The instant New York Times bestseller by Pastor Joel Osteen’s wife offers insight, advice, and inspiration for women everywhere. So what does it mean, to Love Your Life ?” asks Victoria Osteen. “Loving your life is being willing to make changes, to let go of old ways and unhealthy habits so that you can be the best you can be. It’s about having the right perspective and understanding the value of who you are and what you have. It’s learning to love others and learning to love yourself so that you can get more out of your relationships. It’s about recognizing the gifts that God has given you and making the most of those gifts.” With all of the pressures of the modern world, women have had to deal with an increasingly daunting array of issues—from their kids’ school and sports to their own health and finances and faith. Too often, they have to deal with these matters by themselves. The woman’s role is not an easy one, but as Victoria Osteen shows, with her trademark passion, energy, and optimism, it’s far from impossible. Women can find balance and joy and hope, and become better wives, mothers, daughters, sisters, and friends in the process. Like a trusted friend, Victoria shares her own personal life experiences and the stories of those who have inspired her. Outlining a simple plan for saying “yes” to life’s blessings, she shows readers how they can overcome their fears, and the incredible things they can accomplish when they do. A New York Times bestseller in hardcover, Love Your Life will encourage a whole new universe of readers to accept the gift of who they were meant to be and discover how to live happy, healthy and whole. Victoria Osteen is copastor of Lakewood Church and the wife of televangelist Joel Osteen. She is a native of Houston, Texas. Love Your Life Living Happy, Healthy, and Whole By Victoria Osteen Free Press Copyright © 2009 Victoria Osteen All right reserved. ISBN: 9780743296984 Introduction I wrote this book in the hope that it will help you to achieve new levels in your life and to discover the treasures, gifts, and abilities within you that are just waiting to be uncovered. In the pages ahead, I want to share some foundational truths that will help you realize the depth of these valuable treasures you carry. As co-pastor of Lakewood Church, I've had the incredible opportunity to meet so many women who share stories about their lives with me. We talk about their families, their careers, their good times and bad, and of course their relationship with God. Through many conversations I have found that although most of these women are doing good and important things in their lives, they often feel overwhelmed -- emotionally, physically, and spiritually. At a time when the pressures of the modern family are complicated by the pressures of the modern world, we often struggle to find a healthy balance between career, family, and relationships. But even in the midst of all the hustle and busyness, you can find fulfillment and achieve happiness -- you can Love Your Life! So what does it mean, to Love Your Life? When most people reach the twilight of their lives, they will tell you it's not about having a bigger house or a better job, or about the car they drove or the clothes they wore. They will tell you it was all about investing in themselves and their relationships with other people. How many times have we heard people say with regret, "If only I would have taken better care of myself...if only I would have spent more time with my family and the people I love." That doesn't have to be you. Loving your life is being willing to make changes, to let go of old ways and unhealthy habits so that you can be the best you can be. It's about having the right perspective and understanding the value of who you are and what you have. It's learning to love others and learning to love yourself so that you can get more out of your relationships. It's about recognizing the gifts that God has given you and making the most of those gifts. Ultimately, loving your life is about discovering the greatness that's inside of you and the influence you have on the world around you. You will be amazed at the impact you will have when you tap into those treasures within. No matter where you are today, you have the potential to have better relationships, to increase in confidence, to overcome obstacles, and to celebrate the life God has given you. Perhaps some unfair things have happened in your past, but those things don't define you and they don't determine your future. It's not what happens to you that matters most, it's what happens in you. You don't have to let your experiences draw confidence from you; instead you can draw confidence from your experiences. Be encouraged today because there is so much more in you that is waiting to be discovered. There are new options for your future, and opportunities to be recovered. Now is the time to leave the past behind and m