Marc and Angel Hack Life

Every heart sings a song, incomplete,
until another heart whispers back.
―Plato

At a time in history when we are communicating more rapidly than ever – via texts, tweets and email volleys, one after the next – it seems there is hardly anyone among us who couldn’t use some tips to facilitate more heartfelt communication for our in-person interactions with the people we care about most.

Here are some ideas to get you started:

1.  Tell them how important they are, often.

Here’s a wake-up call for you:  No matter how sure you are of someone’s love, it’s always nice to be reminded of it.

Loving someone and having them love you back is the most precious phenomenon in the world, and it should be expressed as such.  When you truly love someone, be loving in words and deeds every single day.  Don’t beat around the bush.  Be straightforward.

If you appreciate someone today, tell them.  If you adore someone today, show them.  Hearts are often confused and broken by thoughtful words left unspoken and loving deeds left undone.  There might not be a tomorrow.  Today is the day to express your love and admiration.

2.  Communicate your feelings openly.

Your parents may have told you that it’s not what you say but how you say it that Keep reading →

“Some people believe holding on and hanging in there are signs of great strength. However, there are times when it takes much more strength to know when to let go and then do it.”
―Ann Landers

You are changing.  The universe around you is changing.  Just because something was right for you in the past doesn’t mean it still is.  This could be a relationship, a job, a home, a habit, etc.

It happens to you slowly as you grow.  You discover more about who you are and what you want out of life, and then you realize there are deliberate changes you need to make to keep up with the changes happening around you and within you.

The lifestyle you’ve been living no longer fits.  The specific people and routines you’ve known forever no longer align with your values.  So you cherish all the memories, but find yourself letting go and moving on.

If you’re currently dealing with this process you may feel a bit awkward, and that’s OK.  This feeling is normal.  I’ve been right there with you on more occasions than I can count.

Reasons to Let Go and Move On

1. Someone’s negativity is rubbing off on you. – You are the average of the people you spend the most time with.  In other words, who you spend your time with has a great impact on the person you are and the person you become.  If you are around cynical and negative people all the time, you will become cynical and negative.
2. You have grown apart from someone. – Sad but true, no matter what you do or how much you explain yourself, some people will gradually Keep reading →

We are our thoughts. We cannot change anything
if we cannot change our thinking.

You have a train of thought on which you ride when you are alone and quietly thinking.  The self-worth you feel, as well as the happiness your life brings, depends upon the direction in which this train is moving, the baggage it carries and the emotional space through which it travels.  Between life’s stimulus and your reaction is where this space exists; within it is your power to choose how you react, and in your reaction lies your growth, freedom and happiness.

If you truly want to change your life, you must first change your mind.  You must free it from the restrictive thinking that holds you back.

Here are 50 thought-provoking quotes gathered from our sister site, Everyday Life Lessons, and from our blog archive that will help tweak your thinking and set your mind free.

1. You are only destined to become one person – the person you decide to be.
2. Do good and feel good.  Do bad and feel bad.  It’s that simple.
3. You are what you do today, not what you say you’ll do tomorrow.
4. We all make choices, but in the end our choices make us.
5. Ultimately, it’s not what you do every once in a while; it’s what you dedicate yourself to on a regular basis that makes the difference.
6. Stay true to yourself.  Never be ashamed of doing what feels right.  Decide what you think is right and stick to it.
7. If you don’t stand for anything, you will remain forever on your knees.
8. No amount of money will make you happy if you aren’t happy with yourself.
9. You know you’ve made the right decision when there is peace in your heart. Keep reading →

Toxic friends complicate your life.  These people are more than a nuisance, they’re parasitic.  Precious time slips away as you deal with their negativity; and you’re left wondering why you feel so despondent.  If you’re ready to simplify your life, you can’t condone these toxic friendships any longer.

