Lessons from the book "How To Read A Person Like A Book" By Gerard I. Nierenberg and Henry H. Calero

 Lessons from the book "How To Read A Person Like A Book" By Gerard I. Nierenberg and Henry H. Calero

1. Non-verbal communication is just as important as verbal communication: The book emphasizes that people convey a wealth of information through body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice. Understanding and interpreting these non-verbal cues can provide insight into a person's true thoughts and feelings.

2. Pay attention to the "clusters" of non-verbal signals: The authors stress the importance of looking for patterns and clusters of non-verbal cues rather than focusing on individual gestures. For example, if a person is crossing their arms, frowning, and avoiding eye contact, it may indicate discomfort or defensiveness.

3. Context matters: The book repeatedly emphasizes the importance of considering the specific situation and environment when interpreting non-verbal cues. A gesture or expression may have different meanings depending on the cultural background, personal history, and the context in which it occurs.

4. Develop your observation skills: To read a person like a book, one must sharpen their observation skills. The book provides practical exercises and tips to enhance one's ability to notice and interpret non-verbal cues accurately.

5. Avoid making assumptions: The authors caution against jumping to conclusions based solely on non-verbal cues. It is essential to gather additional information and avoid stereotyping or judging individuals solely based on their non-verbal behavior.

6. Adapt your communication style: By observing and interpreting a person's non-verbal signals, you can adjust your own communication style to enhance the interaction. For example, if someone seems hesitant or uncomfortable, you can offer reassurance or adjust your approach to make them feel more at ease.

7. Understand your own non-verbal cues: Developing self-awareness is crucial to effectively reading others. The book encourages readers to reflect on their own non-verbal behavior and how it may be perceived by others. By understanding the impact of one's own cues, it becomes easier to interpret and respond to others' signals.

8. Practice empathy: The authors emphasize the importance of empathy when reading people. This involves putting yourself in the other person's shoes, considering their perspective, and understanding their emotions. Empathy allows for a deeper understanding of non-verbal cues and better communication overall.

9. Maintain an open-minded attitude: Reading others involves being open to different interpretations and perspectives. The book encourages readers to remain flexible in their observations and interpretations, understanding that non-verbal cues can be multifaceted and nuanced.

10. Continuously refine your skills: Reading people is a skill that can be honed through practice and experience. The book encourages readers to continually refine their observation and interpretation abilities, acknowledging that understanding non-verbal communication is an ongoing learning process.

How to Make Decisions or Choose Between Different Options

 

 

In our everyday lives, we face lots of choices, big and small. It's common for us to wonder, "Is this what God wants for me?" We all go through moments where we're not sure if our decisions match up with what God has in mind. These choices, whether they're about important stuff or everyday things, make us think about a bigger picture. We want to make sure that what we do lines up with what God wants for us, the optimum decision. These pointers can help you navigate through that journey.

Pray and Seek God's Will:
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV) - "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."
Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV) Do not be anxious about anything

What does the Bible Say About it?
2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV) - "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."
Psalm 119:105 (NIV) - "Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path."

John 14:15 (NIV) - "If you love me, keep my commands."

Consult with Wise Counsel:
Proverbs 15:22 (NIV) - "Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers, they succeed."

Proverbs 19:20 (NIV) - "Listen to advice and accept discipline, and at the end, you will be counted among the wise."

Examine the Motives:
Proverbs 16:2 (NIV) - "All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord."

Are you experiencing Fruit of the Spirit or does it bring out its elements?
Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV) - "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things, there is no law."
You may have heard it being mentioned that experiencing peace is a way of confirming a decision. This is backed by Colossians 3:15 (NIV) - "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful."

Trust in God's Sovereignty:
Romans 8:28 (NIV) - "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

Practice humility even as we try navigate through the decision making process:
Proverbs 22:4 (NIV) - "Humility is the fear of the Lord; its wages are riches and honor and life."

Dreams and Visions:
Joel 2:28 (NIV) - "And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions."

Circumstances and Doors Opening or Closing:
Have you have heard someone saying that, 'I could have been one of those...' Proverbs 16:9 (NIV) - "In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps."
If you are working with God and a door closes, be grateful! There is one that is opening. You have no ideas why it closed and what you were being protected from!.


Happy decision making!

As You Transition to 2024

As we stride into the dawn of a new year, it's natural to pause, reflect, and set intentions for the journey ahead. While resolutions often center on personal growth, professional aspirations, or material achievements, it's equally crucial to consider the more profound aspects of our lives. Here, we delve into five essential areas where a watchful eye and deliberate action can foster spiritual, physical, and emotional well-being as we traverse the uncharted territory of the coming months.

