Bob Karcher is the co-author of "Who are the Joneses, Anyway?"

Personal life stories are powerful, and ours brought us to a realization that there had to be more to life. We are just like many of you--ordinary, hardworking people who discovered ourselves trapped in a race we didn't even realize we were in.

The more we shared our stories and what we learned, the more we realized we were not alone as others, in turn, shared their own personal journeys with us. Many life stories later, we have heard how overspending, gambling, materialism, approval addiction, and many other things have been railroading individuals and families away from the lives they were meant to lead. 

We've witnessed how low self-esteem and poor self-identity have trapped people into thinking they are not a good enough mom or dad, husband or wife, son or daughter--unless they could provide those special shoes, live in the right zip code, drive a certain car, or maintain a prestigious enough title. We've listened to story after story of fractured lives, struggling marriages, and hijacked dreams. 

Many people have told us they are stressed and working too much, and their families hardly know them. They are never home, their marriages are difficult, and they are barely hanging on. Their lives are like running a marathon on a treadmill--they put in all the work but don't get anywhere.

Others tell us they have it "all"--everything life has to offer. Yet, deep down, they know they were created for more and want their lives to count for something more meaningful and have greater impact than just a collection of titles and possessions.