"I who am blind can give one hint to those who see: use your eyes
As if tomorrow you would be stricken blind. And the same method can
Be applied to the other senses. Hear the music of voices, the song
Of a bird, the mighty strains of an orchestra as if you would be
Stricken deaf tomorrow. Touch each object as if tomorrow your
Tactile sense would fail. Smell the perfume of flowers, taste with
Relish each morsel as if tomorrow you could never smell and taste
Again. Make the most of every sense, glory in all the facets of
Pleasure and beauty which the world reveals to you through the
Several means of contact which nature provides."
--Helen Keller
We didn't come here to simply pass through life on our way to
Someplace else. We came here to savor life, to sensually take
It all in, moment by cherished moment.
May you enjoy your life to the fullest, employing your senses, your
Heart and your soul in the process.
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Action and attitude
Action and attitude
+++++++++++++++++++
Your actions affect your attitude and your attitude drives
your actions. It can indeed be powerful to get your actions
and your attitude working consistently in the same
direction.
A small positive action can often make a big positive
difference in your outlook on life. Even something quick and
simple can shift your momentum.
In the same way, a small positive shift in your attitude can
encourage you to take action when you previously were not
inclined to do so. Just a brief empowering thought can get
you moving forward.
So if you cannot quite bring yourself to take action, at the
very least you can convince yourself to carry a more
positive attitude. After all, thinking does not require any
physical effort at all, and before long that positive
attitude will surely lead you to take action.
Or, if you find yourself resisting a positive attitude, at
the very least you can take some small beneficial action.
And you'll be amazed at how soon that will lead to a more
positive attitude.
Whether it's through your actions or through your attitude,
there's always a way to introduce a more affirmative
perspective into your life. Stay focused on the positive
possibilities, and life will continue to grow more richly
rewarding.
Ralph Marston
............................................................................
+++++++++++++++++++
Your actions affect your attitude and your attitude drives
your actions. It can indeed be powerful to get your actions
and your attitude working consistently in the same
direction.
A small positive action can often make a big positive
difference in your outlook on life. Even something quick and
simple can shift your momentum.
In the same way, a small positive shift in your attitude can
encourage you to take action when you previously were not
inclined to do so. Just a brief empowering thought can get
you moving forward.
So if you cannot quite bring yourself to take action, at the
very least you can convince yourself to carry a more
positive attitude. After all, thinking does not require any
physical effort at all, and before long that positive
attitude will surely lead you to take action.
Or, if you find yourself resisting a positive attitude, at
the very least you can take some small beneficial action.
And you'll be amazed at how soon that will lead to a more
positive attitude.
Whether it's through your actions or through your attitude,
there's always a way to introduce a more affirmative
perspective into your life. Stay focused on the positive
possibilities, and life will continue to grow more richly
rewarding.
Ralph Marston
............................................................................
In control
In control
+++++++++++++++++++
There are lots of temptations and there are plenty of
excuses. Keep in mind, though, that you are in control of
you.
To reach the destination you have chosen, you must follow
the path that will take you there. And while diversions and
distractions will constantly come along, remember that you
are in control of you.
Your thoughts, your words and your actions are precisely the
ones you choose. They can take you anywhere you would like
to go.
Though many things are out of your control, you are always
in control of you. You can respond, you can adjust, you can
persist and you can move in the direction of your dreams, no
matter what the outside factors may be.
You are in control of you. Your decisions in each and every
moment determine the quality of life that you live.
It is a heavy responsibility and a magnificent opportunity.
You are in control of you, and you will always go right
where your actions take you.
Ralph Marston
............................................................................
+++++++++++++++++++
There are lots of temptations and there are plenty of
excuses. Keep in mind, though, that you are in control of
you.
To reach the destination you have chosen, you must follow
the path that will take you there. And while diversions and
distractions will constantly come along, remember that you
are in control of you.
Your thoughts, your words and your actions are precisely the
ones you choose. They can take you anywhere you would like
to go.
Though many things are out of your control, you are always
in control of you. You can respond, you can adjust, you can
persist and you can move in the direction of your dreams, no
matter what the outside factors may be.
You are in control of you. Your decisions in each and every
moment determine the quality of life that you live.
It is a heavy responsibility and a magnificent opportunity.
You are in control of you, and you will always go right
where your actions take you.
Ralph Marston
............................................................................
A moment of serenity
A moment of serenity
+++++++++++++++++++
Take a moment to pause and remember who you are. Take a
moment to reflect on the things that have real and lasting
meaning in your life.
In a world where there is so much change from instant to
instant, keep yourself ever connected to those values that
endure. Refresh your spirit often with a time of quiet
serenity.
Find refuge from the noise and turmoil, and you'll be able
to hear the voice of purpose and meaning, calling from
within. There are many valuable things you know without
being told, and it can be energizing to contemplate them.
Beyond the shallow concerns that must scream for attention
are life's real treasures. Those treasures come clearly into
focus when you step back a little bit and take an objective
look.
Pay attention to the nagging feeling that there must be more
to life than all the rush and confusion. There most
certainly is.
Take the time to make time stand still. And take in the
experience of being.
Ralph Marston
+++++++++++++++++++
Take a moment to pause and remember who you are. Take a
moment to reflect on the things that have real and lasting
meaning in your life.
In a world where there is so much change from instant to
instant, keep yourself ever connected to those values that
endure. Refresh your spirit often with a time of quiet
serenity.
Find refuge from the noise and turmoil, and you'll be able
to hear the voice of purpose and meaning, calling from
within. There are many valuable things you know without
being told, and it can be energizing to contemplate them.
Beyond the shallow concerns that must scream for attention
are life's real treasures. Those treasures come clearly into
focus when you step back a little bit and take an objective
look.
Pay attention to the nagging feeling that there must be more
to life than all the rush and confusion. There most
certainly is.
Take the time to make time stand still. And take in the
experience of being.
Ralph Marston
Friday, December 21, 2007
How you look at it
How you look at it
+++++++++++++++++++
When you look at the world, what is the first thing that
comes to your attention? Do you zero in on the problems, the
heartaches, the fears and the disappointments, or do you
first take note of the beauty, the joys and the positive
possibilities?
If you look at life through a lens of negativity, life will
dutifully arrange itself to meet your expectations. When you
approach life from a more positive perspective, your
expectations will just as surely be met.
Is it unrealistic to look at the bright side, to remain
generally positive, and to expect the best in life? No,
because reality itself is neutral, and what you get from it
depends upon how you view it and what you make of it.
The raw forces, circumstances and events are, for the most
part, out of your control. Yet you can completely control
the way you perceive, respond, adapt and yes, even prosper
under their influence.
The control you exercise over your own perceptions, thoughts
and actions will make all the difference in your life.
Reality is what it is, and your own relationship to that
reality is precisely whatever you choose for it to be.
There is goodness, there is beauty, there is love and joy
and boundless opportunity when you choose to see it. Look
realistically at the world, see the very best, and bring it
joyfully to life in each moment.
Ralph Marston
............................................................................
+++++++++++++++++++
When you look at the world, what is the first thing that
comes to your attention? Do you zero in on the problems, the
heartaches, the fears and the disappointments, or do you
first take note of the beauty, the joys and the positive
possibilities?
If you look at life through a lens of negativity, life will
dutifully arrange itself to meet your expectations. When you
approach life from a more positive perspective, your
expectations will just as surely be met.
Is it unrealistic to look at the bright side, to remain
generally positive, and to expect the best in life? No,
because reality itself is neutral, and what you get from it
depends upon how you view it and what you make of it.
The raw forces, circumstances and events are, for the most
part, out of your control. Yet you can completely control
the way you perceive, respond, adapt and yes, even prosper
under their influence.
The control you exercise over your own perceptions, thoughts
and actions will make all the difference in your life.
Reality is what it is, and your own relationship to that
reality is precisely whatever you choose for it to be.
There is goodness, there is beauty, there is love and joy
and boundless opportunity when you choose to see it. Look
realistically at the world, see the very best, and bring it
joyfully to life in each moment.
Ralph Marston
............................................................................
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Positive experience
Positive experience
+++++++++++++++++++
The best response to a negative experience is to create a
positive experience. Instead of fighting against life's
misfortunes, transform them into useful and worthwhile
value.
When things go wrong, you have a choice. You can wallow in
self pity or you can seize the opportunity for self
improvement.
In every disappointment there is the seed of fulfillment. In
every weakness there is the seed of strength.
Problems and difficulties provide reliable pathways to
achievement. There is value to be gained from every
experience when you choose to see that value and to bring it
about.
You never have to be the victim of random circumstance, or
of any other circumstance for that matter. For instead of
choosing to be the victim, you can always choose to make a
positive difference.
Life is often unfair, and comes to you in ups and downs, but
that doesn't really matter. For you are free to make of it
whatever you choose.
Ralph Marston
+++++++++++++++++++
The best response to a negative experience is to create a
positive experience. Instead of fighting against life's
misfortunes, transform them into useful and worthwhile
value.
When things go wrong, you have a choice. You can wallow in
self pity or you can seize the opportunity for self
improvement.
In every disappointment there is the seed of fulfillment. In
every weakness there is the seed of strength.
Problems and difficulties provide reliable pathways to
achievement. There is value to be gained from every
experience when you choose to see that value and to bring it
about.
You never have to be the victim of random circumstance, or
of any other circumstance for that matter. For instead of
choosing to be the victim, you can always choose to make a
positive difference.
Life is often unfair, and comes to you in ups and downs, but
that doesn't really matter. For you are free to make of it
whatever you choose.
Ralph Marston
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
The value within
The value within
+++++++++++++++++++
There is a vast storehouse of value within you that is
waiting to be unlocked. Every now and then you catch a
glimpse of it, and even those brief encounters can truly
amaze you.
So how do you tap into that extensive reservoir of richness
that has built up in your life? You connect with it by
letting go of all the superficial distractions and petty
pursuits under which it is buried.
When you give your awareness to things that have no lasting
meaning or purpose, you distance yourself from the true joy
that is your birthright. When you pin your hopes on shallow,
fleeting sensations, you cover up the beautiful substance
that can bring your life true joy.
Isn't it time to start living with fulfillment and purpose?
Haven't you grown weary of running and hiding from the real
joy that you know can be yours?
Aren't you tired of struggling to pretend to be someone
you're not? It's time to choose instead to live the rich and
authentic life that is the real you.
Imagine letting go of all those angers, distractions, fears,
frustrations and annoyances that come from chasing the empty
trinkets the world has tricked you into seeking. Let go, and
unlock the real and lasting value that you know has always
lived within you.
Ralph Marston
+++++++++++++++++++
There is a vast storehouse of value within you that is
waiting to be unlocked. Every now and then you catch a
glimpse of it, and even those brief encounters can truly
amaze you.
So how do you tap into that extensive reservoir of richness
that has built up in your life? You connect with it by
letting go of all the superficial distractions and petty
pursuits under which it is buried.
When you give your awareness to things that have no lasting
meaning or purpose, you distance yourself from the true joy
that is your birthright. When you pin your hopes on shallow,
fleeting sensations, you cover up the beautiful substance
that can bring your life true joy.
Isn't it time to start living with fulfillment and purpose?
Haven't you grown weary of running and hiding from the real
joy that you know can be yours?
Aren't you tired of struggling to pretend to be someone
you're not? It's time to choose instead to live the rich and
authentic life that is the real you.
Imagine letting go of all those angers, distractions, fears,
frustrations and annoyances that come from chasing the empty
trinkets the world has tricked you into seeking. Let go, and
unlock the real and lasting value that you know has always
lived within you.
Ralph Marston
Richness all around you
Richness all around you
+++++++++++++++++++
Wherever life may find you today is a beautiful place to be.
Whatever you currently have to work with is everything you
need to make this a memorable and fulfilling moment.
There is value you're able to create right now that will
always stay with you. There are joys to be experienced today
that can change your life forever.
No matter where you may choose to go, the first step is
ready for you to take. The journey toward any destination
you can imagine begins right here and now.
There is richness all around you. There are possibilities
stretching out in every direction.
See the beauty in every detail and the value in every
challenge. Listen to the purpose that springs from deep
within you, and follow the feelings that you know are true.
Let the brand new abundance that is born in every moment
fill you fully with its warmth and substance. On this day,
in this place, with the world as it is, take it all in and
let the beauty of life shine brightly through you.
Ralph Marston
+++++++++++++++++++
Wherever life may find you today is a beautiful place to be.
Whatever you currently have to work with is everything you
need to make this a memorable and fulfilling moment.
There is value you're able to create right now that will
always stay with you. There are joys to be experienced today
that can change your life forever.
No matter where you may choose to go, the first step is
ready for you to take. The journey toward any destination
you can imagine begins right here and now.
There is richness all around you. There are possibilities
stretching out in every direction.
See the beauty in every detail and the value in every
challenge. Listen to the purpose that springs from deep
within you, and follow the feelings that you know are true.
Let the brand new abundance that is born in every moment
fill you fully with its warmth and substance. On this day,
in this place, with the world as it is, take it all in and
let the beauty of life shine brightly through you.
Ralph Marston
Positive distractions
Positive distractions
+++++++++++++++++++
Distractions can be helpful or they can be harmful. It all
depends on what they distract you from and what they
distract you toward.
You can learn to use distractions to break yourself free
from negative thought patterns. And you can also learn to
let go of the things that would otherwise distract you from
positive, productive thoughts and efforts.
Distractions don't distract you of their own accord. They
require your cooperation.
That puts you in a position to make a powerful choice. You
can choose to indulge only those distractions that help you,
and to let the others just go on by.
Distractions can be very compelling. And so you can use them
to your advantage, to help move you in the direction you
have chosen to go.
Find yourself some good, positive, interesting distractions,
and make strategic use of them to keep you going steadily
forward. Select your distractions wisely, and put them to
work in your life.
Ralph Marston
+++++++++++++++++++
Distractions can be helpful or they can be harmful. It all
depends on what they distract you from and what they
distract you toward.
You can learn to use distractions to break yourself free
from negative thought patterns. And you can also learn to
let go of the things that would otherwise distract you from
positive, productive thoughts and efforts.
Distractions don't distract you of their own accord. They
require your cooperation.
That puts you in a position to make a powerful choice. You
can choose to indulge only those distractions that help you,
and to let the others just go on by.
Distractions can be very compelling. And so you can use them
to your advantage, to help move you in the direction you
have chosen to go.
Find yourself some good, positive, interesting distractions,
and make strategic use of them to keep you going steadily
forward. Select your distractions wisely, and put them to
work in your life.
Ralph Marston
Magnificent treasure
Magnificent treasure
+++++++++++++++++++
They wait patiently in the back of your mind, gently
reminding you from time to time of their presence. Each time
they come to the surface, you feel a tinge of longing and
wonder and excitement.
You consider them for a moment, and then you usually push
them back away from your awareness. Something, seemingly
more urgent, comes along.
Yet they never completely go away. Because there is
something in them that tells you about who you are.
What are they? They're the best of your unexplored
possibilities.
You hold on to them, keep them buried away, and cherish them
deeply in your own way. Maybe now, though, maybe it is time
to begin giving life to them.
The next time one of those unexplored possibilities reminds
you of itself, do more than just putting it back away. For
in the best of those unexplored possibilities, there is
magnificent treasure to be found.
Ralph Marston
+++++++++++++++++++
They wait patiently in the back of your mind, gently
reminding you from time to time of their presence. Each time
they come to the surface, you feel a tinge of longing and
wonder and excitement.
You consider them for a moment, and then you usually push
them back away from your awareness. Something, seemingly
more urgent, comes along.
Yet they never completely go away. Because there is
something in them that tells you about who you are.
What are they? They're the best of your unexplored
possibilities.
You hold on to them, keep them buried away, and cherish them
deeply in your own way. Maybe now, though, maybe it is time
to begin giving life to them.
The next time one of those unexplored possibilities reminds
you of itself, do more than just putting it back away. For
in the best of those unexplored possibilities, there is
magnificent treasure to be found.
Ralph Marston
This is the time
This is the time
+++++++++++++++++++
Everything that is, exists in this moment. This is the best
time of your life because this is the time when your life is
being lived.
If you have been planning to take action, now is the time to
do it. Within you is a vision of how great life can be, and
now is the time to make it real.
Now is the time when accomplishment happens. Now is the time
when dreams are brought to life.
Now is when you are free to choose the direction of your
life. Now is when you are able to do what must be done.
Life is now and you are here to live it. Do you realize what
an enormous opportunity is now within your grasp?
Breathe in deeply the sweet, powerful fragrance of this now
moment. This is the time to fully and truly live.
Ralph Marston
+++++++++++++++++++
Everything that is, exists in this moment. This is the best
time of your life because this is the time when your life is
being lived.
If you have been planning to take action, now is the time to
do it. Within you is a vision of how great life can be, and
now is the time to make it real.
Now is the time when accomplishment happens. Now is the time
when dreams are brought to life.
Now is when you are free to choose the direction of your
life. Now is when you are able to do what must be done.
Life is now and you are here to live it. Do you realize what
an enormous opportunity is now within your grasp?
Breathe in deeply the sweet, powerful fragrance of this now
moment. This is the time to fully and truly live.
Ralph Marston
Monday, December 17, 2007
Focus on abundance
Focus on abundance
+++++++++++++++++++
Choose to let your troubles remind you of your blessings.
Challenge yourself to focus your attention on the positive
influences and possibilities in your life.
No matter how difficult the situation, that difficulty will
always be outweighed by the goodness to which you are
connected. Each and every good thing in your life that you
call to mind will help to melt away the anxiety and
strengthen your sense of peaceful purpose.
When troubles come along, respond by making a mental list of
the good things in your life. You'll quickly realize that
they are far too numerous to ever completely count.
Turn your attention to the things of real value with which
you are blessed. It will illuminate new possibilities and
inject positive energy into your efforts.
Thinking of one thing for which you can be thankful leads
you right to another, and another, and yet another. That
kind of thinking will point you out of the darkness and into
the light.
