Of all the things that can be stolen from you – your possessions, your youth, your health, your words, your rights – what no one can ever take from you is…
- Your uniqueness. – You are unrepeatable. There is a magic about you that is all your own. Having a low opinion of yourself is not humility, it’s self-destruction. Holding your uniqueness in high regard is not egotism, it’s a necessary precondition to happiness and success. You deserve to wear a smile in your heart. Not because of what you have or what you do, but because of who you are. Yes, you are changing each day, but you are always amazing just as you are.
- How you feel about yourself. – It takes a long time to learn how to NOT judge yourself through someone else’s eyes, but once you do the world is yours for the taking. We have all been placed on this earth to discover our own life, and we will never be happy or successful if we try to live someone else’s idea of it. So give up worrying too much about what others think of you. What they think isn’t all that important. What is important is how you feel about yourself. Read Emotional Freedom
. - Your intuition. – If you’re thinking just like everyone else, you aren’t really thinking. Follow your intuition. Do what makes sense to you. Never compare your journey to someone else’s. Everyone has their own struggles, their own challenges, and a different path that they chose to get to where they are. Remember, you don’t need to wait for external circumstances to perfectly align in order to show up for the life you’ve been dreaming of. What you’re looking for is already somewhere inside you.
- Your passion. – If there was ever a moment to follow your passion and do something that matters to you, that moment is now. Find your passion, whatever it is. Become it, let it become you, and great things will happen FOR you, TO you, and BECAUSE of you. And even if things don’t work out as planned, you’ll still be heading in the right direction. Because nothing you have passion for is ever a waste of time, no matter how it turns out.
- Your determination. – When life gives you something that makes you feel afraid, that’s when life gives you a chance to grow strong and be brave. Nothing is permanent in this crazy world, not even your mistakes, failures, or troubles. If you keep your eyes open and your feet moving forward, you’ll eventually find what you need.
- Your attitude. – Something nobody can take away from you is the way you choose to respond to what others say and do to you. The last of your freedoms is to choose your attitude in any given circumstance. Choose to be happy and positive. It is not always easy to find happiness in ourselves, but it is always impossible to find it elsewhere. Regardless of the situation we face, our attitude is our choice. So smile as you walk away and move on from negative people and their actions.
- Your ability to spread love and kindness. – The measure of your life will not be in what you accumulate, but in what you give away. And 99 percent of the time you get what you put in, so give freely. Charity can be in the form of a smile, lending an ear or a helping hand. There are many acts of kindness that don’t cost a cent. Remember, the ultimate goal of all goals is to be happy. If you want to be happy make those around you happy. Read The Happiness Project.
- Your hope. – It’s not the load that breaks you down, it’s the way you carry it. The biggest obstacles that stand between a person and what they want in life is the will to try it, and the faith to believe it’s possible. Hope is the little voice inside your head that whispers “maybe” when it seems like the whole world is shouting “impossible!”
- Your knowledge and life experiences. – Character and wisdom are sculpted over time. They come with loss, lessons, and triumphs. They come after doubts, second guesses, and unknowns. If there was a definitive path to success, everyone would be on it. The seeds of your success are planted in your past failures. Your best stories will come from overcoming your greatest struggles. Your praises will be birthed from your pains. So keep standing, keep learning, and keep living. Read The Road Less Traveled.
- Your choice to move on emotionally. – Don’t let past relationships and old mistakes ruin your future. Don’t let someone or something that didn’t make it in your life continue to hurt you. If you do, you’re still giving a portion of your life to something that no longer exists – it’s like letting your happiness slip into a black hole. Learn the lesson, release the pain, and move on. Scars remind us of where we have been, not where we are headed.
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.Photo by: Martin Gommel
leigh ann potter says
~ It always seems that whenever I am going “through” something, or dealing with life, but at a loss for words, not knowing what to do next… a post from Marc & Angel Hack Life pops up, JUST when I need it to. And it always tells me JUST what I need to hear. I love their wisdom, and it resonates with me, & always gets me back on track. Thanks, Marc & Angel. You ARE angels, 🙂 ~ Thanks 4 sharing your words, your knowledge,& your LOVE! ~ peace, love, light & happiness… Blessed Be!
JJ says
Some great tips. The final two really hit home for me. Thanks for sharing.
PS: And I totally agree with Leigh.
Gina says
Short and sweet. Another beautiful read. Thank you for making me think each day and helping me be a better person. Keep doing what you’re doing with this blog.
Noluthando says
Thank you… I have really changed how I view the world because of the daily dose of positive messages you provide. I appreciate and love this blog, its so inspiring.
Ben0 says
So helpful and so true. I always appreciate the good vibes you put out there for all of us.
Marlys says
Thank you for this. The timing is perfect!
And thank you for reminding me of my journey with every post.
Jenny says
Love, Love, Love!
Travis says
Just want to let you know that you produce one of my favorite blogs. I get excited everytime I see you guys in my inbox because I know it’s going to be good. Thanks for all you do.
Linda says
I don’t know how you do this, Marc – So many of your posts arrive at the right time for me. Once again I’ve saved this and will re-read often.
Thank you for your ability to find the ‘right’ words every time.
Barry says
Good post, but I think it should be reworded to: 10 Things No One Has The Right Steal From You.
Grace says
It’s a great reminder for me too…I agree with Leigh Ann 100% too! Thanks for the nudge in your message to tarry on and be blessed!