Watch on Your Spiritual Life: Amidst the hustle and bustle of daily life, it's easy to lose sight of our spiritual well-being. Whether you find solace in prayer, meditation, or introspection, dedicating time to nurture your spiritual self can provide grounding and perspective. Set aside moments each day for quiet reflection, connect with a supportive community of faith, or explore new avenues of spiritual growth. Cultivating a deeper understanding of your beliefs and values can guide you through life's challenges and imbue each day with purpose and meaning.

Watch on Your Health: Our bodies are temples deserving of care and respect. As we embark on a new year, prioritize your health by adopting habits that nourish your physical well-being. This might include embracing a balanced diet, engaging in regular exercise, getting ample rest, and attending to any medical concerns. Listen to your body's signals, and honor its need for rest, movement, and nourishment. By investing in your health today, you pave the way for vitality and vitality in the days to come.

Watch on Your Relationships: Human connection is the bedrock of our emotional landscape. Take stock of your relationships—both platonic and romantic—and consider how they contribute to your overall happiness and fulfillment. Nurture supportive connections, communicate openly and honestly, and seek resolution in conflicts or misunderstandings. Remember to forge new connections with kindness and empathy, embracing the diversity of experiences and perspectives that enrich our lives. As you enter the new year, invest in the relationships that bring you joy and considerate steps to mend or release those that no longer serve your growth.

Go for a Retreat (Look Back & Plan): In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, it's easy to lose sight of the bigger picture. Take time to retreat from the noise and distractions of daily life, allowing yourself space for reflection and rejuvenation. Look back on the past year with gratitude and introspection—celebrate your achievements, acknowledge your challenges, and glean lessons from both. Armed with this insight, set intentions and goals for the year ahead, crafting a roadmap that aligns with your values and aspirations. Whether it's a weekend getaway, a solitary retreat in nature, or a quiet evening at home, honor your need for solitude and reflection as you chart your course for the future.

Share the Love with Someone: Love is a currency that grows with every expenditure. As you step into the new year, make a conscious effort to spread love and kindness wherever you go. Whether it's a heartfelt conversation, a random act of kindness, or a simple gesture of appreciation, each interaction has the power to uplift and inspire. Extend compassion to those in need, lend a listening ear to a friend in distress, and celebrate the triumphs and joys of those around you. In a world that often feels fraught with division and discord, choose love as your guiding principle and watch as it ripples outward, touching hearts and transforming lives.

In the tapestry of life, each new year offers a fresh canvas upon which to paint our dreams, aspirations, and intentions. By watching over our spiritual, physical, and emotional well-being with vigilance and care, we can navigate the twists and turns of the journey ahead with grace, resilience, and an unwavering sense of purpose. As you embark on this new chapter, may you find strength in your convictions, solace in your connections, and boundless opportunities for growth and renewal.

Financial Liberation

Laws & Principles

Human Factors

Divine Intervention

The Help of God

Orientation
1. It is the will of God for you to prosper
2. Financial prosperity is the blessings that come with loving God. Job 36; If they obey and serve him, they will spend the rest of their days in prosperity and their years in contentment.
3. You can have abundant financial resources without knowing or loving God, but the peace and fulfillment that comes with it only comes from God.
The problems that most poor people have money can solve but the problems that rich people have only God can solve them.
4. Wealth as a function of laws & principles, human factors, divine intervention, help of God.
5. God does not decide who becomes wealthy or who remains poor. Duet 30:16.
5. Kingdom wealth is not about being millionaires and billionaires. It's about having supplies that meet your needs. But to support the purposes of God. Within the boundaries of modesty life, you do not need alot.

How money works
1. Spiritual. Starts in the unknown in God's economy
2. Giving. If you are not a giver you will be poor.
3. The law of value. Offering solutions that are needed and can give value....whether you sell the value or not, you will receive it in one way or another. Write a list of the things that people are willing to pay for.
4. Productivity; package your value. Many can sing but not everybody is willing to listen to it.
5. Excellence;.....if you are not in a position to deliver quality, preserve the name and let someone else do it.
6. Relationships.... don't abuse them. With all due respect, you cannot treat people the same way if they are in different levels.
7. The only way money grows and multiplies, is through investment. 
Cast your bread upon the waters, for after many days you will find it again.Divide your portion among seven, or even eight, for you do not know what disaster may befall the land.

Five types of investment
1. Spiritual_Relationship with christ
2. Mental_
3, Health & wellnes"
4. Strategic relationships

Principles of living from an overcomer

 

Lessons;
1. Ignorance is a not demon.
It is solved by knowledge.

2. Expectations are defined.
These are the areas that expectations need definition. They are also the measure of success; Spiritual Growth, Mental Transformation, Purpose & Ambitions, Health and wellness, Financial well-being, Relationships, Fulfillment and meaning.
Joseph had prepared and he remained steadfast till his Kairos moment.