Focus on the real abundance in your life. And your loving
attention will make that abundance grow.
Ralph Marston
+++++++++++++++++++
Choose to let your troubles remind you of your blessings.
Challenge yourself to focus your attention on the positive
influences and possibilities in your life.
No matter how difficult the situation, that difficulty will
always be outweighed by the goodness to which you are
connected. Each and every good thing in your life that you
call to mind will help to melt away the anxiety and
strengthen your sense of peaceful purpose.
When troubles come along, respond by making a mental list of
the good things in your life. You'll quickly realize that
they are far too numerous to ever completely count.
Turn your attention to the things of real value with which
you are blessed. It will illuminate new possibilities and
inject positive energy into your efforts.
Thinking of one thing for which you can be thankful leads
you right to another, and another, and yet another. That
kind of thinking will point you out of the darkness and into
the light.
Focus on the real abundance in your life. And your loving
attention will make that abundance grow.
Ralph Marston
Stepping back
Stepping back
+++++++++++++++++++
Imagine that you can a step back from yourself, far enough
back to get a good, objective look at the way you are. What
do you think you would see?
You already know what it's like to be you from the inside.
Think for a moment how it would be to encounter you from the
outside.
Consider how your words, your actions and your priorities
look when viewed objectively. Think of the advice you would
want to give if you were to observe yourself for a while
from the outside.
Stand back and watch the way you spend your time. Look
closely at what really works for you, and at what really
doesn't.
Though it is unwise to become obsessed with what others
think of you, it is smart to regularly consider your life
from an objective viewpoint. It can give you a new
appreciation for your strengths and will help to point out
areas where you can make valuable improvements.
In your imagination, every now and then, take a step back,
and then take a good look. See yourself with objective eyes,
and discover new ways to make life better and better.
Ralph Marston
+++++++++++++++++++
Imagine that you can a step back from yourself, far enough
back to get a good, objective look at the way you are. What
do you think you would see?
You already know what it's like to be you from the inside.
Think for a moment how it would be to encounter you from the
outside.
Consider how your words, your actions and your priorities
look when viewed objectively. Think of the advice you would
want to give if you were to observe yourself for a while
from the outside.
Stand back and watch the way you spend your time. Look
closely at what really works for you, and at what really
doesn't.
Though it is unwise to become obsessed with what others
think of you, it is smart to regularly consider your life
from an objective viewpoint. It can give you a new
appreciation for your strengths and will help to point out
areas where you can make valuable improvements.
In your imagination, every now and then, take a step back,
and then take a good look. See yourself with objective eyes,
and discover new ways to make life better and better.
Ralph Marston
Live beyond fear
Live beyond fear
+++++++++++++++++++
There is real treasure at the center of your being. Yet fear
can keep that treasure hidden and inaccessible.
Fear of failure can keep you from taking the steps necessary
to succeed. Fear of being wrong can prevent you from making
the choices that are truly right for you.
Fear of loss leaves you unable to win. Fear gives power and
influence to whatever it is you fear.
Yet fear can exist only when you view life through the
narrow window of your ego. Get beyond that ego, and fear no
longer has any place to inhabit.
When you view the rest of life as being separate and
disconnected from you, that provides fertile ground for
destructive fear. The more fully you realize and the more
deeply you understand your connection to all that is, the
more quickly the fears will vanish.
Stop listening to your ego and you'll stop being a prisoner
of fear. Think and act and feel beyond yourself and you'll
live well beyond the fear.
Ralph Marston
+++++++++++++++++++
There is real treasure at the center of your being. Yet fear
can keep that treasure hidden and inaccessible.
Fear of failure can keep you from taking the steps necessary
to succeed. Fear of being wrong can prevent you from making
the choices that are truly right for you.
Fear of loss leaves you unable to win. Fear gives power and
influence to whatever it is you fear.
Yet fear can exist only when you view life through the
narrow window of your ego. Get beyond that ego, and fear no
longer has any place to inhabit.
When you view the rest of life as being separate and
disconnected from you, that provides fertile ground for
destructive fear. The more fully you realize and the more
deeply you understand your connection to all that is, the
more quickly the fears will vanish.
Stop listening to your ego and you'll stop being a prisoner
of fear. Think and act and feel beyond yourself and you'll
live well beyond the fear.
Ralph Marston
Before you respond
Before you respond
+++++++++++++++++++
Before you respond, take a breath. Before you respond, take a
moment to think.
When you instantly and automatically react, it allows the
people and events around you to take control of your life.
When, on the other hand, you thoughtfully and deliberately
respond, it puts you firmly in control.
You can watch, listen and learn from all that's going on in
your world. Yet you never have to let it all get to you.
Always remember that you can choose how to think and feel
about whatever is happening. Even more importantly, you can
choose what, if anything, to do about it.
Stay ever connected to your dreams, your values, your
experience and your wisdom. Give yourself a moment to
consider the best of who you are before you decide how to
speak or to act.
Every moment is a choice that you have the opportunity to
make. Choose those possibilities that will move you steadily
and decisively forward.
Ralph Marston
+++++++++++++++++++
Before you respond, take a breath. Before you respond, take a
moment to think.
When you instantly and automatically react, it allows the
people and events around you to take control of your life.
When, on the other hand, you thoughtfully and deliberately
respond, it puts you firmly in control.
You can watch, listen and learn from all that's going on in
your world. Yet you never have to let it all get to you.
Always remember that you can choose how to think and feel
about whatever is happening. Even more importantly, you can
choose what, if anything, to do about it.
Stay ever connected to your dreams, your values, your
experience and your wisdom. Give yourself a moment to
consider the best of who you are before you decide how to
speak or to act.
Every moment is a choice that you have the opportunity to
make. Choose those possibilities that will move you steadily
and decisively forward.
Ralph Marston
Set a shining example
Set a shining example
+++++++++++++++++++
The world around you will follow the example that you set.
The shortcomings in others that frustrate you the most are
able to do so because they resonate with similar
shortcomings in your own life.
Make improvements in your own attitude and behavior, and
you'll see corresponding improvements in those around you.
Focus your own thoughts on the positive possibilities, and
others will pick up on and emulate that focus.
Stop searching for blame and start mending what's broken.
Stop seeking to judge and start putting your values into
positive, productive action.
Your influence is far greater than you now realize. Use that
influence wisely, to build, to grow, and to improve
everything with which you are connected.
Every achievement, every injustice, every inspiration, every
frustration that you notice has something to teach you about
yourself. Learn the lessons well, apply them with true
commitment, and you'll change your world as well as
yourself.
Set a shining example with the way you live each day. For
life is watching and busily following along with your every
move.
Ralph Marston
+++++++++++++++++++
The world around you will follow the example that you set.
The shortcomings in others that frustrate you the most are
able to do so because they resonate with similar
shortcomings in your own life.
Make improvements in your own attitude and behavior, and
you'll see corresponding improvements in those around you.
Focus your own thoughts on the positive possibilities, and
others will pick up on and emulate that focus.
Stop searching for blame and start mending what's broken.
Stop seeking to judge and start putting your values into
positive, productive action.
Your influence is far greater than you now realize. Use that
influence wisely, to build, to grow, and to improve
everything with which you are connected.
Every achievement, every injustice, every inspiration, every
frustration that you notice has something to teach you about
yourself. Learn the lessons well, apply them with true
commitment, and you'll change your world as well as
yourself.
Set a shining example with the way you live each day. For
life is watching and busily following along with your every
move.
Ralph Marston
Acceptance
Acceptance
+++++++++++++++++++
Don't let yourself get too caught up in what could have been,
or would have been, or should have been. Look instead at the
power and possibility of what is.
The things you see as problems are realities that you have
chosen to interpret in a certain way. Consider that you can
view them from a more positive and empowering perspective
any time you wish.
Many of the burdens that weigh you down come from fighting
against what has already happened. Gracefully accept what
is, and experience the enormous sense of freedom that
acceptance brings.
There is real value that exists right now in this moment, in
this situation, in this unique set of circumstances. Allow
yourself to fully accept the reality of what is, and you
compel yourself to uncover that value.
Accept even what you cannot control, and you'll discover
more power and effectiveness in those things you can
control. Accept responsibility for the things that influence
your life, and you'll be able to focus all that energy in a
positive direction.
Accept all that is life, with its many twists and turns, in
whatever way it may come to you. And you'll find real
opportunities for fulfillment and joy.
Ralph Marston
+++++++++++++++++++
Don't let yourself get too caught up in what could have been,
or would have been, or should have been. Look instead at the
power and possibility of what is.
The things you see as problems are realities that you have
chosen to interpret in a certain way. Consider that you can
view them from a more positive and empowering perspective
any time you wish.
Many of the burdens that weigh you down come from fighting
against what has already happened. Gracefully accept what
is, and experience the enormous sense of freedom that
acceptance brings.
There is real value that exists right now in this moment, in
this situation, in this unique set of circumstances. Allow
yourself to fully accept the reality of what is, and you
compel yourself to uncover that value.
Accept even what you cannot control, and you'll discover
more power and effectiveness in those things you can
control. Accept responsibility for the things that influence
your life, and you'll be able to focus all that energy in a
positive direction.
Accept all that is life, with its many twists and turns, in
whatever way it may come to you. And you'll find real
opportunities for fulfillment and joy.
Ralph Marston
When things go wrong
When things go wrong
+++++++++++++++++++
When things go wrong, stop and ask yourself a question. Do
you want to make circumstances worse, or do you wish to make
things better?
Getting angry and resentful will take a bad situation and
make it even more difficult. Focusing solely on who is to
blame and seeking some form of retribution will not solve
the problem.
Instead, step back from what's going on, and make every
effort to look objectively, with an open mind, at all the
factors involved. Take a few moments to calmly put
everything into perspective.
When things go wrong, you will always find an abundance of
opportunities for making a positive difference. Difficult
situations, as undesirable as they may be, often carry with
them valuable possibilities that cannot be found anywhere
else.
Look for a way to respond that will end up putting you in a
stronger position than you were before the setback occurred.
See the situation as an opportunity, and that's what it will
become.
When things go wrong, you have the chance to step forward
and create real, meaningful, and much-needed value. The
momentum you build in doing so will continue to carry you
quickly ahead.
Ralph Marston
+++++++++++++++++++
When things go wrong, stop and ask yourself a question. Do
you want to make circumstances worse, or do you wish to make
things better?
Getting angry and resentful will take a bad situation and
make it even more difficult. Focusing solely on who is to
blame and seeking some form of retribution will not solve
the problem.
Instead, step back from what's going on, and make every
effort to look objectively, with an open mind, at all the
factors involved. Take a few moments to calmly put
everything into perspective.
When things go wrong, you will always find an abundance of
opportunities for making a positive difference. Difficult
situations, as undesirable as they may be, often carry with
them valuable possibilities that cannot be found anywhere
else.
Look for a way to respond that will end up putting you in a
stronger position than you were before the setback occurred.
See the situation as an opportunity, and that's what it will
become.
When things go wrong, you have the chance to step forward
and create real, meaningful, and much-needed value. The
momentum you build in doing so will continue to carry you
quickly ahead.
Ralph Marston
True abundance
Please read them, comtemplate them. If you FEEL they are right inside your soul, then incorprate them into your thinking, acting and every moment of daily life
True abundance
+++++++++++++++++++
Count all the things you have, that money cannot buy, and you
will begin to see how truly rich you are. Be sincerely
thankful for those things, and your gratitude will make you
richer still.
Life is indelibly infused with abundance. Yet that abundance
is experienced only when it is being put to use in an
authentic and meaningful way.
To know great value, allow value to flow from your actions.
Real and meaningful richness cannot help but flow into your
life in equal measure.
Be thankful for what you have, and you will find new ways to
put it to use. Be thankful for what you can do, and you'll
learn to do even more.
Let go of the shallow, worldly ideas of what it means to be
successful. Realize that you are, already and always,
inherently successful.
The biggest blessing is being able to experience and
appreciate your blessings. Choose on this day, and every
day, to bring true abundance to life.
Ralph Marston
True abundance
+++++++++++++++++++
Count all the things you have, that money cannot buy, and you
will begin to see how truly rich you are. Be sincerely
thankful for those things, and your gratitude will make you
richer still.
Life is indelibly infused with abundance. Yet that abundance
is experienced only when it is being put to use in an
authentic and meaningful way.
To know great value, allow value to flow from your actions.
Real and meaningful richness cannot help but flow into your
life in equal measure.
Be thankful for what you have, and you will find new ways to
put it to use. Be thankful for what you can do, and you'll
learn to do even more.
Let go of the shallow, worldly ideas of what it means to be
successful. Realize that you are, already and always,
inherently successful.
The biggest blessing is being able to experience and
appreciate your blessings. Choose on this day, and every
day, to bring true abundance to life.
Ralph Marston
Profound success
Profound success
+++++++++++++++++++
Real success is not merely a matter of getting what you want.
After all, a newborn infant with a loud cry can accomplish
that.
Real success comes from fully being who you are. Real
success comes from giving your own unique value to life.
The less you need, the more fulfilled and powerful and
effective you are. As your peacefulness increases, so does
your energy level.
Choose not to let the small things anger you, or annoy you,
or distract you. And keep in mind that most things are small
things.
Stop fretting so much about whether or not you're getting
your way. Seek instead to relax your judgment, and to find
the unique value that is in each moment.
You cannot ever fully control everything that happens, and
in fact you would not want to do so. Enjoy true success by
learning how to take whatever happens, and to make it work
for the good of all concerned.
Ralph Marston
+++++++++++++++++++
Real success is not merely a matter of getting what you want.
After all, a newborn infant with a loud cry can accomplish
that.
Real success comes from fully being who you are. Real
success comes from giving your own unique value to life.
The less you need, the more fulfilled and powerful and
effective you are. As your peacefulness increases, so does
your energy level.
Choose not to let the small things anger you, or annoy you,
or distract you. And keep in mind that most things are small
things.
Stop fretting so much about whether or not you're getting
your way. Seek instead to relax your judgment, and to find
the unique value that is in each moment.
You cannot ever fully control everything that happens, and
in fact you would not want to do so. Enjoy true success by
learning how to take whatever happens, and to make it work
for the good of all concerned.
Ralph Marston
Become familiar
Become familiar
+++++++++++++++++++
You attract what you are willing to accept. And you are
willing to accept that with which you are the most familiar.
You are the most familiar with the things upon which you
focus the energy of your thoughts. So where are you
directing those thoughts in this moment?
Are your thoughts filled with worry about what you do not
want? Then you'll soon grow to accept those undesirable
things as inevitable, and attract them into your life.
Instead, fill your thoughts with eager anticipation for the
good and desirable things you know are possible. That will
open you to accept those blessings, and they will then flow
into your life.
Through your thoughts you become familiar with life's
various possibilities. Through your thoughts you convince
yourself to accept and embrace certain specific
possibilities.
With your thoughts, become intimately familiar with the
exact details of the life you wish to lead. And those
details will surely assemble themselves into the meaningful
life you seek.
Ralph Marston
+++++++++++++++++++
You attract what you are willing to accept. And you are
willing to accept that with which you are the most familiar.
You are the most familiar with the things upon which you
focus the energy of your thoughts. So where are you
directing those thoughts in this moment?
Are your thoughts filled with worry about what you do not
want? Then you'll soon grow to accept those undesirable
things as inevitable, and attract them into your life.
Instead, fill your thoughts with eager anticipation for the
good and desirable things you know are possible. That will
open you to accept those blessings, and they will then flow
into your life.
Through your thoughts you become familiar with life's
various possibilities. Through your thoughts you convince
yourself to accept and embrace certain specific
possibilities.
With your thoughts, become intimately familiar with the
exact details of the life you wish to lead. And those
details will surely assemble themselves into the meaningful
life you seek.
Ralph Marston
The most important day
The most important day
+++++++++++++++++++
This is the most important day in your life. Because this is
the day that you are now living.
If your life is headed in an undesirable direction, this is
the day you can change it. If there are dreams you are
longing to fulfill, this is the day you can follow them.
This day, right now, is the day when you can put to use all
the knowledge, experience and wisdom you've accumulated. On
this very day, you can do the things you've been meaning to
do and connect with the people you've been meaning to see.
On this day, you have a world full of choices. On this day,
there are more possibilities than ever before.
Of all the days you've ever lived, and of all the days to
come, this is the one special day that now matters the most.
For it is on this very day that you can now think and speak
and act and love and live.
Give yourself a quiet, peaceful moment, and grasp the
immense value that is now yours on this very day. Then step
forward and fill it with beautiful life.
Ralph Marston
+++++++++++++++++++
This is the most important day in your life. Because this is
the day that you are now living.
If your life is headed in an undesirable direction, this is
the day you can change it. If there are dreams you are
longing to fulfill, this is the day you can follow them.
This day, right now, is the day when you can put to use all
the knowledge, experience and wisdom you've accumulated. On
this very day, you can do the things you've been meaning to
do and connect with the people you've been meaning to see.
On this day, you have a world full of choices. On this day,
there are more possibilities than ever before.
Of all the days you've ever lived, and of all the days to
come, this is the one special day that now matters the most.
For it is on this very day that you can now think and speak
and act and love and live.
Give yourself a quiet, peaceful moment, and grasp the
immense value that is now yours on this very day. Then step
forward and fill it with beautiful life.
Ralph Marston
Know that there's value
Know that there's value
+++++++++++++++++++
Anything that annoys you gives you the opportunity to build
patience. Anything that interrupts or delays your plans
gives you the opportunity to strengthen your level of
acceptance.
Challenges provide you with the chance to learn new skills.
Disappointments can help you open yourself to new, more
valuable options.
Many of life's best treasures do not seem to be treasures at
all when they first arrive. They gain their value as you
accept them and find ways to make positive use of them.
Do you ever feel yourself getting annoyed or frustrated?
Remember that there's an opportunity in there somewhere.
