How To Live Your Life on Purpose by Judge Glenda Hatchett

By: Lois-Ann Clark, Publisher AABoomers.com

At this stage of our lives, many Baby Boomers find ourselves wondering, the question the old song asks, “Is This All There Is?”.  We have pursued careers in which many of us have been very successful, some of us have raised families, and others have retired, yet now feel a longing to do something else.  For some it is pursuing a lifelong dream that has lain dormant in us for years.  For others, it may be a yen to start a business, or turn a hobby into a business, to be one’s own boss.  In her latest book, Dare to Take Charge: Live Your Life On Purpose, television judge, Glenda Hatchett offers a handbook for those who desire to create positive changes in their lives.

In this book, which is really an interactive handbook, the Judge presents a step- by- step plan to help us ‘get real’ about creating the change we desire.  As children, many of us played a game called, “truth or consequences, dare or repeat.” Although I can not remember exactly how the game was played, the name seems very apropos when describing this book. Throughout the book, Judge Hatchett has us confront the truth about our situations and dreams, and warns us of the consequences that may befall us if we do not.  She reminds us that unless we, “Get Real With Reality” as the title of one of chapters suggests, we are destined to repeat the negative or unwanted scenarios of the past. As the title of the book states, she dares us to take charge of our lives.  

Where this book  succeeds when many other “self-help” books fail, is that not only does Judge Hatchett offer suggestions and positive mantras, she also gives us work to do to achieve the goals we have set for ourselves., along with timetables  in which to achieve the goals.  At the end of the first chapter, the reader is given the assignment of writing down the one dream we have had all of our lives; the dream that is yet unfilled.  Although many inspirational writers have told us the importance of writing down our dreams, in this book, Judge Hatchett also gives us specific steps, or actions to take to help turn our dreams into reality.

No one can doubt that we live in difficult times, the economy seems so uncertain, and the news media fill the airwaves with one doom and gloom scenario after another. For those interested in improving their lives or pursuing their dreams, this might seem like not the right time to change the status quo., yet Judge Hatchett challenges us to look at things from a different perspective by focusing on the positive rather than the negative, and gives us the assignment of focusing on what gives us joy and creating a Joy Journal.

Throughout the book, the Judge gives a glimpse of her journey from the frustrated and overwhelmed law student, to a successful television judge, dispensing justice to those who have taken the wrong path which has led them to her courtroom.  She also shares the misfortunes and triumphs of others to let us know that  it is possible, despite adversity, disappointment, and set-backs, to achieve our goals    The book gives the  reader  the opportunity to take a good look at his/her  dreams, plan, achieve, regroup, when necessary, and  succeed. It is in many ways, a personal “GPS” system which not only helps us plan our journey, but make adjustments as necessary, as we travel on our journey.

This is not a book to read once and put down.  It is a book to be read, written in, reflected upon, and referred to many times.  Go ahead, take charge of your life and live it on purpose.

I dare you

Glenda Hatchett presides over the Emmy-nominated syndicated show, Judge Hatchett.  A graduate of  Mount Holyoke College and Emory University School of Law, Hatchett has also served a Chief Presiding Judge of the Fulton  county, Georgia, Juvenile Court as ell as senior attorney for Delta Airlines.  A passionate advocate for parents, children, and families, Judge Hatchett also operates www.parentpowernow.com, a global social networking site for parents and influencers of children, and www.glendahatchett.com