When life pushes you over, stand up and push back even harder. Where there is a fork in the road and choices to make, make the ones your future self will thank you for.
Today, start…
- Choosing YOU. – Wearing a mask wears you out. Faking it is fatiguing. The most exhausting activity is pretending to be who you know you aren’t. No matter how loud their opinions are, they do not choose who YOU are. Choose YOU even if nobody else is choosing you.
- Appreciating what you have. – Sometimes, when you make the most out of what you have, it turns out being a lot more than you ever imagined. A beautiful day begins with a beautiful mindset. When you wake up, take a second to think about what a privilege it is to simply be alive and healthy. The moment you start acting like life is a blessing, I assure you that it will start to feel like one. Time spent living is time worth appreciating. Read The Power of Now.
- Believing in yourself and your dreams. – The most difficult phase of life is not when no one understands you; it’s when you don’t understand yourself. Believe in YOU. Listen to your soul. Trust your instincts. Acknowledge your own strengths. Dream it and dare it. Do what you are afraid of, and capable of. Follow your vision. Know that anything is possible. Know you CAN.
- Being positive. – You can’t live a positive life with a negative attitude. Heaven on Earth is a choice we must make, not a place we must find. Let every day be a dream you can touch. Let every day be a love you can feel. Let every day be a reason to live. Life is too short to be anything but positive.
- Taking action. – The happiest and most successful people are usually those who have broken the chains of procrastination, who find satisfaction in doing the job at hand. They’re full of eagerness, passion, and productivity. You can be too. Remember, success in real estate is about location, location, location. Success in life is about action, action, action. Read Getting Things Done.
- Letting go. – The only thing that makes it a big part of your life is that you keep thinking about it. The biggest step in changing the world around you is to change the world within you. Don’t cry over the past, it’s gone. Don’t stress about the future, it hasn’t arrived. Just live in the present, concentrate on the things you can control, and take one small step at a time.
- Picking yourself back up. – Where you are in life is temporary; where you end up in life is permanent; how you get from here to there is entirely up to you. So don’t give up. Sometimes when things go wrong it’s because they would have turned out worse if they had gone right.
- Ignoring negative people. – You are not a rug; some people may try to walk all over you, but you don’t have to lie there and take it. There are seven billion people in the world; don’t waste your time by letting one of them ruin your happiness. You are good enough, smart enough, beautiful enough, and strong enough. Somewhere someone is looking for exactly what you have to offer.
- Staying in touch with close friends and family. – Having somewhere to go is what we call ‘home.’ Having someone to love, who loves us in return, is what we call ‘family.’ Having both is a blessing. There comes a time in life when you’ll have to leave everything behind for awhile and start something new, but never forget the people who stood by your side, especially your close friends and family who never gave up on you.
- Making time for fun. – Fun is way underrated. With all of life’s responsibilities, fun will sometimes seem like an indulgence. It shouldn’t be. It should be a requirement. It’s a happy talent to know how to let loose and play. People who make it a point play around and have fun are twenty times more likely to feel happy in the long run.
- Spreading love and kindness. – The amazing thing about life is that you choose what you allow into it and out of it – you choose how things affect you, and how you affect the world. The happiness surrounding you is greatly affected by the choices you make every day. So choose to spread love and kindness to a least one person a day. Imagine the amount of happiness you would create in a lifetime if you did. Read The Happiness Project.
- Being the change you want to see in the world. – Don’t tell others how to live; LIVE and let them watch you. Practice what you preach or don’t preach at all. Walk the talk. The people who look up to you will likely emulate your actions and strive to become who you are; so BE who you want them to be.
Photo by: Katie Weilbacher
Josh B. says
“Where you are in life is temporary; where you end up in life is permanent; how you get from here to there is entirely up to you. So don’t give up. Sometimes when things go wrong it’s because they would have turned out worse if they had gone right.”
Perfect.
dustin says
Another great post! You guys have been life changing. Just an fyi: I have also told all of the great people in my life about your sight. Thanks, and keep it up.
Abdullah says
A BIG YES to #12. Well stated. 🙂
Maddie says
Wow, what a great article. You guys are honestly life changing. I look foward to each article&savor every word. You really change my outlook on life. Thank you 🙂
Gail says
I love, love your posts and eagerly wait to read each new one, like I have said many times your wisdom truly amazes me! Every point in this blog is valid but #2 #8 #11 really stand out for me.
Hope you realise Marc, how much good your posts do and also they are very much appreciated.