Do things sometimes not work out as planned? The more
quickly you accept what has happened, the more real and
positive value you'll gain from the experience.
Whatever may come your way, it is an opportunity to live
more fully. Know that there's value in every twist and turn,
and you'll surely tap into that value.
Ralph Marston
+++++++++++++++++++
Anything that annoys you gives you the opportunity to build
patience. Anything that interrupts or delays your plans
gives you the opportunity to strengthen your level of
acceptance.
Challenges provide you with the chance to learn new skills.
Disappointments can help you open yourself to new, more
valuable options.
Many of life's best treasures do not seem to be treasures at
all when they first arrive. They gain their value as you
accept them and find ways to make positive use of them.
Do you ever feel yourself getting annoyed or frustrated?
Remember that there's an opportunity in there somewhere.
Do things sometimes not work out as planned? The more
quickly you accept what has happened, the more real and
positive value you'll gain from the experience.
Whatever may come your way, it is an opportunity to live
more fully. Know that there's value in every twist and turn,
and you'll surely tap into that value.
Ralph Marston
Energy flow
Energy flow
+++++++++++++++++++
Where do you find the energy to move forward? It is all
around you, in every situation and occurrence.
There is energy in joy, and there is also energy in
frustration. There is energy in peace, and energy in sadness
as well.
All of it is energy that you can choose to direct toward
positive purposes. The particular source of the energy is
not nearly as important as what you decide to do with it.
There is no end to the supply of raw energy coming into your
life. And you have the opportunity to make meaningful use of
it all.
If your life has no guiding purpose, all that energy, coming
from so many directions, will keep you in a constant state
of turmoil. Or, you can harness that energy and let it all
move you powerfully toward the fulfillment of your dreams.
Every moment of every day, life's energy is coming your way.
Take it all in, and make it into something magnificent.
Ralph Marston
+++++++++++++++++++
Where do you find the energy to move forward? It is all
around you, in every situation and occurrence.
There is energy in joy, and there is also energy in
frustration. There is energy in peace, and energy in sadness
as well.
All of it is energy that you can choose to direct toward
positive purposes. The particular source of the energy is
not nearly as important as what you decide to do with it.
There is no end to the supply of raw energy coming into your
life. And you have the opportunity to make meaningful use of
it all.
If your life has no guiding purpose, all that energy, coming
from so many directions, will keep you in a constant state
of turmoil. Or, you can harness that energy and let it all
move you powerfully toward the fulfillment of your dreams.
Every moment of every day, life's energy is coming your way.
Take it all in, and make it into something magnificent.
Ralph Marston
Dare to imagine
Dare to imagine
+++++++++++++++++++
In your mind you can go anywhere. And where your mind
consistently goes, the rest of your life will follow.
There is no limit to what you can imagine. And what you
imagine, you have already begun to create.
Allow your thoughts to travel often to beautiful and
magnificent places. In your mind, construct all the rich
details of the life you wish to live.
In order to reach for a dream, you must know what it looks
like, how it feels, and where it is. Long before you
actually get there, your mind can enable you to experience
all these things.
Every success is first a success of the imagination. What
wonderful pathways will you dare to imagine?
Set your imagination free, and it will show you who you are.
Let imagination guide your efforts, and your dreams will be
fulfilled.
Ralph Marston
+++++++++++++++++++
In your mind you can go anywhere. And where your mind
consistently goes, the rest of your life will follow.
There is no limit to what you can imagine. And what you
imagine, you have already begun to create.
Allow your thoughts to travel often to beautiful and
magnificent places. In your mind, construct all the rich
details of the life you wish to live.
In order to reach for a dream, you must know what it looks
like, how it feels, and where it is. Long before you
actually get there, your mind can enable you to experience
all these things.
Every success is first a success of the imagination. What
wonderful pathways will you dare to imagine?
Set your imagination free, and it will show you who you are.
Let imagination guide your efforts, and your dreams will be
fulfilled.
Ralph Marston
Make a gift
Make a gift
+++++++++++++++++++
Those who achieve are those who give. The greatest leaders
are the leaders who are most devoted to service.
Every encounter, every challenge, every relationship, every
situation is an opportunity to give of yourself. Each day
brings with it new ways to create value for the people
around you.
Think of the individuals you most sincerely admire. You'll
see that they all make it a habit to give of themselves to
life.
It is not always easy to give of yourself. It takes
discipline, commitment, creativity, humility, preparation,
effort and resilience.
What it brings is true fulfillment. Give your best to each
moment, and you fill the world with rich meaning.
Do the work, make the commitment, and discover all the good
and valuable things you have to give. Make a gift of who you
are, and be amazed at what you become.
Ralph Marston
+++++++++++++++++++
Those who achieve are those who give. The greatest leaders
are the leaders who are most devoted to service.
Every encounter, every challenge, every relationship, every
situation is an opportunity to give of yourself. Each day
brings with it new ways to create value for the people
around you.
Think of the individuals you most sincerely admire. You'll
see that they all make it a habit to give of themselves to
life.
It is not always easy to give of yourself. It takes
discipline, commitment, creativity, humility, preparation,
effort and resilience.
What it brings is true fulfillment. Give your best to each
moment, and you fill the world with rich meaning.
Do the work, make the commitment, and discover all the good
and valuable things you have to give. Make a gift of who you
are, and be amazed at what you become.
Ralph Marston
Courage
Courage
+++++++++++++++++++
Where does courage come from? What brings courage to life?
Courage is the commitment to do what you know is right.
Courage arises when your integrity will not allow any other
choice.
Courage comes from following a purpose that goes beyond your
own petty concerns. Because of that, courage gives
far-reaching power and consequence to your actions.
In the short term, courage can often appear foolish. In the
long run, courage has the power to move the whole world in a
positive direction.
Courage asks much of you, yet it is not complicated and is
always within your reach. Courage is truth put into action.
In every moment, courage is there for you to choose. In
every moment, courage is the choice that will fulfill the
best of who you are.
Ralph Marston
+++++++++++++++++++
Where does courage come from? What brings courage to life?
Courage is the commitment to do what you know is right.
Courage arises when your integrity will not allow any other
choice.
Courage comes from following a purpose that goes beyond your
own petty concerns. Because of that, courage gives
far-reaching power and consequence to your actions.
In the short term, courage can often appear foolish. In the
long run, courage has the power to move the whole world in a
positive direction.
Courage asks much of you, yet it is not complicated and is
always within your reach. Courage is truth put into action.
In every moment, courage is there for you to choose. In
every moment, courage is the choice that will fulfill the
best of who you are.
Ralph Marston
Decide today
Decide today
+++++++++++++++++++
Decide today that you will have no regrets. And you'll free
up much time to actually get things done.
Decide today that you'll have no complaints. And your
thoughts can be focused on creative, productive pursuits.
Decide today that you'll carry no anger or resentment. And
you'll bring out the best in those around you.
Decide today to be accepting of whatever comes your way. And
you'll discover much value that would otherwise be hidden.
Decide today to be sincerely thankful for every moment. And
you'll be delighted at how beautiful and filled with
opportunity the world becomes.
Decide today to be truly alive. And joy will pour forth from
your soul.
Ralph Marston
+++++++++++++++++++
Decide today that you will have no regrets. And you'll free
up much time to actually get things done.
Decide today that you'll have no complaints. And your
thoughts can be focused on creative, productive pursuits.
Decide today that you'll carry no anger or resentment. And
you'll bring out the best in those around you.
Decide today to be accepting of whatever comes your way. And
you'll discover much value that would otherwise be hidden.
Decide today to be sincerely thankful for every moment. And
you'll be delighted at how beautiful and filled with
opportunity the world becomes.
Decide today to be truly alive. And joy will pour forth from
your soul.
Ralph Marston
Allow
Allow
+++++++++++++++++++
The solutions to your most difficult problems already exist.
Open yourself to their possibility and you will most
certainly discover them.
Whatever you desire is already connected to who you are and
what you now have. Bring that connection to life with your
thoughts, your feelings and your actions.
Your worries, complaints, anger and resentment cast a dark
fog on the world that appears in front of you. That prevents
you from seeing all the good things already available to
you.
Accept that anger, that resentment, those worries, and then
quickly let them go. Allow yourself to enter fully into this
moment that is now, with a clear mind and a peaceful heart.
Allow the joy, allow the sadness, allow the triumphs, the
disappointments, the rich texture and fullness of life.
Allow it all to work for you, and to carry you steadily
toward the ever-increasing fulfillment of your very own
special purpose.
Make loving use of this day to do what you can do, from
where you are, with what you have. Trust that it will move
you quickly forward, and it surely will.
Ralph Marston
+++++++++++++++++++
The solutions to your most difficult problems already exist.
Open yourself to their possibility and you will most
certainly discover them.
Whatever you desire is already connected to who you are and
what you now have. Bring that connection to life with your
thoughts, your feelings and your actions.
Your worries, complaints, anger and resentment cast a dark
fog on the world that appears in front of you. That prevents
you from seeing all the good things already available to
you.
Accept that anger, that resentment, those worries, and then
quickly let them go. Allow yourself to enter fully into this
moment that is now, with a clear mind and a peaceful heart.
Allow the joy, allow the sadness, allow the triumphs, the
disappointments, the rich texture and fullness of life.
Allow it all to work for you, and to carry you steadily
toward the ever-increasing fulfillment of your very own
special purpose.
Make loving use of this day to do what you can do, from
where you are, with what you have. Trust that it will move
you quickly forward, and it surely will.
Ralph Marston
Beyond the limits of time
Beyond the limits of time
+++++++++++++++++++
No matter what you do, you cannot change the number of hours
in the day. Yet you have an enormous impact over what goes
into those hours, and what comes from them.
Fill the hours with purpose, and the passing of time works
in your favor. Fill your days with meaning, with creativity,
with goodness, joy and love, and each day leaves behind
lasting value for your world.
Does it seem that there's never enough time to get it all
done? Align your efforts more closely with your true
purpose, and you'll find that those efforts quickly become
much more effective.
Or does it feel like time is passing too slowly? Choose to
put more meaning in each moment, and those moments will move
quickly along.
Let go of your concerns about the speed at which time is
passing, for time is nothing more than an arbitrary measure.
What matters is what you do with each moment now as you live
it.
Take your eyes off the clock and look instead toward your
highest vision of what life can be. Fill the world with your
own unique beauty, and go beyond the limits of time.
Ralph Marston
+++++++++++++++++++
No matter what you do, you cannot change the number of hours
in the day. Yet you have an enormous impact over what goes
into those hours, and what comes from them.
Fill the hours with purpose, and the passing of time works
in your favor. Fill your days with meaning, with creativity,
with goodness, joy and love, and each day leaves behind
lasting value for your world.
Does it seem that there's never enough time to get it all
done? Align your efforts more closely with your true
purpose, and you'll find that those efforts quickly become
much more effective.
Or does it feel like time is passing too slowly? Choose to
put more meaning in each moment, and those moments will move
quickly along.
Let go of your concerns about the speed at which time is
passing, for time is nothing more than an arbitrary measure.
What matters is what you do with each moment now as you live
it.
Take your eyes off the clock and look instead toward your
highest vision of what life can be. Fill the world with your
own unique beauty, and go beyond the limits of time.
Ralph Marston
Live the richness
Live the richness
+++++++++++++++++++
What's so great about today? That's for you to decide,
determine and fulfill.
Is there any reason for today to be a memorable one? There
is when you create a good reason.
This day does not have to be bland and indistinguishable
from all the others. Because you are here to make it
special.
There is something exciting and compelling that you've been
meaning to do. Today is when you can put your plans into
action.
Today is the moment to give life to your dreams. Today is
your opportunity to offer your dreams to life.
Take a deep, slow breath, and focus on all the positive
possibilities that are here on this day. Then get up, go out
and live the richness.
Ralph Marston
+++++++++++++++++++
What's so great about today? That's for you to decide,
determine and fulfill.
Is there any reason for today to be a memorable one? There
is when you create a good reason.
This day does not have to be bland and indistinguishable
from all the others. Because you are here to make it
special.
There is something exciting and compelling that you've been
meaning to do. Today is when you can put your plans into
action.
Today is the moment to give life to your dreams. Today is
your opportunity to offer your dreams to life.
Take a deep, slow breath, and focus on all the positive
possibilities that are here on this day. Then get up, go out
and live the richness.
Ralph Marston
Recover
Recover
+++++++++++++++++++
If, at some point, your day gets pushed in a negative
direction, it doesn't have to stay that way. You can quickly
and completely recover.
The distractions and disruptions will surely come along. Yet
you do not have to let any of them ruin your whole day.
There's never any need to wait until tomorrow to make a
fresh start. Instead, you can choose to immediately let go
of whatever has thrown you off course.
You can decide to begin moving forward again right away.
Keep in mind that the number of times you fall is not nearly
as important as how quickly you get back up.
Don't allow an isolated frustration, disappointment or
change in plans to turn into a whole day's worth of negative
momentum. Instead of feeling sorry for yourself, you can be
moving forward.
Recover quickly, get back up and get going again with
renewed determination. Nothing will be able to hold you back
for long.
Ralph Marston
+++++++++++++++++++
If, at some point, your day gets pushed in a negative
direction, it doesn't have to stay that way. You can quickly
and completely recover.
The distractions and disruptions will surely come along. Yet
you do not have to let any of them ruin your whole day.
There's never any need to wait until tomorrow to make a
fresh start. Instead, you can choose to immediately let go
of whatever has thrown you off course.
You can decide to begin moving forward again right away.
Keep in mind that the number of times you fall is not nearly
as important as how quickly you get back up.
Don't allow an isolated frustration, disappointment or
change in plans to turn into a whole day's worth of negative
momentum. Instead of feeling sorry for yourself, you can be
moving forward.
Recover quickly, get back up and get going again with
renewed determination. Nothing will be able to hold you back
for long.
Ralph Marston
Lift the fog
Lift the fog
+++++++++++++++++++
Negative thoughts fog your thinking and your perception. With
each doubt, with each frustration, with each fear the fog
grows heavier.
After a while, it becomes difficult to see how to move
forward. And that just makes the fog even thicker.
The fog of negative thinking prevents you from seeing and
acting on your best possibilities. Instead of focusing on
moving forward, you're able only to give your attention to
the petty distractions of the moment.
There is something, though, that will burn off that fog. It
is determined, passionate, meaningful intention.
Give your energy to positive purpose, and the fog will begin
to lift. Then step confidently through what's left of the
fog, and you'll quickly leave it behind.
At times it may seem that there's no escaping the fog of
your negative thoughts, yet at any time you can choose to be
free. Fill your spirit with true purpose, and your best
possibilities will come clearly into view.
Ralph Marston
+++++++++++++++++++
Negative thoughts fog your thinking and your perception. With
each doubt, with each frustration, with each fear the fog
grows heavier.
After a while, it becomes difficult to see how to move
forward. And that just makes the fog even thicker.
The fog of negative thinking prevents you from seeing and
acting on your best possibilities. Instead of focusing on
moving forward, you're able only to give your attention to
the petty distractions of the moment.
There is something, though, that will burn off that fog. It
is determined, passionate, meaningful intention.
Give your energy to positive purpose, and the fog will begin
to lift. Then step confidently through what's left of the
fog, and you'll quickly leave it behind.
At times it may seem that there's no escaping the fog of
your negative thoughts, yet at any time you can choose to be
free. Fill your spirit with true purpose, and your best
possibilities will come clearly into view.
Ralph Marston
Good luck
Good luck
+++++++++++++++++++
Good luck comes to those who create it. Good luck comes to
those who take a positive approach to every moment.
The universe is overflowing with abundance. Those people who
are considered lucky are the people who choose to see that
abundance, to accept it and to make the most of it.
Good fortune comes most often in the form of opportunity.
When you are prepared to make use of the opportunity, you'll
be lucky enough to enjoy the good fortune.
You are already extraordinarily lucky because you're alive,
aware, and able to make a difference. Choose to fulfill the
best of your possibilities, and your good fortune will
surely increase.
See each day as an opportunity to create real and lasting
value. Know that each encounter is your way to make a
positive difference in the lives of others.
Your luck is what you make it. Decide today to make it the
best that it can be.
Ralph Marston
+++++++++++++++++++
Good luck comes to those who create it. Good luck comes to
those who take a positive approach to every moment.
The universe is overflowing with abundance. Those people who
are considered lucky are the people who choose to see that
abundance, to accept it and to make the most of it.
Good fortune comes most often in the form of opportunity.
When you are prepared to make use of the opportunity, you'll
be lucky enough to enjoy the good fortune.
You are already extraordinarily lucky because you're alive,
aware, and able to make a difference. Choose to fulfill the
best of your possibilities, and your good fortune will
surely increase.
See each day as an opportunity to create real and lasting
value. Know that each encounter is your way to make a
positive difference in the lives of others.
Your luck is what you make it. Decide today to make it the
best that it can be.
Ralph Marston
Do you know?
Do you know?
+++++++++++++++++++
Have you noticed how beautiful life is today? Look around
with thankful, loving eyes and you'll see.
Can you comprehend how many wonderful possibilities are
available to you right now? Follow one or two of them, and
you'll understand.
Do you realize how creative and effective you can be? Allow
your thoughts, words and actions to express what's in your
heart, and you'll discover.
Are you aware how much of a difference you can make in the
world? Move forward with sincerity and positive purpose, and
you'll be astonished at what you can accomplish.
Do you know all the good things you're capable of achieving?
Make use of this moment to begin to find out.
The possibilities for joy and fulfillment are all around
you. Jump in right now and explore them fully.
Ralph Marston
+++++++++++++++++++
Have you noticed how beautiful life is today? Look around
with thankful, loving eyes and you'll see.
Can you comprehend how many wonderful possibilities are
available to you right now? Follow one or two of them, and
you'll understand.
Do you realize how creative and effective you can be? Allow
your thoughts, words and actions to express what's in your
heart, and you'll discover.