3. People are not really affected by what happens to them, they are affected by the meaning they attach to those happenings.
What do the different life events mean to you? what meaning do you attach to them?

4. You need encouragement/motivation to start anything but it takes discipline and consistency is discipline and endurance.
Staying power even alone and the ability to say no to many good things.
There time you need the staying power. Sometimes you just need to close the pot and wait for the food to cook.

5. Do not be hasty with words or with commitments.
Think, pray & seek counsel.
Patience is a virtual that forces deception to reveal itself.
PAUSE, don't be hasty!

6. Critics and naysayers are a system
Confirmation that you are making notable progress.
They can also be used by God from decline and destruction
The presentation of what they are saying maybe wrong but the content is worth listening to.

7. There are three groups of people.
Wicked people;proverbs 6
Selfish people
Ignorant/Naive people
But there are still sincere people and they are gifts.

8. Define the most important things in your life. Not everything is worth dying for.
Everything in life does not hold equal value. Anything that you cannot die for is not that important.
Three most important things in your life; Relationship with Christ. Family (spiritual & biological), Assignment
Not worth dying for; fame, money, titles....competitive things.

9. Learn from the scars of others.
Respect even the children. They have the advantage of time. Saul has a chance of becoming Paul which the elderly don't have. At the end of your life, you will only be remembered for the problems you solved or the problems you created.

Choose Life

Consequences are connected by default to decisions.
At times, some deaths are as a result of some decisions.

To choose means;

1.  That you are aware of other options.
The path you saw may be one of many paths available.
The options;
_Grace and Honour, Dignity & Glory
_Mediocrity
_Life of total confusion
_Life of total defeat.

2,. Conclude on a path to follow after carefully examining the various outcomes they produce.

Choices and decisions are pathways, they always lead somewhere.
Prolonged indecision is giving circumstances permission to choose for you.
It takes making decisions to rise in life and making decisions to fall as well.

The real value of wisdom is in its ability to make superior destiny-advancing decisions.

Excuses and offenses are Satan's weapons of mass destruction.

You can pray and still make bad choices. Your choices will influence you more than your prayers.

7 destiny-defining decisions
1. Decision to know the Lord and serve Him all the days of your life.
2. Decision to contend for a superior belief system. As He thinketh
3. Decision to live a life purpose and meaning. It is purpose that gives value to
4. Decision to contend for health and longevity..Live strong & long.
5. Financially empowered (Lack and want does not glorify God)
6. Decision to build destiny relationships
7. Decision to be a blessing

What you need to know about dreams.

In the Bible, dreams are often categorized based on their nature, purpose, and the messages they convey. Here are some categories/types of dreams according to the Bible:

Prophetic Dreams:
Definition: Dreams that reveal future events or outcomes.
Biblical Example: Joseph's dreams in Genesis 37, predicting his rise to power and the sheaves of grain bowing down to him, symbolizing his family.

Directional Dreams:
Definition: Dreams that provide guidance or instructions.
Biblical Example: Joseph receiving dreams guiding him to take Mary and Jesus to Egypt to escape King Herod's massacre. (Matthew 2:13)

Warning Dreams:
Definition: Dreams that serve as alerts or cautions.
Biblical Example: Pilate's wife dreaming of Jesus' innocence and warning Pilate not to harm him. (Matthew 27:19)

Symbolic Dreams:
Definition: Dreams where symbols convey deeper meanings.
Biblical Example: Nebuchadnezzar's dream of a large statue with different materials representing kingdoms. (Daniel 2)

Intercessory Dreams:
Definition: Dreams prompting prayer on behalf of others.
Biblical Example: Daniel's dream of future conflicts led him to pray for understanding and seek God's guidance. (Daniel 7)

Confirmation Dreams:
Definition: Dreams that confirm a decision or course of action.
Biblical Example: Gideon interpreting a dream as a confirmation of God's plan for victory. (Judges 7:13-15)

Healing Dreams:
Definition: Dreams associated with physical or spiritual healing.
Biblical Example: King Abimelech's dream and subsequent healing after taking Sarah, Abraham's wife. (Genesis 20)

Visions of the Night:
Definition: Nighttime visions that occur during sleep.
Biblical Example: Daniel receiving visions of the night, unveiling future events. (Daniel 7:1)

Revelatory Dreams:
Definition: Dreams that reveal hidden truths or mysteries.
Biblical Example: Peter's dream of a sheet with unclean animals, revealing God's acceptance of Gentiles. (Acts 10:9-16)

Understanding the diverse categories of dreams in the Bible provides insight into the multifaceted ways God communicates with individuals, offering guidance, warnings, and revelations.

What do you do when you dream; Write it down,Pay attention to symbols & colors, Pray about