What Toxic Friends Do

1. They drain you. – You feel psychologically and emotionally depleted after spending time with them, instead of uplifted.  (Read Emotional Blackmail.)
2. They are unsupportive. – You’re afraid to tell them about new, important aspects of your life because they’ve been unsupportive or downright rude about your ideas in the past.
3. They are up to no good. – They regularly partake in activities that are morally unjust.
4. Their values and interests are opposite to your own. – Dissimilar value systems often mix like oil and water.  This doesn’t necessarily mean the other person is wrong, it just means they aren’t right for you.
5. They are unreliable. – They always break their promises.
6. They only contact you when they need something. – Otherwise you never hear from them.
7. They aren’t meeting you halfway. – If you are always the one calling your friend to make plans and going out of your way to be with them, but they never return the favor and attempt to go out of her way for you, there’s a problem. Keep reading →

There is greatness and beauty in doing something
inconvenient for the sake of someone you care about.

All relationships require work.  They don’t just materialize and maintain themselves, and they aren’t built on a foundation of convenience either.  They take time and patience and two people who are willing to put in the effort.

Here’s how to do your part – nine things your relationships need from you:

1.  Attention

Neglect based on lack of attention damages relationships far more often than malicious abuse.  There’s nothing more vital to the bond you share with others than simply being there for them.

When we pay attention to each other we breathe new life into each other.  With frequent attention and affection our relationships flourish, and we as individuals grow stronger.  This is the side effect of a good relationship – we help heal each other’s wounds and support each other’s strengths.

Bottom line:  Stay in close touch with those who matter to you – communicate openly on a regular basis.  Not because it’s convenient, but because these people are worth the extra effort.

2.  Trust

The entire fabric of our society – people working, living and breathing together – relies on the positive beliefs we have about each other – a subtle, inherent trust.  This trust is the glue that holds every peaceful civilization together.  Which is why trust is the greatest compliment you can give a person, even greater than love. Keep reading →

A few weeks ago I wrote about a school project entitled “Lessons Life Teaches” that I helped my neighbor’s son, Jesse, with.  After we were done discussing the project, Jesse and I chatted for an hour about growing up and his imminent transition out of high school and into adulthood.  He asked me one question after the next about college, career options, entrepreneurship, starting and running a popular blog, etc.  He was thirsting for knowledge, and I was truly inspired by his enthusiasm to learn about all the possibilities that await him in the next phase of his life.

It was his final question that really made me think though.  He asked, “What am I not learning in the classroom?”  I answered the question as best I could, and tried to give some decent advice with the time I had, but for some reason this question stuck with me.  Now that I’ve had some time to think about it I realize there are actually several important lessons that can’t be fully taught or learned in a classroom environment.  Here are the first eight that came to mind when I sat down to write this morning:

1.  Unimagined, real world life experiences.

The most prolific experience is not in achieving something, but in seeking it.  It is the journey towards an endless horizon that matters – goals that move forward with you as you chase them.  It’s all about the pursuit and what you learn along the way – the ‘moving.’

The most important reason for moving from one place to another is to see what’s in between.  In between is where passions are realized, love is found, strength is Keep reading →

“Do one thing every day that scares you.”
―Eleanor Roosevelt

Fear is the most powerful single factor that deprives you of being able to achieve your full potential.  You experience it most often as a result of your own thoughts and emotional visions, rather than actual real world causes.  In other words, you become fearful of a fantasy – something that doesn’t exist.

Fear is a cloaked enemy that whispers negative thoughts into your mind, body and soul.  It tries to convince you that you will not succeed and that you cannot achieve your full potential.  These thoughts are lies.

The road you are traveling may be a bit scary at times, but don’t lose faith.  Don’t listen to your fears and the fears of those around you.  Don’t let old setbacks work their way into your present thinking.  And most of all, don’t give up on what’s important to you.

It’s fine to feel a bit uncomfortable.  It’s okay if you don’t know exactly what’s going to happen next, or how much you can handle.  As long as you gradually step forward you will learn what you need to know.  You will let go of the scary things that ‘might happen’ and start to see all the great realities unfolding around you.