Are you aware how much of a difference you can make in the
world? Move forward with sincerity and positive purpose, and
you'll be astonished at what you can accomplish.
Do you know all the good things you're capable of achieving?
Make use of this moment to begin to find out.
The possibilities for joy and fulfillment are all around
you. Jump in right now and explore them fully.
Ralph Marston
The value of forgiveness
The value of forgiveness
+++++++++++++++++++
Forgiveness can indeed be difficult. Yet in the long run, it
is far easier to forgive than to live with resentment or
continuing retribution.
Through forgiveness, you can move away from the pains of the
past. With forgiveness, you can achieve real freedom.
There are always opportunities to benefit from the value of
forgiveness. You can forgive yourself, you can forgive
others, and you can forgive even when you don't know exactly
who to forgive.
Because forgiveness is not about who is to blame or who is
at fault. Forgiveness is mostly about letting go, completely
and permanently, within yourself.
Forgiveness is recognizing the reality that what has
happened has happened, and that there's no point in allowing
it to dominate your life. Forgiveness refreshingly clears
the slate and enables you to move positively forward.
Carrying around a load of resentment can be an enormous and
unnecessary burden. Forgive early and often, and you'll
considerably lighten your load.
Ralph Marston
+++++++++++++++++++
Forgiveness can indeed be difficult. Yet in the long run, it
is far easier to forgive than to live with resentment or
continuing retribution.
Through forgiveness, you can move away from the pains of the
past. With forgiveness, you can achieve real freedom.
There are always opportunities to benefit from the value of
forgiveness. You can forgive yourself, you can forgive
others, and you can forgive even when you don't know exactly
who to forgive.
Because forgiveness is not about who is to blame or who is
at fault. Forgiveness is mostly about letting go, completely
and permanently, within yourself.
Forgiveness is recognizing the reality that what has
happened has happened, and that there's no point in allowing
it to dominate your life. Forgiveness refreshingly clears
the slate and enables you to move positively forward.
Carrying around a load of resentment can be an enormous and
unnecessary burden. Forgive early and often, and you'll
considerably lighten your load.
Ralph Marston
Live by intention
Live by intention
+++++++++++++++++++
Think before you do. Don't just automatically react to life
or live by blind habit.
Think about what you're about to do, and think about the
consequences. Remember that when you choose the action,
you're also choosing all the things that result from that
action.
When you choose to eat half a dozen doughnuts, you're
choosing to put fat on your body. When you choose to be
sloppy with your work, you're choosing to sabotage your own
career.
When you choose to rise early and start getting things done,
you're choosing to create real and lasting value in your own
life and in the world around you. When you choose to stay
focused on an important task, you're choosing to enjoy the
rewards that come from real accomplishment.
Live your life based on your own best intentions. Each
action you take has very real consequences, and you are in a
position to select the exact consequences that you wish to
bring about.
It only takes a brief moment to think before you act. Do it
every time, and your life will follow the precise path you
choose.
Ralph Marston
+++++++++++++++++++
Think before you do. Don't just automatically react to life
or live by blind habit.
Think about what you're about to do, and think about the
consequences. Remember that when you choose the action,
you're also choosing all the things that result from that
action.
When you choose to eat half a dozen doughnuts, you're
choosing to put fat on your body. When you choose to be
sloppy with your work, you're choosing to sabotage your own
career.
When you choose to rise early and start getting things done,
you're choosing to create real and lasting value in your own
life and in the world around you. When you choose to stay
focused on an important task, you're choosing to enjoy the
rewards that come from real accomplishment.
Live your life based on your own best intentions. Each
action you take has very real consequences, and you are in a
position to select the exact consequences that you wish to
bring about.
It only takes a brief moment to think before you act. Do it
every time, and your life will follow the precise path you
choose.
Ralph Marston
Keep moving
Keep moving
+++++++++++++++++++
When the path becomes difficult, that's no reason to give up.
In fact, it means you're making real progress.
The mountain becomes more rugged and steep the closer you
get to the summit. Keep going, keep climbing, keep making
the effort, and soon you'll find yourself reaching the top.
The challenges you encounter are unquestionable proof that
you're making a positive difference. Make use of those
challenges, not as an excuse to stop, but rather as a
platform from which to push forward.
For the greatest achievements come in response to the
greatest challenges. When the going gets rough, you are most
certainly in the presence of profound opportunity.
When there is much that must be done, there is enormous
value waiting to be created. Step boldly forward and claim
that value.
Whatever may come, whatever may seem to block your path,
choose to keep moving. There are truly magnificent rewards
just on the other side of your persistent efforts.
Ralph Marston
+++++++++++++++++++
When the path becomes difficult, that's no reason to give up.
In fact, it means you're making real progress.
The mountain becomes more rugged and steep the closer you
get to the summit. Keep going, keep climbing, keep making
the effort, and soon you'll find yourself reaching the top.
The challenges you encounter are unquestionable proof that
you're making a positive difference. Make use of those
challenges, not as an excuse to stop, but rather as a
platform from which to push forward.
For the greatest achievements come in response to the
greatest challenges. When the going gets rough, you are most
certainly in the presence of profound opportunity.
When there is much that must be done, there is enormous
value waiting to be created. Step boldly forward and claim
that value.
Whatever may come, whatever may seem to block your path,
choose to keep moving. There are truly magnificent rewards
just on the other side of your persistent efforts.
Ralph Marston
Focus on it
Focus on it
+++++++++++++++++++
The influence of anything in your life is determined
primarily by the amount of focus you give to it. Your focus
can make things bigger or smaller, depending on its
direction and intensity.
Have you ever been so totally engrossed by some little
something that you completely forgot about everything else
for a moment? It can indeed be startling when you experience
the raw power of your own focus.
And you can choose at any time to put that power to use. By
directing your focus, you can positively affect every corner
of your life.
What things would you like to make more abundant in your
world? Focus the energy of your thoughts on them and they
will grow.
Have you been disappointed, slighted, frustrated, angered or
insulted? Point your focus toward the positive, fulfilling
possibilities and you'll quickly put the negativity behind
you.
Focus can get you moving forward with a powerful, nearly
unstoppable momentum. Focus on the world you would most like
to see, and with the power of focus you will make it appear.
Ralph Marston
+++++++++++++++++++
The influence of anything in your life is determined
primarily by the amount of focus you give to it. Your focus
can make things bigger or smaller, depending on its
direction and intensity.
Have you ever been so totally engrossed by some little
something that you completely forgot about everything else
for a moment? It can indeed be startling when you experience
the raw power of your own focus.
And you can choose at any time to put that power to use. By
directing your focus, you can positively affect every corner
of your life.
What things would you like to make more abundant in your
world? Focus the energy of your thoughts on them and they
will grow.
Have you been disappointed, slighted, frustrated, angered or
insulted? Point your focus toward the positive, fulfilling
possibilities and you'll quickly put the negativity behind
you.
Focus can get you moving forward with a powerful, nearly
unstoppable momentum. Focus on the world you would most like
to see, and with the power of focus you will make it appear.
Ralph Marston
Having enough
Having enough
+++++++++++++++++++
The only difference between needing more and having enough is
your attitude. At any time, in any circumstance, you always
have the option of deciding that you are enough, and that
you already have enough for the moment you're in.
Always longing for more will eventually wear you down into a
painful, frustrating and overwhelming sense of
disillusionment. Having enough, on the other hand, puts you
into a peaceful, positive and productive state of mind.
Just imagine how completely satisfying it would be to
suddenly have everything you need. You can know that
satisfaction right now, in this very moment, just by
allowing yourself to have enough.
It costs you nothing to decide that you have enough. For
having enough does not preclude you from creating more
abundance in your life.
In fact, having enough sets your creativity free and allows
your effectiveness to soar to new heights. When you get away
from the stifling mindset of lack and limitation, truly
magnificent things will happen.
By having enough, your struggles disappear and are replaced
with countless opportunities for real joy. See right now
that you have enough, and delight in the warm and genuine
richness it brings.
Ralph Marston
+++++++++++++++++++
The only difference between needing more and having enough is
your attitude. At any time, in any circumstance, you always
have the option of deciding that you are enough, and that
you already have enough for the moment you're in.
Always longing for more will eventually wear you down into a
painful, frustrating and overwhelming sense of
disillusionment. Having enough, on the other hand, puts you
into a peaceful, positive and productive state of mind.
Just imagine how completely satisfying it would be to
suddenly have everything you need. You can know that
satisfaction right now, in this very moment, just by
allowing yourself to have enough.
It costs you nothing to decide that you have enough. For
having enough does not preclude you from creating more
abundance in your life.
In fact, having enough sets your creativity free and allows
your effectiveness to soar to new heights. When you get away
from the stifling mindset of lack and limitation, truly
magnificent things will happen.
By having enough, your struggles disappear and are replaced
with countless opportunities for real joy. See right now
that you have enough, and delight in the warm and genuine
richness it brings.
Ralph Marston
Thoughts into joy
Thoughts into joy
+++++++++++++++++++
Your thoughts are what frighten you. Choose to change them,
and the fear is gone.
Your thoughts are what cause you to be frustrated, angry,
disappointed, impatient and uncomfortable. And your thoughts
can also take you far away from all those things.
For your thoughts can transform anger into forgiveness,
disappointment into determination, discomfort into
inspiration, and fear into love. The choice is always yours.
The world is what it is. Yet your thoughts determine how you
situate yourself into the world.
By controlling your thoughts you control the kind of world
in which you live. At the times when you realize it, and at
the times when you don't, you are always controlling your
thoughts.
Deep inside you is a beautiful, unique person who seeks true
joy and fulfillment. Let your thoughts resonate with the
genuine person you are, and that joy does surely come.
Ralph Marston
+++++++++++++++++++
Your thoughts are what frighten you. Choose to change them,
and the fear is gone.
Your thoughts are what cause you to be frustrated, angry,
disappointed, impatient and uncomfortable. And your thoughts
can also take you far away from all those things.
For your thoughts can transform anger into forgiveness,
disappointment into determination, discomfort into
inspiration, and fear into love. The choice is always yours.
The world is what it is. Yet your thoughts determine how you
situate yourself into the world.
By controlling your thoughts you control the kind of world
in which you live. At the times when you realize it, and at
the times when you don't, you are always controlling your
thoughts.
Deep inside you is a beautiful, unique person who seeks true
joy and fulfillment. Let your thoughts resonate with the
genuine person you are, and that joy does surely come.
Ralph Marston
Gloriously difficult
Gloriously difficult
+++++++++++++++++++
Life is gloriously difficult. The universe is wonderfully
complex.
Every new discovery opens the door for even more
discoveries. Every challenge you work through enables you to
move on to even greater and more fulfilling challenges.
Instead of fighting against the difficulty, celebrate it.
Embrace the challenges and you'll find profound value in
them.
Instead of being frustrated and confused by the complexity,
dive in and experience its richness. Though you'll never
understand it all, you can always understand more.
Circumstances change from moment to moment, and life is
continually renewed. Though changes can often be painful, a
life with no change at all would be unbearably empty.
With its many ups and downs and twists and turns, life is
happening all around you. Remember how truly fortunate you
are, take it all in, and make your own special greatness.
Ralph Marston
+++++++++++++++++++
Life is gloriously difficult. The universe is wonderfully
complex.
Every new discovery opens the door for even more
discoveries. Every challenge you work through enables you to
move on to even greater and more fulfilling challenges.
Instead of fighting against the difficulty, celebrate it.
Embrace the challenges and you'll find profound value in
them.
Instead of being frustrated and confused by the complexity,
dive in and experience its richness. Though you'll never
understand it all, you can always understand more.
Circumstances change from moment to moment, and life is
continually renewed. Though changes can often be painful, a
life with no change at all would be unbearably empty.
With its many ups and downs and twists and turns, life is
happening all around you. Remember how truly fortunate you
are, take it all in, and make your own special greatness.
Ralph Marston
Be willing
Be willing
+++++++++++++++++++
What are you willing to create in your life? How are you
willing to spend the precious resource of your time, and
what are you willing to accomplish?
There are countless things that you are able to do. What
matters is what you are willing to do.
Life is filled with things that you wish for, that you see
yourself as needing, that you feel you must do, and that you
think you can't live without. The attainment and fulfillment
of each of these things depends on whether you are willing
or whether you are not.
You can make magnificent promises, you can make
understandable excuses, you can set goals, and you can make
impressive plans. Yet it all comes down to what you are
willing to do, where you are willing to take yourself, and
how you are willing to live.
Skills, training, resources, connections and experience are
all very helpful. In the end, though, what will make it
happen is your willingness.
What are you willing to do with the spectacular opportunity
that is your life? Be willing, and it will surely happen.
Ralph Marston
+++++++++++++++++++
What are you willing to create in your life? How are you
willing to spend the precious resource of your time, and
what are you willing to accomplish?
There are countless things that you are able to do. What
matters is what you are willing to do.
Life is filled with things that you wish for, that you see
yourself as needing, that you feel you must do, and that you
think you can't live without. The attainment and fulfillment
of each of these things depends on whether you are willing
or whether you are not.
You can make magnificent promises, you can make
understandable excuses, you can set goals, and you can make
impressive plans. Yet it all comes down to what you are
willing to do, where you are willing to take yourself, and
how you are willing to live.
Skills, training, resources, connections and experience are
all very helpful. In the end, though, what will make it
happen is your willingness.
What are you willing to do with the spectacular opportunity
that is your life? Be willing, and it will surely happen.
Ralph Marston
Earning confidence
Earning confidence
+++++++++++++++++++
Even the smallest accomplishment will boost your confidence
level. And with increased confidence, you can set your
sights on a larger accomplishment.
Confidence is not something that comes to just a lucky few.
Confidence is not something that anyone else can simply hand
over to you.
You can't buy confidence, you can't inherit it, and you
cannot gain it by taking it away from others. Everyone who
has real confidence has earned it, one accomplishment at a
time.
Start with what you have, with what you know you can do, and
then add a little challenge to it. Soon you'll know without
a doubt that you can do even more.
As your confidence grows, so will your achievements, because
the biggest achievements come to those who have the
confidence to take on the most difficult challenges.
Confidence requires work, and it is well worth the effort.
Use every opportunity to earn yourself more confidence, and
many valuable doors will continue opening for you.
Ralph Marston
............................................................................
+++++++++++++++++++
Even the smallest accomplishment will boost your confidence
level. And with increased confidence, you can set your
sights on a larger accomplishment.
Confidence is not something that comes to just a lucky few.
Confidence is not something that anyone else can simply hand
over to you.
You can't buy confidence, you can't inherit it, and you
cannot gain it by taking it away from others. Everyone who
has real confidence has earned it, one accomplishment at a
time.
Start with what you have, with what you know you can do, and
then add a little challenge to it. Soon you'll know without
a doubt that you can do even more.
As your confidence grows, so will your achievements, because
the biggest achievements come to those who have the
confidence to take on the most difficult challenges.
Confidence requires work, and it is well worth the effort.
Use every opportunity to earn yourself more confidence, and
many valuable doors will continue opening for you.
Ralph Marston
............................................................................
Before
Before
+++++++++++++++++++
Seek to understand before you attempt to judge. Opinions
formed in haste can often be the source of great trouble and
needless hostility.
Take the time to think and to plan before you act. Though it
is essential that you do take action, it is best when you've
carefully thought it through.
Replenish what you need before it runs completely out.
You'll avoid wasted time and effort as well as much anxiety
and expense.
Think about your true purpose before making any commitments.
You're much more effective and fulfilled when following a
path that resonates with who you sincerely are.
Look carefully and thoughtfully at where you're going long
before you actually get there. Not only will you be more
fully prepared once you arrive, you'll avoid any wasted
effort spent getting to where you don't even want to go.
Many things in life can be dramatically more enjoyable and
productive when you have the forethought to do certain other
things first. Think, consider, plan and prepare before you
do, and then you'll be able to truly delight in the doing.
Ralph Marston
+++++++++++++++++++
Seek to understand before you attempt to judge. Opinions
formed in haste can often be the source of great trouble and
needless hostility.
Take the time to think and to plan before you act. Though it
is essential that you do take action, it is best when you've
carefully thought it through.
Replenish what you need before it runs completely out.
You'll avoid wasted time and effort as well as much anxiety
and expense.
Think about your true purpose before making any commitments.
You're much more effective and fulfilled when following a
path that resonates with who you sincerely are.
Look carefully and thoughtfully at where you're going long
before you actually get there. Not only will you be more
fully prepared once you arrive, you'll avoid any wasted
effort spent getting to where you don't even want to go.
Many things in life can be dramatically more enjoyable and
productive when you have the forethought to do certain other
things first. Think, consider, plan and prepare before you
do, and then you'll be able to truly delight in the doing.
Ralph Marston
Steady and sustainable
Steady and sustainable
+++++++++++++++++++
When you're too busy to take a break, that's when a taking a
break will do you the most good. Sometimes you reach a point
at which the fastest way to go forward is to slow down a
bit.
When you rush through your work, never pausing to catch your
breath, you're likely to make all sorts of mistakes. Then
you'll have to spend time later correcting those mistakes,
so the time you gain by hurrying is quickly lost and then
exceeded by the toll it takes.
Consider taking a break, clearing your mind and energizing
your body. The work will still be there when you get back,
and by getting away from it for a while you'll be in a much
better position to handle it effectively.
It's great to be ambitious and eager to get the job done.
Yet there is nothing to be gained by working until you drop.
The more you focus on the deadline itself, the less likely
you are to meet it, so put your focus on getting the job
done at a steady and sustainable pace. Instead of worrying
about running out of time, completely let go of the worry
and make calm, deliberate use of the time.
Don't put yourself behind by attempting to go too far too
fast. Move at a pace that enables you to be your best, for
that is what will move you ahead most quickly.
Ralph Marston
+++++++++++++++++++
When you're too busy to take a break, that's when a taking a
break will do you the most good. Sometimes you reach a point
at which the fastest way to go forward is to slow down a
bit.
