technology skills.  I found out that doing new things doesn’t have to be stressful, but can be fun and I’m in control of that!

Thanks Brad for keeping me motivated and accountable  in such a heart felt way that was both challenging and safe at the same time!