Sometimes I catch myself staring at the people around me – studying their mannerisms and expressions. I wonder, “What is their story? What are they searching for? What makes their heart beat with happiness, with sorrow, with fear, with longing?” And then I ask myself, “What words might I post on this blog to inspire them, and to remind them that, even on the toughest of days, our hearts all beat for these same things?”
Today I figured I’d share some of these words with you…
- We are all in this together. – Nobody has it easy, we all have issues. When you look at a person, any person, remember that everyone has a story. Everyone has gone through something that has changed them, and forced them to grow. Every passing face on the street represents a story every bit as compelling and complicated as yours. You will never know exactly what they are going through, and they will never know exactly what you are going through. We are all fighting our own unique war. But we are fighting through it simultaneously, together. Read The Road Less Traveled
. - You aren’t supposed to be perfect. – Live life. Experience everything. Take care of yourself and those closest to you. Have fun – be a little crazy and weird. Go out and make mistakes – you’re going to anyway. Enjoy yourself, and exploit the countless opportunities to learn something along the way. Figure out what works and what doesn’t. Don’t try to be perfect; just be an excellent example of being human and being YOU.
- There are reasons to smile all around you. – A teenage girl blushed when I caught her playfully tickling her boyfriend as he looked for a book in the library – I smiled. A middle aged man got down on his knees and lovingly scratched his dog behind the ears as they waited to cross the street – I smiled. A little girl skipped in bright white shoes that were obviously new, happily kicking her feet far out in front of her to admire them – I smiled. On days when you don’t have much in your life to smile about, watch those who do and you’ll smile too.
- Tough times help us grow. – We work hard to disown the parts of our lives that were painful, difficult, or sad. But just as we can’t rip chapters out of a book and expect the story to still make sense, so we cannot rip past chapters out of our lives and expect our lives to still make sense. Keep every chapter of your life intact, and keep on turning the pages. Sooner or later you’ll get to a page that brings it all together and you’ll suddenly understand why every page and chapter before it was needed.
- Repetition is not failure. – In those frustrating moments when you find yourself standing face to face with an issue you battled before – one bearing a lesson you were sure you’d already learned – remember, repetition is not failure. Ask the waves, ask the leaves, ask the wind. Repetition is sometimes required to evolve and grow.
- No matter what, you have a purpose. – Having a bad day? It’s okay. Put your hand on your heart. Feel that? That’s called ‘purpose.’ You’re alive for a reason. Don’t give up. You may lose the people you love. You may lose the things you have. But no matter happens, never lose yourself. Read A New Earth.
- Being true to yourself is always the best option. – Being true to yourself is way better than being a liar just to impress everyone else. Don’t change so people will like you. You may not live up to everyone’s standards, but there are people out there who will love you just the way you are. And besides, people will judge you regardless, so you might as well be yourself when they do.
- You don’t always have to be happy and cheerful. – Sometimes you have to deal with issues and show others your uncomfortable side. It’s perfectly okay – it’s a natural part of being human. And the good news is that these tough moments will often show you who will accept you at your worst and who won’t.
- Right now is a fresh start. – Talk about your blessings more than you talk about your problems. It’s a bright new day – a new beginning. Your future is too bright to waste it fighting needless battles with old issues from the past. Read The Power of Now.
- It’s okay to let some things go. – You need to understand that none of us are playing with marked cards; sometimes we win and sometimes we lose – life always finds its balance. Don’t expect to get back everything you give, don’t expect recognition for all your efforts, and don’t expect your genius to be instantly discovered or your love to be understood by everyone. As you live and experience things, you must recognize what works and what doesn’t, what belongs and what doesn’t, and then let things go when you know you should. Not out of pride, inability, or arrogance, but simply because not everything is supposed to fit into your life. Close the door, change the record, clean the house, get rid of the dust. Stop being who you were so you can become who you are.
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.Photo by: D. Sharon Pruitt
Steven says
My favorite? Right now is a fresh start. So true! We always have a choice to make, and we can do it right now!
Maria says
Thanks, I really needed to read this today… I can relate to so much of it, and it helps.
jon says
Great reminders for those days when life gets you down. I just printed this and taped it over my desk. Thanks for the positive boost.
Hack My Modern Lifestyle says
Thanks for such a great share. But maybe there is an 11th method. “Blessings in disguise”. I believe whenever is a bad thing has happened, something good must be coming along the way.
Lynn says
This one really hits home — I need these daily reminders…we’re all in the same boat.
sara ashlea says
Thank you sooo much for all the beautiful uplifting things you send .. and then i send and then they send … the circle :))))
Gina says
Felt so, so low yesterday. Good news, today is a new day and I’m claiming my joy. Thanks for the uplifting article!
Deborah says
Brought a tear to my eye thinking of how I relate, and so many others I know would too. Its so true that you cannot imagine what is happening in someone’s world – people are very good at showing what they think you want to see! Never assume, never judge.
Anne says
Right place, exactly the right time – thanks for inspiring me to muster the courage I need to say the things that need to be said.
Gaby says
From the bottom of my heart, thank you.
Emily says
My favorite is #3. My task for the day is spreading your great words throughout my clients today.
Shevonne says
I needed this. Thank you
Joy says
Wow, I’m so glad I found this site, As I’m truly starting over in another state, don’t know anyone and am scared, but this site really inspires me!! I now think I’ll be able to do this!!