When you rush through your work, never pausing to catch your
breath, you're likely to make all sorts of mistakes. Then
you'll have to spend time later correcting those mistakes,
so the time you gain by hurrying is quickly lost and then
exceeded by the toll it takes.
Consider taking a break, clearing your mind and energizing
your body. The work will still be there when you get back,
and by getting away from it for a while you'll be in a much
better position to handle it effectively.
It's great to be ambitious and eager to get the job done.
Yet there is nothing to be gained by working until you drop.
The more you focus on the deadline itself, the less likely
you are to meet it, so put your focus on getting the job
done at a steady and sustainable pace. Instead of worrying
about running out of time, completely let go of the worry
and make calm, deliberate use of the time.
Don't put yourself behind by attempting to go too far too
fast. Move at a pace that enables you to be your best, for
that is what will move you ahead most quickly.
Ralph Marston
Flowing abundance
Flowing abundance
+++++++++++++++++++
If you expect to receive value without providing value in
return, you will be painfully disappointed. Value, by its
very nature, cannot flow only in one direction for very long
at all.
If you focus only on what you want to acquire, you will
experience continuing frustration. Focus instead on all the
good and valuable things you have that you can give, and
your eyes will be opened to the greatest possibilities.
Abundance is a dynamic thing that's always in motion. Like
an electric current, if abundance ceases to move, it ceases
to be.
To experience value flowing into your life, then get value
flowing out from you. Remind yourself often that it's really
as simple as that.
Circumstances will always work against you if you attempt to
stop the flow of abundance by seeking to siphon it off just
for yourself. Choose instead to support the flow, by giving
the same portion of value that you wish to receive, and the
abundance in your life will grow strong and vibrant.
There are opportunities in every moment to create real,
unique and substantial value. Make the most of those
opportunities, and watch the abundance flow.
Ralph Marston
+++++++++++++++++++
If you expect to receive value without providing value in
return, you will be painfully disappointed. Value, by its
very nature, cannot flow only in one direction for very long
at all.
If you focus only on what you want to acquire, you will
experience continuing frustration. Focus instead on all the
good and valuable things you have that you can give, and
your eyes will be opened to the greatest possibilities.
Abundance is a dynamic thing that's always in motion. Like
an electric current, if abundance ceases to move, it ceases
to be.
To experience value flowing into your life, then get value
flowing out from you. Remind yourself often that it's really
as simple as that.
Circumstances will always work against you if you attempt to
stop the flow of abundance by seeking to siphon it off just
for yourself. Choose instead to support the flow, by giving
the same portion of value that you wish to receive, and the
abundance in your life will grow strong and vibrant.
There are opportunities in every moment to create real,
unique and substantial value. Make the most of those
opportunities, and watch the abundance flow.
Ralph Marston
Humility
Humility
+++++++++++++++++++
In addition to persistent, ongoing effort, continued success
requires humility. If you grow arrogant after a few
accomplishments, you're not likely to have many more.
With each success you gain more confidence, and that's
great. When you've done it before, you know that you can do
it again.
Yet even as your confidence level grows higher and higher,
do not make the mistake of discarding your humility. For
humility keeps you reasonable, respectful, thankful,
thoughtful and realistic, and those are all qualities
essential for continued success.
Thinking that you're entitled to something just because you
want it is a reliable recipe for failure and disappointment.
Humility reminds you that in order to receive value, you
must create value in equal measure.
While it is certainly possible to accomplish things without
humility, those accomplishments will be empty and
short-lived. Those people who enjoy meaningful success and
fulfillment year after year and decade after decade are
those people who know the value of humility.
Choose to be strong enough and smart enough to live with
genuine humility. The rewards for doing so will show up
throughout your whole life.
Ralph Marston
............................................................................
+++++++++++++++++++
In addition to persistent, ongoing effort, continued success
requires humility. If you grow arrogant after a few
accomplishments, you're not likely to have many more.
With each success you gain more confidence, and that's
great. When you've done it before, you know that you can do
it again.
Yet even as your confidence level grows higher and higher,
do not make the mistake of discarding your humility. For
humility keeps you reasonable, respectful, thankful,
thoughtful and realistic, and those are all qualities
essential for continued success.
Thinking that you're entitled to something just because you
want it is a reliable recipe for failure and disappointment.
Humility reminds you that in order to receive value, you
must create value in equal measure.
While it is certainly possible to accomplish things without
humility, those accomplishments will be empty and
short-lived. Those people who enjoy meaningful success and
fulfillment year after year and decade after decade are
those people who know the value of humility.
Choose to be strong enough and smart enough to live with
genuine humility. The rewards for doing so will show up
throughout your whole life.
Ralph Marston
............................................................................
A little higher
A little higher
+++++++++++++++++++
There will be days so dreadful that you may regret ever
getting out of bed, and there will be days so beautiful that
you'll wish they would never end. You can make something
good and valuable out of all of them.
Some people you meet will make you instantly feel that
you've known them for years. Others you meet may make you
want to get as far away from them as quickly as you can.
All kinds of people are equally worthy of your kindness,
respect and consideration, and have their own valuable gifts
to offer. Remind yourself often of that.
There will be stretches of time when you'll feel you can't
get anything right, and there will be periods when
everything you touch seems to turn to gold. Don't allow
either extreme to get the best of you or to compromise your
precious integrity.
You'll experience times of boundless joy, and moments of
overwhelming frustration. You'll discover places of
extraordinary beauty, and regions of terrifying ugliness.
Through it all, remember that whatever you may encounter is
virtually insignificant when compared with what you choose
to do with it. Always choose the best response, no matter
what comes your way, and each day you'll rise a little
higher than you were the day before.
Ralph Marston
............................................................................
+++++++++++++++++++
There will be days so dreadful that you may regret ever
getting out of bed, and there will be days so beautiful that
you'll wish they would never end. You can make something
good and valuable out of all of them.
Some people you meet will make you instantly feel that
you've known them for years. Others you meet may make you
want to get as far away from them as quickly as you can.
All kinds of people are equally worthy of your kindness,
respect and consideration, and have their own valuable gifts
to offer. Remind yourself often of that.
There will be stretches of time when you'll feel you can't
get anything right, and there will be periods when
everything you touch seems to turn to gold. Don't allow
either extreme to get the best of you or to compromise your
precious integrity.
You'll experience times of boundless joy, and moments of
overwhelming frustration. You'll discover places of
extraordinary beauty, and regions of terrifying ugliness.
Through it all, remember that whatever you may encounter is
virtually insignificant when compared with what you choose
to do with it. Always choose the best response, no matter
what comes your way, and each day you'll rise a little
higher than you were the day before.
Ralph Marston
............................................................................
A little taste
A little taste
+++++++++++++++++++
Give yourself a little taste of accomplishment. And you'll
find yourself wanting more.
Decide that you're going to finally take the first step
toward a truly beautiful and meaningful dream. Soon you'll
be running quickly and enthusiastically toward it.
Experience how great it feels to provide someone else with
something of real value. You'll discover useful and positive
things about yourself that you never knew before.
Stroll along the shore and get your feet wet in the ocean of
fulfillment. Before long you'll be diving all the way in.
Seek to comprehend and to express what it means to you to be
fully alive. Remember the reasons and purposes that make you
who you are.
Take a little taste of life in all its richness and meaning.
And give yourself an insatiable appetite for truly being
your best.
Ralph Marston
............................................................................
+++++++++++++++++++
Give yourself a little taste of accomplishment. And you'll
find yourself wanting more.
Decide that you're going to finally take the first step
toward a truly beautiful and meaningful dream. Soon you'll
be running quickly and enthusiastically toward it.
Experience how great it feels to provide someone else with
something of real value. You'll discover useful and positive
things about yourself that you never knew before.
Stroll along the shore and get your feet wet in the ocean of
fulfillment. Before long you'll be diving all the way in.
Seek to comprehend and to express what it means to you to be
fully alive. Remember the reasons and purposes that make you
who you are.
Take a little taste of life in all its richness and meaning.
And give yourself an insatiable appetite for truly being
your best.
Ralph Marston
............................................................................
What it takes to persist
What it takes to persist
+++++++++++++++++++
You already have what it takes to persist. For persistence is
nothing more than continuing to do what you've been doing.
Persistence makes the difference between no achievement and
great achievement. And persistence is available to all who
choose it.
The enemy of persistence is that little voice you hear in
your head that urges you to give up. When you hear that
voice, remember that you don't have to do what it says, and
you don't have to fight it either.
Just listen to that voice, allow it to have its say, and
then calmly let it go. Keep on going and you'll quickly be
beyond it.
Remember often, with great detail and passion, why you've
chosen to do what you're doing. Keep your focus on the goal,
and know that by continuing to progress on your journey, one
step at a time, you'll get there.
Persistence isn't complicated, and it doesn't require you to
uncover some deep, dark, closely guarded secret. You have
what it takes if you'll simply choose to do what it takes
and persist until the job is done.
Ralph Marston
............................................................................
+++++++++++++++++++
You already have what it takes to persist. For persistence is
nothing more than continuing to do what you've been doing.
Persistence makes the difference between no achievement and
great achievement. And persistence is available to all who
choose it.
The enemy of persistence is that little voice you hear in
your head that urges you to give up. When you hear that
voice, remember that you don't have to do what it says, and
you don't have to fight it either.
Just listen to that voice, allow it to have its say, and
then calmly let it go. Keep on going and you'll quickly be
beyond it.
Remember often, with great detail and passion, why you've
chosen to do what you're doing. Keep your focus on the goal,
and know that by continuing to progress on your journey, one
step at a time, you'll get there.
Persistence isn't complicated, and it doesn't require you to
uncover some deep, dark, closely guarded secret. You have
what it takes if you'll simply choose to do what it takes
and persist until the job is done.
Ralph Marston
............................................................................
The newness of life
The newness of life
+++++++++++++++++++
In order to learn something new you must first accept that
you do not know it. To fully understand another person, you
must let go of your desire to make blind assumptions and
judgments about that person.
Turn down the volume and intensity of your own chattering
thoughts, and you can hear the music of life. Stop expecting
to see what you've always seen before, and new and wondrous
beauty will appear in front of your eyes.
When you continue to perform a task the exact same way
you've always done it, your effectiveness cannot improve
very much. Be open to new ideas and techniques, and you can
vastly accelerate your performance.
If you cynically think you've experienced it all, you'll
close yourself off from much of life's richness. If you
consider yourself smarter than everyone else, you'll be
supporting and advancing your own growing ignorance.
Open your mind and your heart to the newness of life that
comes with each moment. There is always more to learn, more
to experience, more to appreciate and enjoy, no matter how
much you've already done.
With each dawning day, a whole new world of possibilities is
born. Allow yourself to know and acknowledge their newness,
and bring the best of those possibilities to life.
Ralph Marston
............................................................................
+++++++++++++++++++
In order to learn something new you must first accept that
you do not know it. To fully understand another person, you
must let go of your desire to make blind assumptions and
judgments about that person.
Turn down the volume and intensity of your own chattering
thoughts, and you can hear the music of life. Stop expecting
to see what you've always seen before, and new and wondrous
beauty will appear in front of your eyes.
When you continue to perform a task the exact same way
you've always done it, your effectiveness cannot improve
very much. Be open to new ideas and techniques, and you can
vastly accelerate your performance.
If you cynically think you've experienced it all, you'll
close yourself off from much of life's richness. If you
consider yourself smarter than everyone else, you'll be
supporting and advancing your own growing ignorance.
Open your mind and your heart to the newness of life that
comes with each moment. There is always more to learn, more
to experience, more to appreciate and enjoy, no matter how
much you've already done.
With each dawning day, a whole new world of possibilities is
born. Allow yourself to know and acknowledge their newness,
and bring the best of those possibilities to life.
Ralph Marston
............................................................................
Live on a higher level
Live on a higher level
+++++++++++++++++++
When you're constantly on the lookout for limitations, you
invite those limitations into your life. Choose instead to
allow more of the goodness and wholeness that make life so
beautiful and miraculous.
Keep your focus on the positive possibilities, and put your
energy into bringing those possibilities to life. When
you're busy with creative accomplishment, fewer troubles
will be able to find you.
Allow your thoughts and actions to be in harmony with your
most cherished values. Fill your moments with sincere
expressions of love, gratitude and creativity.
If you see yourself as struggling and striving, you give
power to fear, pain and despair. Choose instead to see
yourself as making a positive difference, and give your
power to the very best things you can imagine.
You never have to live on the level at which everything is a
problem or a conflict. You can decide to live on a higher
level at which every situation is an opportunity to invoke
and to express life's goodness.
In each moment, allow that goodness to stream into your
world. With each day, lovingly bring to life the value that
is yours to create.
Ralph Marston
............................................................................
+++++++++++++++++++
When you're constantly on the lookout for limitations, you
invite those limitations into your life. Choose instead to
allow more of the goodness and wholeness that make life so
beautiful and miraculous.
Keep your focus on the positive possibilities, and put your
energy into bringing those possibilities to life. When
you're busy with creative accomplishment, fewer troubles
will be able to find you.
Allow your thoughts and actions to be in harmony with your
most cherished values. Fill your moments with sincere
expressions of love, gratitude and creativity.
If you see yourself as struggling and striving, you give
power to fear, pain and despair. Choose instead to see
yourself as making a positive difference, and give your
power to the very best things you can imagine.
You never have to live on the level at which everything is a
problem or a conflict. You can decide to live on a higher
level at which every situation is an opportunity to invoke
and to express life's goodness.
In each moment, allow that goodness to stream into your
world. With each day, lovingly bring to life the value that
is yours to create.
Ralph Marston
............................................................................
Learn to love
Learn to love
+++++++++++++++++++
Learn to love challenge, and you'll fill your life with
accomplishment. Learn to love effort, and your skills will
grow more valuable with each passing day.
Learn to love making a difference, and doors will quickly
open for you wherever you go. Learn to love giving freely of
yourself, and you'll receive more fulfillment than you ever
could imagine.
Learn to love being the authentic person you are, and
everything you do will be infused with integrity. Learn to
love whatever work you're doing, and that work will bring
abundant rewards.
Learn to love beauty for beauty's sake, and you'll discover
a wealth of it in places no one else would even think to
look. Learn to love unconditionally, and there will be no
limit to what your love can accomplish.
Learn to love life just because it is, and each day will be
a grand new adventure. Learn to love the moment you're in,
and you'll find richness in every direction.
Learn to love the possibilities, and you'll make your way to
whatever you seek. Learn to love no matter what, and you'll
discover what a miracle you truly are.
Ralph Marston
............................................................................
+++++++++++++++++++
Learn to love challenge, and you'll fill your life with
accomplishment. Learn to love effort, and your skills will
grow more valuable with each passing day.
Learn to love making a difference, and doors will quickly
open for you wherever you go. Learn to love giving freely of
yourself, and you'll receive more fulfillment than you ever
could imagine.
Learn to love being the authentic person you are, and
everything you do will be infused with integrity. Learn to
love whatever work you're doing, and that work will bring
abundant rewards.
Learn to love beauty for beauty's sake, and you'll discover
a wealth of it in places no one else would even think to
look. Learn to love unconditionally, and there will be no
limit to what your love can accomplish.
Learn to love life just because it is, and each day will be
a grand new adventure. Learn to love the moment you're in,
and you'll find richness in every direction.
Learn to love the possibilities, and you'll make your way to
whatever you seek. Learn to love no matter what, and you'll
discover what a miracle you truly are.
Ralph Marston
............................................................................
Uncertainty
Friday, November 16, 2007
Uncertainty
+++++++++++++++++++
The past is safe and certain, and yet it is gone. The future
is filled with endless uncertainty, and yet it is also
filled with limitless possibilities.
Something will happen today that you didn't expect. It might
be uncomfortable, it might be inconvenient, and it might
even disrupt your life in a big way.
And yet, how terribly bland and unbearably tedious life
would be if nothing unexpected ever happened. Though
uncertainty is a bit frightening, it also brings much
richness to life.
You are designed and equipped not only to deal with life's
uncertainties, but to in fact transcend them. Out of a
little uncertainty you can create a lot of positive value.
If you attempt to hide from uncertainty, you'll also be
hiding from the best things life has to offer. Instead,
accept and embrace uncertainty, and know that you can make
the best of whatever comes along.
Today does not come with a guarantee. And because of that,
you have the opportunity to make of it whatever you choose.
Ralph Marston
............................................................................
Uncertainty
+++++++++++++++++++
The past is safe and certain, and yet it is gone. The future
is filled with endless uncertainty, and yet it is also
filled with limitless possibilities.
Something will happen today that you didn't expect. It might
be uncomfortable, it might be inconvenient, and it might
even disrupt your life in a big way.
And yet, how terribly bland and unbearably tedious life
would be if nothing unexpected ever happened. Though
uncertainty is a bit frightening, it also brings much
richness to life.
You are designed and equipped not only to deal with life's
uncertainties, but to in fact transcend them. Out of a
little uncertainty you can create a lot of positive value.
If you attempt to hide from uncertainty, you'll also be
hiding from the best things life has to offer. Instead,
accept and embrace uncertainty, and know that you can make
the best of whatever comes along.
Today does not come with a guarantee. And because of that,
you have the opportunity to make of it whatever you choose.
Ralph Marston
............................................................................
Happy, confident expectation
Monday, November 19, 2007
Happy, confident expectation
+++++++++++++++++++
The good things in life do not create happiness. The good
things in life arise from happiness.
If you wish to be happy, then be happy. It really is as
simple as that.
There's no need to wait until you acquire this or achieve
that. If you constantly place conditions on happiness,
you'll prevent yourself from experiencing it.
Go ahead and be happy now, today, this very moment. Be happy
for no reason at all, and you'll find that you're more
effective, more productive, more creative and more
fulfilled.
Indeed, happiness is a powerful state of mind that is
available to you when you allow it to be. The best reason to
be happy is because you can.
