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Many people dream of turning their passion into a successful business. After all, what could be better than getting paid to do something you love? While it's certainly not easy, it’s possible to convert your passion into a thriving business. Mr. Robertson’s Corner discusses a few things to consider if you're thinking of making the jump:
Different Business Ideas
There are endless possibilities when it comes to starting a business based on your passions. Perhaps you love to cook and want to start a catering company or food truck. Or maybe you're an amazing artist and you want to sell your paintings or sculptures.
If you’re a strong leader and communicator, and you have construction knowledge, you might flourish as a general contractor. Construction is a high-demand industry, so you can quickly find good-paying projects if you position yourself for success.
If you choose to become a contractor, make sure you take advantage of the technologies that can help you run your business more efficiently. Learn to use software for general contractors to improve your invoicing, designing, estimating, and project management processes.
Conducting Market Research
Once you've settled on a business idea, it's important to do market research to confirm a demand for your product or service. This will help you determine the viability and profitability of your idea. Consult the plethora of resources online and in libraries if you're not sure how to go about conducting market research.
Creating a Business Plan
After doing your market research and finding that there is indeed a market for your product or service, it's time to start putting together a business plan. Many templates are available online if you need help developing a business plan.
Your plan should include any and all information related to your company (e.g., goals, strategies, financial forecasts, etc.). Don’t rush through this stage; the more thorough your business plan, the better it will guide you through the challenges and decisions ahead.
Marketing Your Business
Marketing is key to the success of any business, but it's especially important for businesses that are just starting out. You need to tell people about your product or service and why they should choose you over the competition. There are many different marketing channels available (e.g., social media, email, traditional advertising, etc.), so use the ones that will work best for your particular business.
Changing Industries
If you're unhappy with your current career but don't think starting your own business is the right move for you, consider switching industries instead. This can be especially fulfilling if you find a field that aligns with your passions. For example, someone who loves animals might want to become a veterinary technician, while a music lover may thrive as a music therapist.
Education and Certifications
When making a career change, it's essential to obtain the necessary education and certifications. This will ensure you're qualified for the new job and have the skills necessary to succeed long-term.
It can take time and money to get the required training, but it will be worth it in the end. Be sure to research different programs and schools to find the best option for you. Once you've completed your education, continue learning and staying up-to-date on the latest trends in your field. The more knowledge and experience you have, the better positioned you will be for success in your new career.
Conclusion
Pursuing your passion can lead to a more fulfilling personal and professional life. If you're thinking of making the jump from the 9-5 to running your own show, remember to brainstorm business ideas, conduct market research, write a business plan, and create a marketing strategy.
Whether you decide to become an entrepreneur or pursue a job in a different industry, embrace the hard work involved in making your passion project into a success story. You’ll be glad you did once your dreams come true!
If you enjoyed this article, you can find more helpful content on MrRobertsonsCorner.com today!
The traditional, common Roman Catholic prayer before eating, preceded and followed by the Sign of the Cross: "Bless us, O Lord, and these, Thy gifts, which we are about to receive from Thy bounty. Through Christ, our Lord. Amen."
The traditional, common Roman Catholic prayer after eating, preceded and followed by the Sign of the Cross: "We give Thee thanks, Almighty God, for all Thy benefits, Who live and reign forever and ever. Amen."
A meal prayer composed by Aaron S. Robertson, a Roman Catholic layman
My/Our Lord, bless the meal I'm/we're about to eat, along with everyone who had a hand, in any way, in making this meal possible for me/us. I'm/we're always grateful for the opportunity to be able to eat. Hear my/our prayers for those who struggle with, and suffer from, food insecurity and hunger. Grant them the resources they need, and let them know that you're always there for them. Amen.
Roman Catholic prayers for spiritual warfare. Personal testimony to the power of confession and of certain prayers and saints. A true story of battling the devil and demonic harassment.
By Aaron S. Robertson
Introduction
In this post, I describe a specific incident, or, perhaps more accurately, a specific way (because there was more than one episode spread out over time), in which I had found myself battling demonic harassment. Following my testimony, which, among other subjects, speaks to the power of the confessional and to certain prayers and saints, I offer three videos here from YouTube, each being a prayer in Latin, either spoken or chanted. These prayers have helped me immensely, and I include them in a regular prayer routine.
Setting some context in regard to my faith journey
I rediscovered my Roman Catholic faith back in December 2021 after nearly 20 years of wandering in the dark wilderness. An epic blog post about my conversion on a Sunday morning back in December immediately upon awakening from bed and the journey since then is pending. Since March 2022, after visiting the confessional one evening, I have been frequently experiencing very powerful and noticeable involuntary movements in my face and neck while praying. Sometimes, I experience an electrifying feeling going up and down my right leg while praying, as well. And still sometimes, I experience a feeling on the the right side in my head, near my ear on that side, as if a nerve is being pulled back. I cannot mimic any of these movements if I wanted to.