Mark Light says
Been subscribing to this blog for a while now. I have had some difficult life experiences in the last few years. Mark & Angel absolutely NAIL it every time they write & this is one of their best (maybe because it’s very timely for me) yet! I especially like #7! It only took me 46 years to learn….but I like it a lot!!
Will says
I believe one of the big reasons why people have negative feelings about their situation is because they feel they’re the only ones going through it. It’s often hard for them to look outside of themselves and understand that everyone has a story as you mentioned in your first point.
Although we usually don’t see what their going through, I think we actually see the end result.
Tough situation and tough experiences tends to build great character and this is what most of us are witnessing when we look around us. Its unfortunate however that most people see this, and attribute everything to luck, never considering that perhaps the person struggled more than everyone else and overcame the struggles, becoming the person they are today.
An excellent read to start the day. Thanks for the post Marc!
Kristin says
This couldn’t have come at a more perfect time. I lost a beloved pet yesterday and have been sitting at my desk crying all morning. This has made my day a little bit more bearable. Thank you
Shana says
Thank you. Number 8 is my favorite as now I am a bit loomy but I have the right to not be cheerful all year round.
L.G.G. says
I’ve lost again. Feel so gutterally low. No one to talk to or cry to. Keep writing. I will keep reading. As long as I can hold on. Your writings do help me feel better.
Shar says
I really enjoyed reading this article! I really NEEDED to read it. Inspiring and truthful. Thanks!
AmirTbaseball says
I know this might sound like a silly question, but even people who make 60-100k annually still have issues? I know people tell me that but–its almost hard for me to believe that people who have that much success, and that much money fail at anything in their lives.
Everyone having issues is something I struggle to understand but I do at least understand its not fair to make base assumptions based on someone’s career but its something that I struggle with from time to time.
Crystal says
Thank you so much for number five. All my life I’ve heard that you keep receiving the same test in life until you learn it, hinting that you never passed it previously. Currently I am once again struggling with a test that seems meant to merely haunt and torment me for forever, thank you so much for reminding me that it doesn’t mean I’m a failure.
Jo-Anne says
I like the last one best… sometimes it is best to let things go and move on.
Prachi says
Thanks for this post… Truly inspiring .. Came when I needed it most..
Kim says
Such wise words – exactly the things I need to remember – especially at this moment. By the way I am a regular reader of your site and appreciate every one of your posts. Thanks for writing them.
internazionale says
when ever i feel hurt inside then i visit here and read your articles. it makes me feel good always. its true, your words can heal the pain inside….
thank you
Also, it would be great to see a phone app (iPhone and Android) based on your articles.
Jonathan Look, Jr. says
Yes! There are always reasons to smile. Life goes on regardless of our circumstances at any given moment. There are always great things in the world.
CW says
Couldn’t pick a favorite…I think there all excellent points! Thanks!!!
Gail says
thank you for another great read, loved no 4, keep on turning the pages, sooner or later you’ll get to a page that brings it all together! Your wisdom truly inspires me! thank you.
DP says
Over the last year i have been more focused on being myself.
You need to fight to make your own uniue identity,the one who is successful and fights through every tough time.
Keep the good work going!
Antonio says
This is a vital decalogo to practice daily. Thank you very much for putting this list together.
Sushil Gupta says
Awesome post. All the points, but I am more obsessed with this point, “There are reasons all around to smile.” In fact, I even made an app for that.
Jacy says
I’ve been a subscriber for a few weeks now (i think anyway.) And I’ve gotten in the habit of saving posts that I might not always have time to read thoroughly. This one i needed to really-read tonight. Your words helped. Thanks.
Ly Ann says
Very helpful.. Thank you!
Kate says
this helped a lot. 🙂
thank you.
Holly Brice says
Number 10 was my favorite. This confirmed that I am on the right track with my decission to let things go! Thank you!
Braja patnaik says
May I also add one of my favorite feel good thought for a bad day: Everything shall pass away 🙂
Omneya says
Seriously, thank you! 🙂
HappyEngineer says
These are lovely, practical thoughts; thoroughly enjoyed reading them 🙂 Just keep hanging in there despite the disappointments!
krish says
Great article. Today I am disappointed as I faced a few unexpected setbacks. Three points among were great reminders for me.
Thanks.
Augusta Sires says
Thank you, I needed this more than you know today! Number 6 was just what I needed to read.
Nikhita katoch says
Thanks a lot it helped me… 🙂
Gary Beaver says
Incredibly wise words friend, thank you so much for them.
shrivyas says
This is a good read for many people I know. I hope they read it.
Thanks.
Abudi says
Put your hand on your heart. Feel that? That’s called purpose.
That brought tears to my eyes.
Fantastic article!
Pritish says
Such inspiration and beautiful words of encouragement. Being human is a boon. Thank you so much.
Mansi says
Thanks for sharing this..while facing a bad day this article makes me feel a lot better.
Sau says
I am feeling very low today. I am fed up with off people… There is no one whom I can call my friend. I feel people around are fake everywhere. I cannot say that I am happy. I am married but feel like I should live alone for sometime atleast. My husband is away for work and we meet only on weekends. Even I want to stay alone and meet him and in laws only on weekend rather than staying with them without husband. They are all nice people. But I want my freeedom. Freedom of making choices like when to sleep, when to eat what, etc. May be I am finding all relations fake.