Being genuinely happy is a powerful way to express your
confidence and your expectation that positive things will
happen. And when you confidently expect the best, that's
precisely what you get.
Ralph Marston
............................................................................
Happy, confident expectation
+++++++++++++++++++
The good things in life do not create happiness. The good
things in life arise from happiness.
If you wish to be happy, then be happy. It really is as
simple as that.
There's no need to wait until you acquire this or achieve
that. If you constantly place conditions on happiness,
you'll prevent yourself from experiencing it.
Go ahead and be happy now, today, this very moment. Be happy
for no reason at all, and you'll find that you're more
effective, more productive, more creative and more
fulfilled.
Indeed, happiness is a powerful state of mind that is
available to you when you allow it to be. The best reason to
be happy is because you can.
Being genuinely happy is a powerful way to express your
confidence and your expectation that positive things will
happen. And when you confidently expect the best, that's
precisely what you get.
Ralph Marston
............................................................................
Truly impressive
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Truly impressive
+++++++++++++++++++
Always know that what other people think of you is their own
concern, not yours. Do what you know is right, and fully
accept that others will think what they will think.
Certainly it is valuable to make a good impression. Keep in
mind, though, that the best way to make a good impression is
not to worry endlessly about what others think.
The way to make the best impression is to be authentic.
Allow the goodness that is within you to shine through your
genuine courtesy, kindness, respect and consideration.
By caring so much about receiving validation from others,
you prevent yourself from getting it. Instead, share your
real value with those around you and that value will be
clear for all to see.
Don't waste your time and effort keeping up appearances. Put
your attention and energy into real solid substance, and
your appearance will take care of itself.
The more you strive to make a good impression, the less
successful you'll be at doing so. Just relax and be
yourself, and you'll be truly and authentically impressive.
Ralph Marston
Truly impressive
+++++++++++++++++++
Always know that what other people think of you is their own
concern, not yours. Do what you know is right, and fully
accept that others will think what they will think.
Certainly it is valuable to make a good impression. Keep in
mind, though, that the best way to make a good impression is
not to worry endlessly about what others think.
The way to make the best impression is to be authentic.
Allow the goodness that is within you to shine through your
genuine courtesy, kindness, respect and consideration.
By caring so much about receiving validation from others,
you prevent yourself from getting it. Instead, share your
real value with those around you and that value will be
clear for all to see.
Don't waste your time and effort keeping up appearances. Put
your attention and energy into real solid substance, and
your appearance will take care of itself.
The more you strive to make a good impression, the less
successful you'll be at doing so. Just relax and be
yourself, and you'll be truly and authentically impressive.
Ralph Marston
Life's little annoyances
Monday, November 26, 2007
Life's little annoyances
+++++++++++++++++++
Don't let a relatively small setback ruin an otherwise
beautiful day. Choose instead to take it in stride and
quickly get back to being positive, productive and
effective.
Don't waste your time being outraged or offended by someone
else's careless, inconsiderate remark or gesture. Use the
opportunity to strengthen your valuable sense of patience,
and move on ahead to something that truly matters.
Life's little annoyances can quickly add up to have a big
negative and destructive impact if you let them.
Fortunately, you don't have to let them.
Instead, you can choose to let them go. You can decide to
see the small, relatively meaningless annoyances for what
they are, and move quickly beyond them.
Do you really want your attitude to be held hostage by rude,
careless, inconsiderate people or random events beyond your
control? Of course not, because within you is a positive
purpose that is big and beautiful and filled with real
meaning.
Each time one of life's little annoyances comes along, let
it just keep on going right past you until it fades away
into its own insignificance. You have plenty of much more
positive and valuable things upon which to focus your
attention.
Ralph Marston
Life's little annoyances
+++++++++++++++++++
Don't let a relatively small setback ruin an otherwise
beautiful day. Choose instead to take it in stride and
quickly get back to being positive, productive and
effective.
Don't waste your time being outraged or offended by someone
else's careless, inconsiderate remark or gesture. Use the
opportunity to strengthen your valuable sense of patience,
and move on ahead to something that truly matters.
Life's little annoyances can quickly add up to have a big
negative and destructive impact if you let them.
Fortunately, you don't have to let them.
Instead, you can choose to let them go. You can decide to
see the small, relatively meaningless annoyances for what
they are, and move quickly beyond them.
Do you really want your attitude to be held hostage by rude,
careless, inconsiderate people or random events beyond your
control? Of course not, because within you is a positive
purpose that is big and beautiful and filled with real
meaning.
Each time one of life's little annoyances comes along, let
it just keep on going right past you until it fades away
into its own insignificance. You have plenty of much more
positive and valuable things upon which to focus your
attention.
Ralph Marston
Joy of being you
+++++++++++++++++++
To get where you wish to go, you must take an active role in
the journey. Though many good and valuable things are
constantly flowing into your life, it is up to you to make
something meaningful out of them.
No one else can live your life for you. That is your biggest
responsibility and your greatest opportunity.
Your dreams and desires, passions, opinions, preferences and
interests are yours for a reason. The more sincerely and
completely you give life to them, the more genuine
fulfillment you will know.
Beauty is what you know it to be. Joy is what you experience
it as being.
The meaning of life is the meaning you give to it. Deep
down, you know what to do.
Dive into the pure joy of being you. For there is so very
much you are able to be and to give.
Ralph Marston
+++++++++++++++++++
To get where you wish to go, you must take an active role in
the journey. Though many good and valuable things are
constantly flowing into your life, it is up to you to make
something meaningful out of them.
No one else can live your life for you. That is your biggest
responsibility and your greatest opportunity.
Your dreams and desires, passions, opinions, preferences and
interests are yours for a reason. The more sincerely and
completely you give life to them, the more genuine
fulfillment you will know.
Beauty is what you know it to be. Joy is what you experience
it as being.
The meaning of life is the meaning you give to it. Deep
down, you know what to do.
Dive into the pure joy of being you. For there is so very
much you are able to be and to give.
Ralph Marston
A higher perspective
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
A higher perspective
+++++++++++++++++++
What troubles you is mostly trivial when viewed from the
great perspective of all that is. Yet those troubles can
feel much bigger when you look at them from the viewpoint of
your self-imposed limitations.
Your ego will seek to convince you that nothing beyond you
matters. Such thinking will keep you trapped in a prison of
your own making.
Let go of the need to prove what you're worth. And you'll
realize how uniquely valuable you already and always are.
As long as you remain on the same level as the obstacles in
your life, those obstacles will prevent you from making
progress. Yet from a higher perspective you'll discover many
ways to get beyond them.
If you're confounded by some particular situation, step back
and remind yourself, in your own way, of how truly beautiful
and magnificent life can be. Feel yourself rising above the
limitations that your ego has constructed.
Instead of being troubled by your troubles, let them be a
catalyst for your own growth and for truly meaningful
inspiration. Climb up to a higher perspective and find a
path to the greatness that is within you.
Ralph Marston
............................................................................
A higher perspective
+++++++++++++++++++
What troubles you is mostly trivial when viewed from the
great perspective of all that is. Yet those troubles can
feel much bigger when you look at them from the viewpoint of
your self-imposed limitations.
Your ego will seek to convince you that nothing beyond you
matters. Such thinking will keep you trapped in a prison of
your own making.
Let go of the need to prove what you're worth. And you'll
realize how uniquely valuable you already and always are.
As long as you remain on the same level as the obstacles in
your life, those obstacles will prevent you from making
progress. Yet from a higher perspective you'll discover many
ways to get beyond them.
If you're confounded by some particular situation, step back
and remind yourself, in your own way, of how truly beautiful
and magnificent life can be. Feel yourself rising above the
limitations that your ego has constructed.
Instead of being troubled by your troubles, let them be a
catalyst for your own growth and for truly meaningful
inspiration. Climb up to a higher perspective and find a
path to the greatness that is within you.
Ralph Marston
............................................................................
All is well
Friday, November 23, 2007
All is well
+++++++++++++++++++
You are enough, just as you are. This moment is enough, just
as it is.
Everything you truly value is with you always. The power you
seek is yours when you choose to act.
Those things that seem to limit you and challenge you can
also create a path to greater strength. Right now you are
already connected to your greatest possibilities.
Your achievements and successes do not make you who you are.
They are some of the ways in which you most sincerely and
lovingly express who you are.
The disappointments and setbacks do not take anything away
from the value of your life. They give you the opportunity
to more fully understand, appreciate and expand that value.
Whatever is happening, all is well. Everything that is, is
yours to experience, to value, to love and to fulfill.
Ralph Marston
All is well
+++++++++++++++++++
You are enough, just as you are. This moment is enough, just
as it is.
Everything you truly value is with you always. The power you
seek is yours when you choose to act.
Those things that seem to limit you and challenge you can
also create a path to greater strength. Right now you are
already connected to your greatest possibilities.
Your achievements and successes do not make you who you are.
They are some of the ways in which you most sincerely and
lovingly express who you are.
The disappointments and setbacks do not take anything away
from the value of your life. They give you the opportunity
to more fully understand, appreciate and expand that value.
Whatever is happening, all is well. Everything that is, is
yours to experience, to value, to love and to fulfill.
Ralph Marston
Choose your attitude
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Choose your attitude
+++++++++++++++++++
Your attitude can be based on the weather, the amount of
traffic congestion, the way people treat you, or a whole lot
of other things. Or, your attitude can be exactly what you
choose for it to be.
When you turn your attitude over to other people or to
random circumstances, it's going to be volatile,
undependable and not very productive. By contrast, when you
choose your own attitude, independent of what's happening
around you, then you set yourself up to make swift and
positive progress.
Your attitude serves as a lens through which you see life,
and it's best when that lens is focused on the positive
possibilities. Your attitude can enable you to make the most
of difficult situations, to find and to create enormous
value in your world.
There is absolutely nothing that forces you to adopt one
particular attitude over another. When you get in the habit
of consciously choosing to have a positive, empowering
attitude, you become gloriously free to achieve the things
that are most meaningful to you.
Your attitude is always yours to select. Doesn't it make
sense to select an attitude that will foster peak
performance and effectiveness no matter what may be going on
around you?
Don't let anyone or anything else control something as
critically important as your attitude. Now, and always,
choose an attitude that will enable you to soar high.
Ralph Marston
............................................................................
Choose your attitude
+++++++++++++++++++
Your attitude can be based on the weather, the amount of
traffic congestion, the way people treat you, or a whole lot
of other things. Or, your attitude can be exactly what you
choose for it to be.
When you turn your attitude over to other people or to
random circumstances, it's going to be volatile,
undependable and not very productive. By contrast, when you
choose your own attitude, independent of what's happening
around you, then you set yourself up to make swift and
positive progress.
Your attitude serves as a lens through which you see life,
and it's best when that lens is focused on the positive
possibilities. Your attitude can enable you to make the most
of difficult situations, to find and to create enormous
value in your world.
There is absolutely nothing that forces you to adopt one
particular attitude over another. When you get in the habit
of consciously choosing to have a positive, empowering
attitude, you become gloriously free to achieve the things
that are most meaningful to you.
Your attitude is always yours to select. Doesn't it make
sense to select an attitude that will foster peak
performance and effectiveness no matter what may be going on
around you?
Don't let anyone or anything else control something as
critically important as your attitude. Now, and always,
choose an attitude that will enable you to soar high.
Ralph Marston
............................................................................
The miracle that is now
Monday, December 3, 2007
The miracle that is now
+++++++++++++++++++
There is a miracle in every moment. Look closely, and
lovingly, and you will clearly see it.
There is an innate and elegant beauty in even the most
ordinary of things. Learn to love that beauty, and to let it
be, and your eyes will be opened to wondrous possibilities.
There always and everywhere is a quiet yet unyielding peace,
upon which rests all that is. The more often you reach in
and touch this peace the more fully you experience its
power.
Anything that is negative, deceptive or destructive will
eventually consume and obliterate itself. What is authentic,
peaceful and creative will continue to grow more pervasive.
When you need nothing other than to simply be, you have
every beautiful and wonderful and miraculous thing there is.
Life's richness is never more than a single thought away.
Breathe in deeply the beauty, the wonder, the miracle that
is now. Know the joy that cannot ever fade.
Ralph Marston
The miracle that is now
+++++++++++++++++++
There is a miracle in every moment. Look closely, and
lovingly, and you will clearly see it.
There is an innate and elegant beauty in even the most
ordinary of things. Learn to love that beauty, and to let it
be, and your eyes will be opened to wondrous possibilities.
There always and everywhere is a quiet yet unyielding peace,
upon which rests all that is. The more often you reach in
and touch this peace the more fully you experience its
power.
Anything that is negative, deceptive or destructive will
eventually consume and obliterate itself. What is authentic,
peaceful and creative will continue to grow more pervasive.
When you need nothing other than to simply be, you have
every beautiful and wonderful and miraculous thing there is.
Life's richness is never more than a single thought away.
Breathe in deeply the beauty, the wonder, the miracle that
is now. Know the joy that cannot ever fade.
Ralph Marston
Persistence
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Persistence
+++++++++++++++++++
If you're not ready to climb a mountain, then see if you can
walk up a gentle hill. If you're not ready to walk up a
hill, then set out to take a leisurely stroll.
If you're not able to walk that far, then you can take a
single step. After taking that step you'll likely find that
you're ready to take another.
If you have trouble imagining yourself reaching your goal,
then imagine yourself taking one small, simple action in the
direction of that goal. Imagine it, and then do it.
After that first step, there will be another one you can
take, something that's a little bit more challenging and yet
not overwhelming. Keep it up, and soon the ultimate goal
begins to come into view.
Anything can be accomplished if you are willing to keep
taking the next step when it is time to do so. What you lack
in brute strength, or resources, or knowledge, or skills,
you can make up for with persistence.
You absolutely can get where you choose to go, step after
step after persistent step. And now is the perfect time to
begin.
Ralph Marston
Persistence
+++++++++++++++++++
If you're not ready to climb a mountain, then see if you can
walk up a gentle hill. If you're not ready to walk up a
hill, then set out to take a leisurely stroll.
If you're not able to walk that far, then you can take a
single step. After taking that step you'll likely find that
you're ready to take another.
If you have trouble imagining yourself reaching your goal,
then imagine yourself taking one small, simple action in the
direction of that goal. Imagine it, and then do it.
After that first step, there will be another one you can
take, something that's a little bit more challenging and yet
not overwhelming. Keep it up, and soon the ultimate goal
begins to come into view.
Anything can be accomplished if you are willing to keep
taking the next step when it is time to do so. What you lack
in brute strength, or resources, or knowledge, or skills,
you can make up for with persistence.
You absolutely can get where you choose to go, step after
step after persistent step. And now is the perfect time to
begin.
Ralph Marston
Life isn't about keeping score
Life isn't about keeping score
Its not about how many friends you have.
Or how accepted you are.
Not about if you have plans this weekend or if you are alone.
it Isn't about who you're dating, who you used to date, how many people
You've dated, or if you haven't been with anyone at all.
It isn't About who you have kissed.
Its not about sex.
It isn't about whoYour family is or how much money they have.
Or what kind of car youDrive.
Or where you are sent to school.
Its not about how beautiful
Or ugly you are.
Or what clothes you wear, what shoes you have on,
Or what kind of music you listen to.
Its not about if your hair is
Blonde, red, black, or brown.
Or if your skin is too light or tooDark.
Not about what grades you get, how smart you are, how smart
Everybody else thinks you are, or how smart standardized tests say
You are. It's not about what clubs you're in or how good you are
At "your" sport. It's not about representing your whole being on a
Piece of paper and seeing who will "accept the written you." LIFEJUST ISN'T.
But, life is about who you love and who you hurt.
Its about who you
Make happy or unhappy purposefully.
It's about keeping or betraying
Trust. It's about friendship, used as a sanctity or a weapon.
It's About what you say and mean, maybe hurtful, maybe heartening.
About Starting rumors and contributing to petty gossip.
It's about what Judgments you pass and why.
And who your judgements are spread to.
Its about who you've ignored with full control and intention.
It'sAbout jealousy, fear, ignorance, and revenge.
Its about carrying Inner hate and love, letting it grow, and spreading it.
But most of All, its about using your life to touch or poison other people's
Hearts in such a way that could have never occurred alone.
Only YOU Choose the way those hearts are affected,
and those choices are whatlife's all about.
Its not about how many friends you have.
Or how accepted you are.
Not about if you have plans this weekend or if you are alone.
it Isn't about who you're dating, who you used to date, how many people
You've dated, or if you haven't been with anyone at all.
It isn't About who you have kissed.
Its not about sex.
It isn't about whoYour family is or how much money they have.
Or what kind of car youDrive.
Or where you are sent to school.
Its not about how beautiful
Or ugly you are.
Or what clothes you wear, what shoes you have on,
Or what kind of music you listen to.
Its not about if your hair is
Blonde, red, black, or brown.
Or if your skin is too light or tooDark.
Not about what grades you get, how smart you are, how smart
Everybody else thinks you are, or how smart standardized tests say
You are. It's not about what clubs you're in or how good you are
At "your" sport. It's not about representing your whole being on a
Piece of paper and seeing who will "accept the written you." LIFEJUST ISN'T.
But, life is about who you love and who you hurt.
Its about who you
Make happy or unhappy purposefully.
It's about keeping or betraying
Trust. It's about friendship, used as a sanctity or a weapon.
It's About what you say and mean, maybe hurtful, maybe heartening.
About Starting rumors and contributing to petty gossip.
It's about what Judgments you pass and why.
And who your judgements are spread to.
Its about who you've ignored with full control and intention.
It'sAbout jealousy, fear, ignorance, and revenge.
Its about carrying Inner hate and love, letting it grow, and spreading it.
But most of All, its about using your life to touch or poison other people's
Hearts in such a way that could have never occurred alone.
Only YOU Choose the way those hearts are affected,
and those choices are whatlife's all about.
The power of truth
The power of truth
+++++++++++++++++++
The more completely you live in truth, the more fully you
will connect to and realize your best possibilities.