The leg incidents seem to happen most often while praying to/reflecting on God the Father, in particular, but the more frequent face and neck movements can occur while reciting a variety of prayers - whether invoking the Holy Spirit and engaging in conversation with Him, or while calling upon our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, or while asking Blessed Mary and/or any of the angels and saints for their intercession. The nerve-pulling sensation in my head can occur in different settings, such as during Mass or even in the confessional during the priest's absolution. I have been keeping a regular log of nearly every one of these powerful encounters with prayer and reflection.
My testimony regarding this one specific way in which I had found myself battling demonic harassment; speaking to the power of the confessional and to certain prayers and saints
St. Philomena, 291-304.
On Wednesday, August 24, 2022, I went to confession at another parish, since I was not quite sure if I would make it to confession at my home parish the following evening due to a possible work obligation. During my confession, I explained to Father that, for quite some time now, I firmly believe I have been experiencing harassment and taunts in my mind coming from the devil. Lately, however, the harassment seems to have increased, and that's what brought me to confession on this night, to primarily talk about this and seek counsel on the matter.
The taunts, I explained, usually take on the form of vile, hate-filled, abusive language directed toward our Lord, the very same profanity I had admittedly used toward, or about, so many individuals in the days prior to my conversion in December 2021. I explained to Father that I believe it’s coming from the devil for three reasons. The first reason is that these thoughts appear to be repelled and unable to enter my mind while listening to prayers of deliverance/minor exorcism, usually recited in Latin, and either spoken or chanted (see YouTube videos of these prayers below). Additionally, these thoughts are simply illogical. They make absolutely no sense; in that I have no hatred or anger for God. There appears to be an artificial disconnect created here between my mind and my heart, I explained, and God knows where my heart is at. I wouldn’t be attending Mass, confession, and praying regularly if I wasn’t a believer and if I didn’t have love for God. Finally, I return to the point that, by my own admission, these degrading and vile cuss words were used by me against others in my prior life. By the grace of Almighty God through previous confessions, I no longer use these words, and while I truly believe and understand that these past offenses were forgiven and forgotten by Almighty God, we know that the devil and his demon friends don’t forget - and they certainly don’t forgive. They will attempt to taunt us with our own pasts any way they can.
St. Philomena, virgin and martyr.
After hearing all this, Father told me that, yes, he believes this is the work of the devil, as well, and he reminded me of something I’ve heard from other priests and fellow lay believers alike - that I should consider it a compliment of sorts that I’m being harassed by the devil. It lets me know that I must be doing something right. As we try to get closer to God, the devil certainly does not want this, and so he will throw anything he can at us to scare us, confuse us, and get us to back off. He also reminded me that our Lord and Savior Himself was tempted and harassed by the devil, and that I should take comfort in knowing this. As penance, he assigned me to recite the Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel, a prayer that I had already certainly become well-familiar with. I recited it in the church immediately after my confession, but I also had with me the Litany of St. Philomena prayer, and I was wearing my blessed wrist cord devoted to her. I recited this prayer, as well, immediately following my confession.
St. Michael the Archangel.
Later on this same evening, well past my confession and prayers, something started to become very noticeable to me. I was watching television when the taunts, via this same horrible language, began again. This time, however, without listening to the same helpful Latin prayers/chants I just mentioned, the thoughts were instantly repelled. As quickly and as frequently as they tried to enter my mind, they were whisked away. I couldn’t even try to say the words in my mind by my own accord - I couldn’t complete them. I asked the Holy Spirit if this was due to the intercession of Ss. Michael and Philomena, and I received three involuntary neck movements that I took to be a powerful, "Yes."
The next day, on the morning of August 25, shortly after I had awakened, I prayed the St. Patrick’s Breastplate prayer. After reciting each one of these three lines in the prayer that follow one another consecutively, “In the faith of confessors, In the innocence of holy virgins, In the deeds of righteous men,” I received one intense involuntary movement of my neck, for a total of three. When it came to experiencing these movements at the reciting of these lines, I understood “In the faith of confessors” to mean the priest who had just heard my confession the prior evening; “In the innocence of holy virgins” to mean St. Philomena; and “In the deeds of righteous men” to mean God’s holy priests in general.
In the middle of the night between August 25 and August 26, at approximately 2:30am, I awakened to use the bathroom. I was experiencing attempted harassment and taunting by the devil again in my mind, the same hateful, abusive language I had previously described. The language was being repelled before it could fully enter my mind, but serious attempts to break in were being made. I briefly prayed before a picture of Christ, and asked for help from St. Philomena. At that moment, I received three involuntary movements of the neck. Of course, I took this to be a confirmation that both our Lord and the good saint were present and had heard me.