Grace
Silver says
Love this site. Like I always tell my daughter’s… No matter what happens in life they can’t take your birthday away… think about it!
jeevaruthnam says
Thank you for making me feel human again. If possible i would like you to share your wisdom with me on how to overcome degrading gossip about me that is not true. LOVE AND ONENESS.
Denis says
Thank you sooooo much for this. Bless you all.
Amandah says
I think #2 is the most important. As The Eagles sang, “So often times it happens that we live our lives in chains, and we never even know we have the key.” From “Already Gone.” Don’t listen to what other people say and quit worrying about what they think of you. Chances are they don’t have their lives together and have no business judging you in the first place. And… They could be jealous of you. Unless you can read another person’s mind, you have no idea ‘why’ they think ‘what’ they think about you.
Christina says
Just like everyone else said, your timing is perfect. It is amazing how it feels as if your posts are speaking directly to me. Thank you for taking the time to share with all of us. <3
Alex says
Some very helpful reminders that could guide us to a very happy life.
Kaitlin says
Thank you.
Mary says
You two have such an amazing amount of love in your hearts to write these blogs! I love reading them each time knowing I am learning how to get closer and closer to being my best version of me. Thank you 🙂
Braja Patnaik says
Very true, very inspiring!
Sylvia Morice says
This is lovely, Marc. I read your ten things on someone else’s blog who had re-blogged your post and left her a note, but then realized I needed to leave you one, too.
Everything you say is true, although we tend to forget them all at one time or another. Thanks for reminding us who we are, really.
Lisa says
I wonder how you do it? finding the right words to cheer people up and make them feel better. Thank you and keep it up !! 🙂
Bina says
Truly inspiring post. As always. Thank you!
Charles says
Thank you so much. I read your words of wisdom daily and they are helping me put so many things in my life into the proper perspective.
Marc says
Well, as always, your comments have put a smile on our faces this morning. Angel and I are currently in Japan, vacationing in celebration of my 31st birthday. And let me tell you, there’s no better gift than waking up in a foreign land to all of your positive remarks.
Have a good one everyone! 🙂
Karim says
Happy birthday to you. I wish the best moments for you in the year ahead.
jes says
This site is really great!
Each article changes the way you perceive the world.
These lessons once again diverted my outlook into positive…
Susi says
Thanks for this post, I really needed to read something like that today!
Jess @ Sparrow + Sea says
What a great list!
I think you could add to this, that no one can steal your faith. Whether that be faith in God, love, Mother Nature or just the unquashable belief that humanity is essentially good. Such beliefs are important for how we live our lives, how we relate to others and how we choose to see the world. And no one can take that away from you…
Carmelo says
Hey Marc! What a wonderful vacation! Hope you and Angel get to see everything you want to see. Our niece spent a year there recently and loved it.
Now, get out there and LIVE! 🙂
LevU says
Marc and Angel, you two are making the world a better place with posts like these.
ene okwori says
lovly post.
Jamie Flexman says
Number 4 is what I agree with the most. Nobody can steal my passion to change my life. No matter what they say or what they do.
Teecee says
Amazing post. It completely resonates with me. We are all unique and choose a whole lot of things for ourselfs. We must be wise in making decisions that affect who we are. I choose to be free to express my uniqueness. Thanks for drawing my attention to them!
TJ Chasteen says
Wonderful post. I like what you wrote about attitude. The world isn’t always sunshine and rainbows – people can be rude, mean, and hateful towards you. But does that really have anything to do with you?
I don’t think so, you were just in the wrong place at the wrong time and felt the expression of pain within somebody else.
That doesn’t mean you have to soak it up – I always tell myself that there are 7 billion people in the world, why let 1 ruin my day?
Catherine E. White says
I really enjoyed reading this post, especially the reminder that mistakes are often impermanent. We expend so much energy trying to do everything right all the time. That is an exhausting, tense way to be. But making mistakes is the only way to learn anything new. Mistakes are like the uneven pavement on our growth path. Stumbles happen when you are moving! And if you are moving… Those mistakes will pass by — just like part of the scenery. Thanks!
Joseph(michelle and rocky's son) says
The first step – number one – of knowing the definite truth, reminds me of my birth and being a light bearer before i was chosen to be on this earth. It is a privilege to be alive. Much love.
-joey
Trenity S. says
#5, Your Determination, is just what I needed…I lately feel like a lot is being drained out and taken from me, but that is exactly right. All these hard months have proven that if there is one that that I can absolutley keep, it is my determination to keep going. 🙂
nadirkhan says
I am a regular reader of your blog and this article regarding giving\charity is the best I have come across. You have developed a very deep insight into the human nature, and I have personally benefited from doing good onto others. Charity it really changes you into a better person.
Shashank shekhar says
Reading your blog has introduced me to myself which, otherwise has been eluding me. It is a perfect elexir of life and serves as tonic to the desolate and drooping heart. Keep up the flow and serenity of mind!!!
Lay says
If it wasn’t for this blog, I’d still be in a terrible emotional place.
Shane says
I agree whole-heartedly with your points, especially in bravely making the most of every situation and also in being generous, compassionate and forgiving to others. Happiness is surprisingly easy to come to through selflessness and strength of character rather than through material gain or the approval of people who don’t really care about you.
MaryAnn says
Ditto what leigh ann potter said. I turned off notifications for a while on FB and turned them back on just in time to hear your wise words that are truly helping me through a challenging time. You are my angels. God bless you both!!
Shareen Clarke says
All of these points express what exactly I’ve been through and they were very useful to me. I feel like a new person who wants to start my life all over again.
Thank you