Truth will show you who you are, and enable you to go where you
most sincerely wish to go.
Truth is not always the easiest or most convenient choice,
and it can often be painful.
Yet in the long run, truth never fails to be the best course.
When you seek to avoid the truth, you'll put a great amount
of effort into a pursuit that will take you backwards.
Instead, work your way willingly toward truth at every
opportunity, and you'll always be making real progress.
Those who fight against the truth are fighting a losing battle.
Use every opportunity, in every moment, to put
yourself on the side of truth.
Deception costs much and gains nothing of any value.
Truth sets you free to achieve, to learn, to experience,
expressand fulfill the best that is within you.
Be true to yourself, to others, to the world around you and
to all of life. Truth will always keep you looking and
moving forward.
Ralph Marston
+++++++++++++++++++
The more completely you live in truth, the more fully you
will connect to and realize your best possibilities.
Truth will show you who you are, and enable you to go where you
most sincerely wish to go.
Truth is not always the easiest or most convenient choice,
and it can often be painful.
Yet in the long run, truth never fails to be the best course.
When you seek to avoid the truth, you'll put a great amount
of effort into a pursuit that will take you backwards.
Instead, work your way willingly toward truth at every
opportunity, and you'll always be making real progress.
Those who fight against the truth are fighting a losing battle.
Use every opportunity, in every moment, to put
yourself on the side of truth.
Deception costs much and gains nothing of any value.
Truth sets you free to achieve, to learn, to experience,
expressand fulfill the best that is within you.
Be true to yourself, to others, to the world around you and
to all of life. Truth will always keep you looking and
moving forward.
Ralph Marston
Sunday, December 16, 2007
The root of desire
The root of desire
The root of desire
+++++++++++++++++++
Most of the things you think you desire are only shallow
substitutes for what you truly would like to have. Learn to
look past each immediate, superficial wish to uncover the
real, profound and fulfilling desire beyond it.
There's no sense spending your time, effort and resources in
pursuit of things that are not even what you genuinely
desire. Look instead at the root of each desire and put your
energy into what you truly wish to bring about in your life.
The things you crave may satisfy you momentarily, yet they
cannot fulfill your deepest desires. By giving in to your
cravings, you're actually pushing yourself further and
further away from what you truly wish to have.
Choose to raise your expectations. Instead of merely chasing
pleasures that quickly fade, work on creating joys that do
not end.
Instead of diversions that just amuse you, create
experiences that wholly fulfill you. There's no need to
settle for substitutes when an authentically meaningful life
is yours to live.
Look for the root of each desire. Discover and fulfill the
person you truly wish to be.
Ralph Marston
............................................................................
The root of desire
+++++++++++++++++++
Most of the things you think you desire are only shallow
substitutes for what you truly would like to have. Learn to
look past each immediate, superficial wish to uncover the
real, profound and fulfilling desire beyond it.
There's no sense spending your time, effort and resources in
pursuit of things that are not even what you genuinely
desire. Look instead at the root of each desire and put your
energy into what you truly wish to bring about in your life.
The things you crave may satisfy you momentarily, yet they
cannot fulfill your deepest desires. By giving in to your
cravings, you're actually pushing yourself further and
further away from what you truly wish to have.
Choose to raise your expectations. Instead of merely chasing
pleasures that quickly fade, work on creating joys that do
not end.
Instead of diversions that just amuse you, create
experiences that wholly fulfill you. There's no need to
settle for substitutes when an authentically meaningful life
is yours to live.
Look for the root of each desire. Discover and fulfill the
person you truly wish to be.
Ralph Marston
............................................................................
Friday, December 14, 2007
No limitations
No limitations
No limitations
+++++++++++++++++++
If all your limitations were suddenly removed, what would you
do? If you were able to make absolutely anything happen,
what would it be?
If there were no challenges standing in your way, where
would you go? With absolutely nothing holding you back, what
would your life become?
It's easy to get so caught up in pushing against your
limitations that you start seeing yourself solely in terms
of those limitations. Yet you are so very much more.
Instead of identifying yourself in relation to the
challenges you face, dig deeper and find the real person
inside. For the truth is, you exist apart from any challenge
or limitation, and it is a powerful exercise to get solidly
in touch with who you are.
Yes, there will always be obstacles and limiting factors.
And the best way to get beyond them is by knowing that they
do not define you.
Imagine a world with no limitations, and discover who you
are in such a world. One by one, the challenges will fade in
the distance as you express the limitless vision that is
yours to live.
Ralph Marston
No limitations
+++++++++++++++++++
If all your limitations were suddenly removed, what would you
do? If you were able to make absolutely anything happen,
what would it be?
If there were no challenges standing in your way, where
would you go? With absolutely nothing holding you back, what
would your life become?
It's easy to get so caught up in pushing against your
limitations that you start seeing yourself solely in terms
of those limitations. Yet you are so very much more.
Instead of identifying yourself in relation to the
challenges you face, dig deeper and find the real person
inside. For the truth is, you exist apart from any challenge
or limitation, and it is a powerful exercise to get solidly
in touch with who you are.
Yes, there will always be obstacles and limiting factors.
And the best way to get beyond them is by knowing that they
do not define you.
Imagine a world with no limitations, and discover who you
are in such a world. One by one, the challenges will fade in
the distance as you express the limitless vision that is
yours to live.
Ralph Marston
Not that difficult
Not that difficult
Not that difficult
+++++++++++++++++++
It's not that difficult to be disciplined. It's just a matter
of choosing to be, again and again.
It's not that difficult to avoid destructive habits. In
fact, all you really must do is nothing.
It's not that difficult to take positive, productive action.
You simply choose to put yourself into motion.
Success is not that difficult. It's mainly a matter of doing
it, and you're completely capable of doing whatever is
necessary.
Your willingness is the most important factor. And
willingness comes when you connect to a solid, meaningful
reason why.
Discipline, integrity and effective action are tools that
you can use at any time and in any situation to achieve
valuable results. Follow a purpose that is truly yours, and
it's not that difficult at all.
Ralph Marston
Not that difficult
+++++++++++++++++++
It's not that difficult to be disciplined. It's just a matter
of choosing to be, again and again.
It's not that difficult to avoid destructive habits. In
fact, all you really must do is nothing.
It's not that difficult to take positive, productive action.
You simply choose to put yourself into motion.
Success is not that difficult. It's mainly a matter of doing
it, and you're completely capable of doing whatever is
necessary.
Your willingness is the most important factor. And
willingness comes when you connect to a solid, meaningful
reason why.
Discipline, integrity and effective action are tools that
you can use at any time and in any situation to achieve
valuable results. Follow a purpose that is truly yours, and
it's not that difficult at all.
Ralph Marston
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Do more
Do more
+++++++++++++++++++
Do more than merely getting through this day. Jump into itfully with vigor and enthusiasm.
Do more than merely getting through your work.
Find real joyin making a difference.
When the purpose behind each day is just to get it overwith,
that dismal purpose can begin to take over your whole life.
By contrast, when you put a little bit of joy and
positive purpose into each moment, you get a whole lot ofgreat and
wonderful things filling your world.
It only takes a fraction of a second to change your whole
life and your whole world for the better.
Are you ready to go beyond merely surviving and to fill each thought,
eachword, each action with the most magnificent possibilities of life?
Life is exactly the way you choose to see it.
Wherever youmay be, whatever you may be doing,
you have the opportunityto immediately and completely make life truly great.
Open your eyes, look around, and awaken to all the best
possibilities.
Now is when you can live with all the
richness you're able to imagine.
Ralph Marston
+++++++++++++++++++
Do more than merely getting through this day. Jump into itfully with vigor and enthusiasm.
Do more than merely getting through your work.
Find real joyin making a difference.
When the purpose behind each day is just to get it overwith,
that dismal purpose can begin to take over your whole life.
By contrast, when you put a little bit of joy and
positive purpose into each moment, you get a whole lot ofgreat and
wonderful things filling your world.
It only takes a fraction of a second to change your whole
life and your whole world for the better.
Are you ready to go beyond merely surviving and to fill each thought,
eachword, each action with the most magnificent possibilities of life?
Life is exactly the way you choose to see it.
Wherever youmay be, whatever you may be doing,
you have the opportunityto immediately and completely make life truly great.
Open your eyes, look around, and awaken to all the best
possibilities.
Now is when you can live with all the
richness you're able to imagine.
Ralph Marston
Monday, December 10, 2007
Every day you're bombarded with an ever-increasingNumber of opportunities, yet you don't seem to haveEnough time to get things done. If that isn't enough,You believe you're not working quickly enough toKeep up with the nonstop flow of information streaming outOf your computer. Worse yet, you feel as if you'll be liftIn the dust if you don't keep up.
The truth is, there will never be enough time to getEverything done, so, don't kill yourself trying.
You can face overwhelming challenges, yet still makeEach day purposeful, by keeping in mind a clearIntention of what you want to do. Resolve to stayFocused on accomplishing important tasks. Be willing toSay "No" when your asked to add responsibilitiesThat are not in harmony with your aspirations.
Life is not meant to be a struggle but a balanced andJoyful journey.
~~unknown
The truth is, there will never be enough time to getEverything done, so, don't kill yourself trying.
You can face overwhelming challenges, yet still makeEach day purposeful, by keeping in mind a clearIntention of what you want to do. Resolve to stayFocused on accomplishing important tasks. Be willing toSay "No" when your asked to add responsibilitiesThat are not in harmony with your aspirations.
Life is not meant to be a struggle but a balanced andJoyful journey.
~~unknown
What you long for
What you long for
THE DAILY MOTIVATOR
Monday, December 10, 2007
What you long for
+++++++++++++++++++
What you are longing form is already here. How could you know
it so intimately if it was not a part of you even now?
What separates you from your dream? It is nothing more than
your resistance to accepting it a living it.
What you long for is not to be found in some object or
location or set of circumstances. It is within you.
Go ahead and let it out. Go ahead and let it be.
No amount of misfortune or disappointment can tarnish the
values you hold most dearly. Step gracefully and confidently
forward knowing that you and your dreams are always intact,
no matter which way the world may go.
Live the joy that is in what you long for. It is real, it is
here, and it is you.
Ralph Marston
THE DAILY MOTIVATOR
Monday, December 10, 2007
What you long for
+++++++++++++++++++
What you are longing form is already here. How could you know
it so intimately if it was not a part of you even now?
What separates you from your dream? It is nothing more than
your resistance to accepting it a living it.
What you long for is not to be found in some object or
location or set of circumstances. It is within you.
Go ahead and let it out. Go ahead and let it be.
No amount of misfortune or disappointment can tarnish the
values you hold most dearly. Step gracefully and confidently
forward knowing that you and your dreams are always intact,
no matter which way the world may go.
Live the joy that is in what you long for. It is real, it is
here, and it is you.
Ralph Marston
Sunday, December 09, 2007
Life Is A Journey
Life is a journey through many terrain
From gardens of pleasure to deserts of pain
From an ocean of love to a jungle of hate
From mountains of glory to canyons of fate
There's a highway for joy and a highway for sorrow
A road for today and a road for tomorrow
So choose your path wisely and walk with careIf you follow your heart, you'll find your way there
I've been to the garden and planted seeds thereI've been to the desert and felt the despairI've swam in the ocean and drank of it's wine
I climbed up the mountain to touch the sky
I went to the canyon and started to cry
I've traveled both highways, Both today and tomorrow
I've basked in the joy and wallowed in sorrow
My path has been chosen and I've walked it with care I followed my heart and I'm on my way there
So I'll just keep walking till I find what I'm after
To mountains and oceans and Gardens of laughter.
From gardens of pleasure to deserts of pain
From an ocean of love to a jungle of hate
From mountains of glory to canyons of fate
There's a highway for joy and a highway for sorrow
A road for today and a road for tomorrow
So choose your path wisely and walk with careIf you follow your heart, you'll find your way there
I've been to the garden and planted seeds thereI've been to the desert and felt the despairI've swam in the ocean and drank of it's wine
I climbed up the mountain to touch the sky
I went to the canyon and started to cry
I've traveled both highways, Both today and tomorrow
I've basked in the joy and wallowed in sorrow
My path has been chosen and I've walked it with care I followed my heart and I'm on my way there
So I'll just keep walking till I find what I'm after
To mountains and oceans and Gardens of laughter.
Friday, December 07, 2007
面对死亡，拥抱生命
面对死亡，拥抱生命
作者：霍士达 出处：我在哈佛遇见神
今生尽管无法延长，但我这短暂人生所错过的一切福乐，都不过是那真正福乐的影儿。