Flash forward to me publishing this here in October. I still occasionally experience this form of harassment, but it is far less frequent, and the words are still repelled before they can fully enter my mind. I can’t even complete them in my mind if I wanted to. They’re incinerated on arrival before they can take root. My own parish priest says that I can credit the role of my guardian angel in all of this, as well, which I certainly do.
Presenting these three Latin prayers via YouTube, and a sincere warning about not reciting these prayers yourself if you are not an ordained priest
What follows are three YouTube videos. Each one is a prayer in Latin. The first one is in spoken form. It is an exorcism prayer written by Pope Leo XIII, and it is recited here by Fr. Dom Lorenzo, SSCV. It can be read in English here. The next two videos feature prayers sung in chant form. The first one is St. Anthony's Cross Exorcism, while the second one is St. Benedict's Cross Exorcism.
All three of these prayers are beautiful and effective. I frequently play them in the background quietly while reciting my own prayers.
A sincere warning here that you should never recite prayers of exorcism yourself if you are not an ordained priest. Of the prayers presented here below, this is especially true regarding the first one written by Leo XIII and recited by Fr. Dom Lorenzo. Doing so can be very dangerous for us laypeople, since prayers of this type address and command Satan directly.
A silent prayer for the layperson during Mass near the time for the Blessed Sacrament
My Lord, hear my prayers for everyone gathered here today in your name. I pray for deliverance from whatever troubles them in their personal or professional lives, or perhaps on their own faith journeys. Have mercy on us all, forgive us our sins, and allow us all to receive you in most Holy Communion. Give us the spiritual food and armor we all need to make good choices, better choices, that are more pleasing to you and more in line with our Father's will and expectations for us; the spiritual food and armor we all need to continue to fend off the harassment, taunts, and traps of Satan and his demon friends; the spiritual food and armor we all need to be of greater charity, all in the service of others and all for your glory. Wash away every blemish that diminishes our friendship with you, and bring us all closer to you and to one another. Amen.
A prayer for those who have no one to pray for them today
Come Holy Spirit, Come Holy Spirit, I pray. My friend, my advocate, my guide and teacher, my merciful and loving Almighty God. Hear my prayers for all those who have no one to pray for them today. Make your presence known to them. Comfort them. Grant them your graces and healing, along with any resources they may need. Help them grow in faith. Amen.
For all those who have no one to pray for them today, I pray: [Hail Mary prayer three times -]
Hail, Mary, full of grace,
the Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou amongst women
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners,
now and at the hour of our death.
Amen.
A prayer for all those you have ever hurt during your lifetime
My Lord, hear my prayers for all those whom I have ever hurt, in any way, during my lifetime, during my nearly [insert number of years] years on this earth. Whether I can recall all their names and faces or not; whether I can recall all the atrocious deeds I committed against them or not. You know. I pray for every one of them. Grant them your graces and healing. Have mercy on them, forgive them of their own sins, and I pray for their conversions. Amen.
For all those whom I have ever hurt during my lifetime, in any way, in my nearly [insert number of years] years on this earth, I pray: [Hail Mary prayer three times -]
Hail, Mary, full of grace,
the Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou amongst women
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners,
now and at the hour of our death.
Amen.
Hail, Mary, full of grace,
the Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou amongst women
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners,
now and at the hour of our death.
Amen.
My sweet, kind, gentle, beautiful, caring, understanding, merciful, nurturing, and compassionate spiritual mother and holy queen, Blessed Mary, ever virgin. Pray for me, Mary, a sinner in need of your love, your guidance, your support, and your prayers. Help bring me closer to yourself; to your beautiful son, our lord and savior Jesus Christ, the only begotten son of the one true living God, who truly did die for me and for all, so that we may be freed from the bondage of sin and know Almighty God. Help bring me closer to your husband, your most chaste spouse, good St. Joseph, the ultimate male role model who answered God's call. Help bring me closer to Almighty God's army of angels, including my own guardian angel and good St. Michael. Help bring me closer to our communion of saints. Pray for me, Mary, a sinner, and help preserve me from mortal sin during this day. Amen.
In the evening, the same:
Begin with Hail Mary prayer three times -
Hail, Mary, full of grace,
the Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou amongst women
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners,
now and at the hour of our death.
Amen.
My sweet, kind, gentle, beautiful, caring, understanding, merciful, nurturing, and compassionate spiritual mother and holy queen, Blessed Mary, ever virgin. Pray for me, Mary, a sinner in need of your love, your guidance, your support, and your prayers. Help bring me closer to yourself; to your beautiful son, our lord and savior Jesus Christ, the only begotten son of the one true living God, who truly did die for me and for all, so that we may be freed from the bondage of sin and know Almighty God. Help bring me closer to your husband, your most chaste spouse, good St. Joseph, the ultimate male role model who answered God's call. Help bring me closer to Almighty God's army of angels, including my own guardian angel and good St. Michael. Help bring me closer to our communion of saints. Pray for me, Mary, a sinner, and help preserve me from mortal sin during this night. Amen.