MaryBeth says
I recently lost my work /joy of caring for 12 wonderful and trained German Shepherds -not many hours-8-12-however going to work and caring for these gentle dogs was like visiting a cathedral in the woods-after a traumatic bruising to my arm (black from shoulder to wrist) that occurred at the kennels and not being able to return to work I was let go-at 60 and having been in good shape thanks to yoga this effected me more than I would have thought possible-your post today opened new thought avenues Thank-you
HC Pant says
The reflections of being nice, honest, compassionate and friendliness create an environment of Bliss all around. Your articles are Inspiring, Invigorating and uplifting. The path to Happiness is within oneself. Love is the mightiest Power in the world. Thanks
amenze says
Marc and Angel, your posts are always lovely. Your site has really helped me in life. I’ve recommended your site to my friends and loved ones. Thanks for everything. I appreciate it.
PhoenixRose360 says
I struggle with #1, because I’m always putting everyone else first. But I’m realizing that if I don’t put myself first, no one else will. So starting today, I’m choosing ME!!
Frank says
Life isn’t about finding yourself, it is about creating yourself and your articles really help. Thank you and keep up the great work.
Ara Bedrossian says
As Josh B noted, acknowledgment of death is powerful. It leads to the gratitude we need to build to be happy. And a perspective that we cannot change the big things or what others do, but we can change ourselves. Positive change. Cheers to that.
Elaine says
“Where you are in life is temporary; where you end up in life is permanent; how you get from here to there is entirely up to you. So don’t give up. Sometimes when things go wrong it’s because they would have turned out worse if they had gone right.”
Thank you so much or this for I am currently going through this. I was so excited for a job opportunity, interviewed, was getting close, it was down to two candidates and the position has been changed. I was disappointed and felt discouraged but decided to not let it continue to affect me and said something better is coming my way, went out and had a great time!
TwinkleOz says
Wow…I love receiving your emails. It gives me lots of hope for myself and the future. I need to do more of 2, 3, 4,5, 6!!!
Veronica says
Thank you… as usual your post arrived in my Inbox at the perfect time! Thank you so much.x
Chu Nam says
I’m feeling better after reading through this post.
12 amazing things that will make better life for many people out there.
Everything is contained within us..
Thank you
C.C says
“Ignoring negative people. – You are not a rug; some people may try to walk all over you, but you don’t have to lie there and take it. There are seven billion people in the world; don’t waste your time by letting one of them ruin your happiness. You are good enough, smart enough, beautiful enough, and strong enough. Somewhere someone is looking for exactly what you have to offer.”
— Comforting words after a painful break up. Thanks.
Melanie S. says
Ignoring negative people made my cry…I am good enough, smart enough,beautiful enough and strong enough. Thank you for this-I really needed it.
Momma Judy says
Well, I am definitely impressed. Found this through a post on FB….yes, indeed, impressed!
Deb says
I love your posts, everytime I read them I feel enriched and empowered. I want to share them with everyone! Thank you!!
Amber says
Number 12 is my favorite as well 🙂 wonderful work as always Marc!
Mrs. Jen B says
Inspiring, as always. Reading your blog is time well-spent, as always. Thank you, as always.
Jim Clark says
Your words are spreading… keep on sending them to us.
akshay says
I love all your posts and make it a point to read almost all of them… especially when i am in bed and about to sleep. Your articles have been really inspiring for me, and contain practical solutions to the daily life problems I face. thanks a lot!
Aldo Notarandrea says
Great post, but let me comment on #8) “You are good enough, smart enough, beautiful enough, and strong enough. Somewhere someone is looking for exactly what you have to offer.”
My response:
beautiful enough? good enough? Well, easy to say and im sure most of us would love it if people believed that about themselves but wheres the proof??? said Jill. Wheres the proof said Jack… Jill’s mom always tells her how beautiful she is but its her mom so of course her mom is going to tell her that. Jill’s best friend tells her the same thing but again, its her best friend so of course she’s going to say that. Jill’s 65 year old teacher tells her that but why doesn’t the cute guy from down the street that’s the same age as Jill tell her that.. Why doesn’t the popular girls at school tell her that? Jill wants to hear it from the people and so does Jack… Granted, Jill should empower herself and not care what others think but tell that to a teenager and see how they respond. So, teaching them these tools at a young age becomes the mission.