霍士达在爱荷华州山南度市(Shenandoah, Iowa)念第八班的时候，因要打足球而接受例行健康检查。他说在第二年夏天：“医生说要切掉我一条腿，因我患了癌症。在二十四小时之内，手术就完成了。”他继续打中学垒球、篮球和网球，又被选为学生会会长。到了高中最后一年进入哈佛大学之前，他的肺部出现肿瘤。
这一年，士达念大学第二年，是1997年毕业那一届，他担起哈佛拉得克利夫基督徒团契(Harvard-Radcliffe Chistian FellowShip)的领导工作。他喜爱写作，爱读鲁益师的作品及苏俄文学。他爱绘风景画，因为“正如在‘真理论坛’(Veritas Forum)中所讨论的，‘美’是有意义内涵的；纵然‘美’带领人的目光超越其本身而直指其源头，却绝不抽象。当你绘画一幅风景画的时候，你自己也融为风景的一部分。”士达爱以油彩和塑胶彩来绘画，因为“每次我用水彩，就变成大水凼。”
1994年感恩节前一天，检查结果显示他有骨癌，是无手术可做的，且已扩散全身。他反省说：“我想我已体会到梦境不一定可以成真的。有时觉得自己在哈佛，就像一个必死的人活在不朽之地一般，由此我体会人人总有一日会晓得，生命与意义全来自爱神和彼此相爱。”霍士达专心研读历史，因为他说：“我喜欢发掘过去的人物——他们为什么而活，为什么而死。”
我那些在爱荷华乡村老家的旧友和相识，都会形容我聪敏过人，前途更是无可限量。不但如此，全州最大的报纸也报导过我的毕业礼，称我为“最有成就、最出众、最刚勇的褐白色校服学生”(那是我校校服的颜色)。中学时期，我处处成功。同学们推举我做各重要组织的主席；我的学业成绩在全州，甚至全国都享盛誉。我在州长办公厅接受优异成就的勋奖，已不止一次。在本地，用假腿打校际篮球更是人所皆知。这一切的高峰就是我在高中毕业礼中做学生代表致辞，而且考进全国最优秀高等学府就读（至低限度《美国新闻与国际报告》如此说)。有史以来我是第一个本校生进入这学府读书。现在，我是哈佛大学里成绩优异的学生，似乎全世界已在我脚下了。可是，在一切成功背后，却有一个难以解决的隐忧：我的骨癌已散布全身，我只剩下几个星期的寿命。这个年纪原是一生中最美好的日子，但我却站在八年与癌病搏斗失败的末路。虽然我只有二十一岁，但身体却非常衰弱，不久之后更会全然崩溃。实实在在，我每一下呼吸，都是一番挣扎哩！一共经过了十一次手术，一年化疗，以及一个月强度电疗之后，医生已无能为力了。按我自己的经历来看，我有时稀奇人被造时忍受痛楚的能耐是否比承受快乐更高。所罗门在传道书所说的话，经常在我耳边鸣响（还加上化疗破坏所带来的经常性耳鸣）：
你趁着年幼，衰败的日子尚未来到，就是你所说，我毫无喜乐的那些年日未曾临近之先，当记念造你的主。不要等到日头、光明、月亮、星宿变为黑暗，雨后云彩返回……传道者说：“虚空的虚空，凡事都是虚空！”(传12：1-8)
对我来说，苦难的日子来得早，当中全无欢乐可言。现在我知道，若不是为了基督，今生要背负十字架苦楚实在不值。在我最黑暗无光的日子，就如躺在深切治疗室病床上，七、八条管子从残疾的身体伸出来；那时，童年从主日学听来的美好答案，简直空洞得可怜！在这破碎的世界里，根本没有适切的答案，可以回答许多又可怕又矛盾的情况。光是言语是无意义的，尤其是在面对死亡的时刻。在这种景况里，惟一能支持我的是“记念造我的主”。在基督里，凡事都有其意义，是远超过我们所能明白及言语所能表达的。正如保罗在哥林多前书4：20说得最好：“因为神的国不在乎言语，乃在乎权能。” 神道成肉身成为人，他所受的痛苦远超过我所能想像。因此他能体会我们最深的苦楚。每次阅读耶稣前往拉撒路坟墓的记载，我都深深感动。他看见死亡在人心里带来的悲痛是何等的深切，便哭了：虽然他不久就叫拉撒路复活，他当刻仍悲痛不已。为着人竟落到如此境地，且被迫要忍受如斯极大的痛苦。我一向为此应许存着盼望；正如耶稣叫拉撒路复活一样，他也要医治我破碎的身体。
有时，虽然我们知道基督甘愿亲自受苦来拯救人类，却很容易忘记他这种怜爱的心肠。神用受苦来叫人更新，叫人得救，这个奥秘是我无法完全明白的。不过，圣经中就多次提及受苦受患难所带来拯救的能力，并有许多例子印证。保罗说：“不但如此，就是在患难中也是欢欢喜喜的；因为知道患难生忍耐，忍耐生老练，老练生盼望；盼望不至于羞耻。”(罗他甚至说连软弱、凌辱、急难、逼迫、困苦都是必须的，“好叫基督的能力覆庇我”(林后12：9-10)。我的一生确切证实了这话是真的，叫许多人得着盼望。神的荣耀透过我的困苦，向我和别人显明出来；不过，如果我经年极度痛苦与死搏斗，带来的好处只只是叫我周围健康的人可以旁观被动地得着鼓舞，那么我会认为神是宇宙间最残酷的恶者。但相反地，神叫我受苦主要是造就我，把我改造，使我能够更认识他。虽然外体逐渐衰残，内心却一天新似一天（林后4：16）。手术非常痛苦，但那大医生却开始医治我心灵。这个改变的过程是无法用逻辑来说明的，尤其是对那些未曾被神的炉火锻炼过的人。无蝓如何，我认识到这位创造主是如此爱我，不愿免去我面对极大的痛苦，好叫我能与他同得真生命。
我想，从受苦中获得好处这观念，始终是个难解的谜。当我们为自己编造的美梦虚象突然幻灭，一切都会变得空虚绝望！对我，今生曾有过的梦想、期望和计划都失去了，我为自己建立的一切也都被打碎了；可是，我如今知道，一切净尽之后所剩下的，一直以来就该是我人生一切的起点：就是对神的信心，并凡事按其旨意而行的盼望。
若没有神，生命是没有意义的，死亡就更加没有意义了。正如诗篇127篇说：“若不是耶和华建造房屋，建造的人就枉然劳力。”直至明白了这一点之后，我才开始体会基督所赐给我们的是什么。我一生所做的不会徒然，死亡不一定会获胜。基督使混乱变为井然有序，使劳苦枉然变为有目标，使绝望变为盼望，又使生命胜过死亡。 我前面说过自己有光明的前途，如今仍然是真的，并且比以前更真实。虽然我的病在世人眼中是个悲剧，但认识神的人就会明白真理，这真理是他亲自借耶稣基督进入人类历史带给我们的。正如神的话所说，一切美善都是从上头来的；今生尽管无法延长，但我这短暂人生所错过的一切福乐，都不过是那真正福乐的影儿。真正的生命始于神，死亡对我而言，并非生命的完结，乃是刚开始。鲁益师在《那里亚王国》(Chronicles of Narnia)一书中结尾的话，在此非常贴切：“如今他们终于开始了巨著的第一章，是地上没有人读过的。这故事将继续下去，永无止境，而且每一章比前一章更美妙。”
我盼望读这文章的每一个人，在“毫无喜乐的那些年日未曾临近之先”，都会记念造他的主。这样，当真的被迫要去面对死亡可怖的深渊时——其实这是人人无可避免的——他就能领你返回安全、宁静的境地，进入永远的荣耀去。
按语：1995年春，霍士达经由吉特士堡（Gittysburg），返回老家山南度市，与家人团聚。同年夏天，他回到主的怀里去。
作者：霍士达 出处：我在哈佛遇见神
今生尽管无法延长，但我这短暂人生所错过的一切福乐，都不过是那真正福乐的影儿。
霍士达在爱荷华州山南度市(Shenandoah, Iowa)念第八班的时候，因要打足球而接受例行健康检查。他说在第二年夏天：“医生说要切掉我一条腿，因我患了癌症。在二十四小时之内，手术就完成了。”他继续打中学垒球、篮球和网球，又被选为学生会会长。到了高中最后一年进入哈佛大学之前，他的肺部出现肿瘤。
这一年，士达念大学第二年，是1997年毕业那一届，他担起哈佛拉得克利夫基督徒团契(Harvard-Radcliffe Chistian FellowShip)的领导工作。他喜爱写作，爱读鲁益师的作品及苏俄文学。他爱绘风景画，因为“正如在‘真理论坛’(Veritas Forum)中所讨论的，‘美’是有意义内涵的；纵然‘美’带领人的目光超越其本身而直指其源头，却绝不抽象。当你绘画一幅风景画的时候，你自己也融为风景的一部分。”士达爱以油彩和塑胶彩来绘画，因为“每次我用水彩，就变成大水凼。”
1994年感恩节前一天，检查结果显示他有骨癌，是无手术可做的，且已扩散全身。他反省说：“我想我已体会到梦境不一定可以成真的。有时觉得自己在哈佛，就像一个必死的人活在不朽之地一般，由此我体会人人总有一日会晓得，生命与意义全来自爱神和彼此相爱。”霍士达专心研读历史，因为他说：“我喜欢发掘过去的人物——他们为什么而活，为什么而死。”
我那些在爱荷华乡村老家的旧友和相识，都会形容我聪敏过人，前途更是无可限量。不但如此，全州最大的报纸也报导过我的毕业礼，称我为“最有成就、最出众、最刚勇的褐白色校服学生”(那是我校校服的颜色)。中学时期，我处处成功。同学们推举我做各重要组织的主席；我的学业成绩在全州，甚至全国都享盛誉。我在州长办公厅接受优异成就的勋奖，已不止一次。在本地，用假腿打校际篮球更是人所皆知。这一切的高峰就是我在高中毕业礼中做学生代表致辞，而且考进全国最优秀高等学府就读（至低限度《美国新闻与国际报告》如此说)。有史以来我是第一个本校生进入这学府读书。现在，我是哈佛大学里成绩优异的学生，似乎全世界已在我脚下了。可是，在一切成功背后，却有一个难以解决的隐忧：我的骨癌已散布全身，我只剩下几个星期的寿命。这个年纪原是一生中最美好的日子，但我却站在八年与癌病搏斗失败的末路。虽然我只有二十一岁，但身体却非常衰弱，不久之后更会全然崩溃。实实在在，我每一下呼吸，都是一番挣扎哩！一共经过了十一次手术，一年化疗，以及一个月强度电疗之后，医生已无能为力了。按我自己的经历来看，我有时稀奇人被造时忍受痛楚的能耐是否比承受快乐更高。所罗门在传道书所说的话，经常在我耳边鸣响（还加上化疗破坏所带来的经常性耳鸣）：
你趁着年幼，衰败的日子尚未来到，就是你所说，我毫无喜乐的那些年日未曾临近之先，当记念造你的主。不要等到日头、光明、月亮、星宿变为黑暗，雨后云彩返回……传道者说：“虚空的虚空，凡事都是虚空！”(传12：1-8)
对我来说，苦难的日子来得早，当中全无欢乐可言。现在我知道，若不是为了基督，今生要背负十字架苦楚实在不值。在我最黑暗无光的日子，就如躺在深切治疗室病床上，七、八条管子从残疾的身体伸出来；那时，童年从主日学听来的美好答案，简直空洞得可怜！在这破碎的世界里，根本没有适切的答案，可以回答许多又可怕又矛盾的情况。光是言语是无意义的，尤其是在面对死亡的时刻。在这种景况里，惟一能支持我的是“记念造我的主”。在基督里，凡事都有其意义，是远超过我们所能明白及言语所能表达的。正如保罗在哥林多前书4：20说得最好：“因为神的国不在乎言语，乃在乎权能。” 神道成肉身成为人，他所受的痛苦远超过我所能想像。因此他能体会我们最深的苦楚。每次阅读耶稣前往拉撒路坟墓的记载，我都深深感动。他看见死亡在人心里带来的悲痛是何等的深切，便哭了：虽然他不久就叫拉撒路复活，他当刻仍悲痛不已。为着人竟落到如此境地，且被迫要忍受如斯极大的痛苦。我一向为此应许存着盼望；正如耶稣叫拉撒路复活一样，他也要医治我破碎的身体。
有时，虽然我们知道基督甘愿亲自受苦来拯救人类，却很容易忘记他这种怜爱的心肠。神用受苦来叫人更新，叫人得救，这个奥秘是我无法完全明白的。不过，圣经中就多次提及受苦受患难所带来拯救的能力，并有许多例子印证。保罗说：“不但如此，就是在患难中也是欢欢喜喜的；因为知道患难生忍耐，忍耐生老练，老练生盼望；盼望不至于羞耻。”(罗他甚至说连软弱、凌辱、急难、逼迫、困苦都是必须的，“好叫基督的能力覆庇我”(林后12：9-10)。我的一生确切证实了这话是真的，叫许多人得着盼望。神的荣耀透过我的困苦，向我和别人显明出来；不过，如果我经年极度痛苦与死搏斗，带来的好处只只是叫我周围健康的人可以旁观被动地得着鼓舞，那么我会认为神是宇宙间最残酷的恶者。但相反地，神叫我受苦主要是造就我，把我改造，使我能够更认识他。虽然外体逐渐衰残，内心却一天新似一天（林后4：16）。手术非常痛苦，但那大医生却开始医治我心灵。这个改变的过程是无法用逻辑来说明的，尤其是对那些未曾被神的炉火锻炼过的人。无蝓如何，我认识到这位创造主是如此爱我，不愿免去我面对极大的痛苦，好叫我能与他同得真生命。
我想，从受苦中获得好处这观念，始终是个难解的谜。当我们为自己编造的美梦虚象突然幻灭，一切都会变得空虚绝望！对我，今生曾有过的梦想、期望和计划都失去了，我为自己建立的一切也都被打碎了；可是，我如今知道，一切净尽之后所剩下的，一直以来就该是我人生一切的起点：就是对神的信心，并凡事按其旨意而行的盼望。
若没有神，生命是没有意义的，死亡就更加没有意义了。正如诗篇127篇说：“若不是耶和华建造房屋，建造的人就枉然劳力。”直至明白了这一点之后，我才开始体会基督所赐给我们的是什么。我一生所做的不会徒然，死亡不一定会获胜。基督使混乱变为井然有序，使劳苦枉然变为有目标，使绝望变为盼望，又使生命胜过死亡。 我前面说过自己有光明的前途，如今仍然是真的，并且比以前更真实。虽然我的病在世人眼中是个悲剧，但认识神的人就会明白真理，这真理是他亲自借耶稣基督进入人类历史带给我们的。正如神的话所说，一切美善都是从上头来的；今生尽管无法延长，但我这短暂人生所错过的一切福乐，都不过是那真正福乐的影儿。真正的生命始于神，死亡对我而言，并非生命的完结，乃是刚开始。鲁益师在《那里亚王国》(Chronicles of Narnia)一书中结尾的话，在此非常贴切：“如今他们终于开始了巨著的第一章，是地上没有人读过的。这故事将继续下去，永无止境，而且每一章比前一章更美妙。”
我盼望读这文章的每一个人，在“毫无喜乐的那些年日未曾临近之先”，都会记念造他的主。这样，当真的被迫要去面对死亡可怖的深渊时——其实这是人人无可避免的——他就能领你返回安全、宁静的境地，进入永远的荣耀去。
按语：1995年春，霍士达经由吉特士堡（Gittysburg），返回老家山南度市，与家人团聚。同年夏天，他回到主的怀里去。
prayer
If it's any encouragement to you, there isn't a praying person anywhere whohasn't felt the pain of waiting on answered prayer. It's part of thepackage of being a follower of Jesus. If all the answers came overnight, wewould not be called a people of faith.
~~John Hull and Tim ElmorePivotal Praying
I prayed, and the LORD has granted me My petition which I asked of Him.1 SAMUEL 1:27
Happiness is an attitude.We either make ourselves miserable,Or happy and strong. The amount of work is the same.
~~Francesca Reigler
~~John Hull and Tim ElmorePivotal Praying
I prayed, and the LORD has granted me My petition which I asked of Him.1 SAMUEL 1:27
Happiness is an attitude.We either make ourselves miserable,Or happy and strong. The amount of work is the same.
~~Francesca Reigler
view angle
There are two ways to look at every situation in life:
Is the cup half empty? Or is the cup half full?
It is amazing how our perceptionCan be changed by our attitude.
For example,Think about God and then look at these letters.
N-O-W-H-E-R-E
You can assume that God is NO WHERE.
Or you can believe thatGod is NOW HERE!
Follow this advice and you can improve your life:
Always remember that you are loved,Even when it doesn't seem like it.
Believe in yourself and your values.Don't sell out when things go wrong.
Don't let anything get you down;Always bounce back up.
Set goals for your futureAnd never settle for anything less.
Realize that there are others in the worldWith much bigger problems than you.
Appreciate the good things in your life, andBe thankful for the time you have with your loved ones.
Spend more time with your family and friends.
Appreciate the simple things in life,And don't get caught up in material things.
If you follow that advice you can't go wrong!
So the next time you're looking at a situation in your life:
Is the cup half empty? Or is the cup half full?
Be an optimist and see the cup as being half full.Before long, your attitude will rub off on others.You can make the world a better placeBy simply making yourself a happier person.
If you see someone without a smile,Give them one of yours.Here's one to get you started.
Have A Terrific Day!
Is the cup half empty? Or is the cup half full?
It is amazing how our perceptionCan be changed by our attitude.
For example,Think about God and then look at these letters.
N-O-W-H-E-R-E
You can assume that God is NO WHERE.
Or you can believe thatGod is NOW HERE!
Follow this advice and you can improve your life:
Always remember that you are loved,Even when it doesn't seem like it.
Believe in yourself and your values.Don't sell out when things go wrong.
Don't let anything get you down;Always bounce back up.
Set goals for your futureAnd never settle for anything less.
Realize that there are others in the worldWith much bigger problems than you.
Appreciate the good things in your life, andBe thankful for the time you have with your loved ones.
Spend more time with your family and friends.
Appreciate the simple things in life,And don't get caught up in material things.
If you follow that advice you can't go wrong!
So the next time you're looking at a situation in your life:
Is the cup half empty? Or is the cup half full?
Be an optimist and see the cup as being half full.Before long, your attitude will rub off on others.You can make the world a better placeBy simply making yourself a happier person.
If you see someone without a smile,Give them one of yours.Here's one to get you started.
Have A Terrific Day!
Start with joy
Start with joy
+++++++++++++++++++
There's a reason why the sunrise is so beautiful and magnificent.
It sets the stage for a positive, fulfilling day.
When you start the day by choosing to be joyful, you put yourself in a creative, effective state of mind.
You'll make yourself better able to handle whatever may come your way during the day.
A relationship that gets off to a positive start at the very beginning will quickly flourish and build great value.
You can forge a positive relationship with each day when you begin it in a joyful way.
Even if the day is gray and gloomy you can choose to start it with a positive experience of your own making.
Fulfillment comes to those who make it happen, and there's no better time than the beginning of your day to start moving forward.
There's an endless list of ways in which you can begin the day on a positive note.
And the days that start well have the best chance of going well.
A new day arrives, ready to be lived.
Choose to start it with joy.
Ralph Marston
+++++++++++++++++++
There's a reason why the sunrise is so beautiful and magnificent.
It sets the stage for a positive, fulfilling day.
When you start the day by choosing to be joyful, you put yourself in a creative, effective state of mind.
You'll make yourself better able to handle whatever may come your way during the day.
A relationship that gets off to a positive start at the very beginning will quickly flourish and build great value.
You can forge a positive relationship with each day when you begin it in a joyful way.
Even if the day is gray and gloomy you can choose to start it with a positive experience of your own making.
Fulfillment comes to those who make it happen, and there's no better time than the beginning of your day to start moving forward.
There's an endless list of ways in which you can begin the day on a positive note.
And the days that start well have the best chance of going well.
A new day arrives, ready to be lived.
Choose to start it with joy.
Ralph Marston
Thursday, December 06, 2007
The miracle that is now
The miracle that is now
The miracle that is now
+++++++++++++++++++
There is a miracle in every moment.
Look closely, andlovingly, and you will clearly see it.
There is an innate and elegant beauty in even the most
ordinary of things.
Learn to love that beauty, and to let it be,
and your eyes will be opened to wondrous possibilities.
There always and everywhere is a quiet yet unyielding peace,upon which rests all that is.
The more often you reach inand touch this peace the more fully you experience its power.
Anything that is negative, deceptive or destructive will eventually consume and obliterate itself. What is authentic,peaceful and creative will continue to grow more pervasive.
When you need nothing other than to simply be,
you have every beautiful and wonderful and miraculous thing there is.
Life's richness is never more than a single thought away.
Breathe in deeply the beauty, the wonder, the miracle thatis now.
Know the joy that cannot ever fade.
Ralph Marston
The miracle that is now
+++++++++++++++++++
There is a miracle in every moment.
Look closely, andlovingly, and you will clearly see it.
There is an innate and elegant beauty in even the most
ordinary of things.
Learn to love that beauty, and to let it be,
and your eyes will be opened to wondrous possibilities.
There always and everywhere is a quiet yet unyielding peace,upon which rests all that is.
The more often you reach inand touch this peace the more fully you experience its power.
Anything that is negative, deceptive or destructive will eventually consume and obliterate itself. What is authentic,peaceful and creative will continue to grow more pervasive.
When you need nothing other than to simply be,
you have every beautiful and wonderful and miraculous thing there is.
Life's richness is never more than a single thought away.
Breathe in deeply the beauty, the wonder, the miracle thatis now.
Know the joy that cannot ever fade.
Ralph Marston
Success within you
Success within you+++++++++++++++++++
The success you seek is a reality that already exists withinyou.
Your actions are the way you express that reality and bring it to your outer world.
Achievement is not a matter of becoming successful.
It is a matter of fully demonstrating the success that is alreadywithin you.
Success is not something that you must strive to obtain oracquire.
Instead, it is a beautiful and unique gift that you
are able to give to your world.
Every success, every achievement comes from within.
Nothing can separate you from the success you desire because it isalready a part of you.
When the success that is within you drives your actions,
that success will surely and faithfully flow out from you.
Live the success that is yours, and that success willsurround you.
Choose in each moment to fully and lovingly share the
success that is within you.
The expression of that success will add great value and beauty to your world.
Ralph Marston
The success you seek is a reality that already exists withinyou.
Your actions are the way you express that reality and bring it to your outer world.
Achievement is not a matter of becoming successful.
It is a matter of fully demonstrating the success that is alreadywithin you.
Success is not something that you must strive to obtain oracquire.
Instead, it is a beautiful and unique gift that you
are able to give to your world.
Every success, every achievement comes from within.
Nothing can separate you from the success you desire because it isalready a part of you.
When the success that is within you drives your actions,
that success will surely and faithfully flow out from you.
Live the success that is yours, and that success willsurround you.
Choose in each moment to fully and lovingly share the
success that is within you.
The expression of that success will add great value and beauty to your world.
Ralph Marston
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)