This is your life and it’s an open road.  Grab the wheel with both hands and keep steering yourself around all the unnecessary fears and uncertainties as they arise.  Here’s how…

1.  Envision and declare what you want.

Regardless of fear or actual real world barriers, whenever you want to achieve something, you have to envision it and declare it.  You have to keep your eyes open and focused specifically on what you want.  It’s simply impossible to hit a target you haven’t declared, or get anywhere worthwhile with your eyes closed and your vision blurred. Keep reading →

“Though the road’s been rocky, it sure feels good to me.”
―Bob Marley

About a decade ago my grandmother, a woman whom I respected and cherished dearly, turned eighty years old.  I’ve written about her before, but I’ll do her justice once again by restating that she was one of the wisest and most humble people I’ve ever known.  Although a bit soft-spoken, every time she did speak priceless wisdom rattled the eardrums of those lucky enough to be around.

On the evening of her eightieth birthday, in a moment of genuine humility but obvious self-doubt she asked me, “Marc, at my age, do you think I still matter?  Do you think I still have more to achieve?”  I was completely speechless and I stumbled over my words for several seconds.  Here I am in the presence of someone whom I have an undying respect for, and she’s asking me whether or not she matters.

I finally collected myself and said, “Grandma, yes – 110% yes!  You matter and you still have a lot to look forward to.  I’m not telling you this because I love you, but because it’s the truth.  As time rolls on you will prove this truth to yourself, and I will be there to support you every step of the way.”

My grandmother sat silently for a moment, smiled and replied, “Thank you dear.  I needed to hear that.  I’m honestly looking forward to the journey ahead.” Keep reading →

“Happiness, not in another place but this place…
not for another hour, but this hour.”
―Walt Whitman

All around the world, the present moment is filled with beauty.

If you are attentive, you will see it.  If you are willing, you will help create it.

Let’s take a moment to think about the beautiful things happening around us.

Right now, at this exact moment…

1. A newborn infant just took her first breath.
2. Two teenage romantics just received their very first kiss, from each other.
3. Someone is driving their car with the windows down and singing to their favorite song at the top of their lungs.
4. Volunteers in different cities are actively assisting and standing up for the powerless, the homeless, and the neglected who need someone to speak up for them.
5. Someone is in the middle of complimenting a stranger who desperately needed a reason to smile.
6. Two coworkers are cracking each other up and laughing so hard they aren’t even making any noise. Keep reading →

There’s scarcely any happiness, passion or success without struggle.  Life is a constant climb, but the journey is rewarding and the view is great.  It’s just a matter of pushing forward when the going gets tough.

Here are nine power quotes and some additional tips to help inspire you when you need it most.

1.  Growth and Change

“And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.”  ―Anaïs Nin

Discontent is the principal necessity of positive growth, but only if you do something constructive with it.  Without deviation from what you’ve been doing, progress is not possible.  Don’t be someone who goes through greater lengths to avoid change than you do to obtain what you desire.  You must define and embrace the necessary changes that move you forward.

Your life will begin to improve when you define precisely what ‘improve’ means to you.  The agonies and frustrations will start to ease only when you have something real and positive to replace them with.  Be specific.  Happiness is not a goal, it’s the result of a life well lived.  The question is:  How do you want to live going forward?

To effectively move away from an unfavorable situation, you must decide exactly where you wish to go.  Create a formidable intention for yourself, and feed that intention with the passion and energy that’s in your desire for change.  Go beyond your discontent for what is, and instead focus on imagining and creating the best of what’s possible.  Clearly know where you wish to go, and then take the first real step that gets you there.  Read 1,000 Little Things.

2.  Problems and Opportunities

“What is the difference between an obstacle and an opportunity?  Our attitude toward it.  Every opportunity has a difficulty, and every difficulty has an opportunity.”  ―J. Sidlow Baxter

Truth be told, you have to create more opportunities than you are handed in this world, and you have to design them with your own blood, sweat and tears.  The effort, however, is well worth it.

There’s no shortage of problems waiting to be addressed.  When you see problems piled on top of problems, and when there seems to be no end to the Keep reading →