However, it is nice to hear the positive thoughts that others have about us from time to time as well. I mean why not.. We hear enough of peoples thoughts when they’re upset as they drive by and honk their horn or complain by giving others the finger due to road rage. So, why not spread positive vibes instead. Jack may be confident in some ways but Jack would probably pass out from a heart attack from disbelief if a sober female around his age told him that he was good looking, intelligent, etc…
my point: how many people do you tell this to on the street everyday… how many people in your everday life do you say these things to. how many genuine compliments do you give to the people around you. i think the focus should be more on what we can do to make the “YOU” whom your referring to, realize this. I WANT EVIDENCE, said the Judge. i also realize that we should find that evidence within ourselves and that’s what this blog is centered around but we still have the power to contribute as well. We have the power to stop being afraid of facing those we don’t know and actually spreading a positive vibe to those around us, in everyday life.
I found your blog very informative on what we shouldn’t think or do… the problems you stated in this blog and the alternatives are spot on. However, if you will, I’d love to hear detailed solutions that you may have to contribute. Most importantly, if you folks will, please consider what i said above about spreading this positive vibe around to people you see on a daily basis. ACTION, GO!
David J. Singer says
What a brilliant concept. Makes me think this twist on your headline:
Live in the present and your future self will thank you.
Great stuff Marc.
Thank you.
Best regards,
David
Jane Wolfe says
I love #4. Fun is so underrated. It is when we’re having fun that our souls really get to shine. And when we’re shinning other people can feel the glow and shine back. Thanks for another list of great tips!
shinners says
I am truly inspired , Reading your blog just gives me a huge lift.Im excited about life again for the first time in years thank you
Karna says
Great post – I so resonate with your message. At The Institute for the Psychology of Eating we teach similar strategies and it’s so nice to see other people out there spreading new approaches to health and wellness. Thank you!
Carmelo says
Great message. Sometimes we scurry about trying to do this, do that … fix this and fix that … be here for him and there for her. Yet, we’re not at peace with ourselves.
Right now I’m thinking of an incredible woman who passed away recently. I’m thinking of her grace, her journey, her connection to us all and I realize that her service to the world was simple:
She was herself. She was strong, caring and her “cup was full.” That, alone, was enough. And we all were better for it.
Carmelo
elizabeth says
Reading your blog always feels like a giant hug.
Diana says
Love all your posts and forward them to many others. This one is especially nice.
Jamie says
One thing my future self will definitely thank me for (if I can accomplish it) is accepting myself. By that I mean learning to be truly comfortable with who I am. All my strengths, weaknesses and everything in between.
Jay says
What about the saying “fake it till you feel it”. Or studies that show that the act of smiling causes the release of neurotransmitters that actually make you happy, even if you were “faking” the smile? I agree that you should always be authentic but…how do you get out of a sadness vortex?
Braja Patnaik says
The most important thing about this post is that these are all choices that we have. And when we talk of choices, we have the freedom to choose it on our own. So, we are solely responsible to make these choices and thus define our future. The future,thus, is not something which our luck or social conditioning or environment hands over to us; it is something that we shape with our choices in the present!
Ariana S says
This was indeed very helpful and motivating.
However, I only ask you one question: What if the “loved ones” who you ‘thought’ “stood by you”, only turned out to be the REAL devils in your life. (Ie: friends, family members, close colleagues, etc.) What do you do then?? Who will you want to trust again?? No one! You trusted the ones YOU thought were apparently “the ones who love you” and got deceived by those same people!!
And the WORSE part about it all is when THEY are the ones who can control your future and your present! They reign your life: your education, your status in society, your reputation, and even your positive influence on others. They crush you beneath their feet. But, in order to get you to follow THEIR will, they merely torture you by indirectly threatening constant reminders to you about their powers and higher authority.
Deyanira says
This post just made my day, such a great start for me today. =) thank you for sharing it with the world!
Karina says
Thank you! I needed to read exactly that after a good portion of self doubt I was experiencing this evening…
Daksh says
All I want to say is a wholehearted big thank you for helping me feel great in life. You guys are amazing 🙂
Parlez-vous says
Best article I have read in a while.
Marlena says
Living a healthy lifestyle…
manoj says
Best motivating article I have read in a long time…
Saloni says
“Believing in yourself and your dreams. – The most difficult phase of life is not when no one understands you; it’s when you don’t understand yourself. Believe in YOU. Listen to your soul. Trust your instincts. Acknowledge your own strengths. Dream it and dare it. Do what you are afraid of, and capable of. Follow your vision. Know that anything is possible. Know you CAN.”
Thank you for this I really needed it!