Here’s a list of nine principles I’ve learned the hard way that every inspired person, regardless of their specific aspirations, should know and follow on a daily basis.
- Life’s biggest limitations are the ones you make in your mind. Life’s biggest causes of unhappiness are the false beliefs you refuse to let go of. You are capable of far more than you are presently thinking, imagining, doing or being. But you will ultimately become what you habitually contemplate; so clear your mind and let your hopes, not your hurts, shape your future.
- You must deal with the world the way it is, not the way you wish it was. Think positive. Life is good. Too many people miss the silver lining because they’re expecting pure gold. Positive thinking isn’t about expecting the best to always happen, but accepting that whatever happens is the best for the moment. So keep smiling and keep following your heart. Someday, life will get tired of upsetting you. Read Happiness Is a Serious Problem.
- What others do is out of your control. Realize that you can’t always count on others to respect your feelings, even if you respect theirs. Being a good person doesn’t guarantee that others will be good people too. You only have control over yourself – over how you choose to be as an individual. And as for others, you can only accept them, or walk away.
- You were not meant to sit at the edge of your comfort zone. Not trying for fear of falling. Not loving for fear of losing love. Not speaking your truth for fear of what others will think. Not looking at yourself in the mirror for fear of what you might see. Try, and then try again with all your might. Your courage will unfold as your resolve takes hold. And with each effort you make you will earn a little more confidence which you can use to acquire what no one else can give you: Your self-respect, and the life you were meant to live.
- You are not like anyone else. Don’t you ever let anyone tell you that you can’t be exactly who you are. In a world of comparison and conformity, take a stand. Make your own statement. Honor your own truth. Risk speaking your own thoughts and sharing your own ideas. Express your fears, tears, doubts, and insecurities – let others experience the real you. Have the courage to be yourself and realize that you’re perfect just the way you are. Read The Art of Non-Conformity.
- True love is one-way traffic. It’s a pure flow of giving and expecting nothing in return. Anything else is a contract. Notice how whenever you allow love to flow you are always clear, calm and strong. It is only when the thought arises, “What have they given me in return?” that there is confusion and resentment. Ego transacts, love transforms. Life is too short for all these meticulous contracts and transactions. Remain clear, remain bright, and remain strong. Love without expectation.
- You cannot live your life at the mercy of chance. You cannot stumble along with a map marked only with the places you fear, or the places you know you don’t want to revisit. You cannot remain trapped, endlessly, in a state where you are unable to ask for directions, even though you’re terribly lost, because you don’t know your destination. You have to stand up, look at yourself in the mirror, and say, “It isn’t good enough for me to know only what I DON’T want in life. I need to decide what I DO want.”
- Being genuine is more important than being right. You may say or do all the right things, but if it doesn’t come from the heart, it means nothing. You may not always know the right things to say or do, but if your intent is genuine, then it means the world. When you work from a foundation of truth, you are free to make as many choices, free to make as many mistakes, free to take as much time as necessary to get it right. Read As a Man Thinketh.
- Your future depends on what you do right now. Challenge yourself to be who you know you are capable of being. Challenge yourself to follow through – to live what you preach, to walk your talk. Don’t worry about how slowly you feel you’re heading toward your goals, or how many roadblocks you find, or how many detours you’re forced to take. As long as you keep doing your thing, you’re still cruising far ahead of everyone who’s too scared to even try.
Photo by: Giampaolo Macorig
Will @ Dream About Life says
I agree that a lot of our limitations and bouts of unhappiness come from old and possibly wrong beliefs that we have in our mind. Over the years, I’ve learned that a belief can really hold you back, even after you realize that it’s been wrong the entire time. Although a belief may be false, the power it carries with it is as real as it gets. I appreciate your posts. Always seems to put me in a more positive state where ideas flow, and possibilities are endless.
Ori says
As I struggle to deal with a big career change in my life, this is an excellent message – especially #5 and #9. Wise words right on time! ? thank you.
Bec says
Thank you. Such a great post. INPSPIRING! I just printed it out because I need to review each of these 9 points on a regular basis.
Yogesh Upadhyay says
Thanks a lot for one another terrific start of the day… very inspiring…. thanks a ton!
Steve Houghton-Burnett says
I really like the post as it brings together many threads that people will come across in many different presentations and books as they travel through their life.
The only thing that I would add is never be tempted to live your life in isolation. It is up to you to strike out and meet people, it is up to you to be the first to offer your hand to someone and it is up to you to be the first to smile at someone who looks like they will bite your head off.
We have become so fearful of human contact in case our hug is misconstrued or in case that arm around the shoulder for support is seen as something more forward.
I’m a big guy and I have huge arms but it is only in recent years that I have come to realise that one of my main roles in life is to be a human hug dispenser. My life is so much richer for realising and more importantly acting upon it.
Lynn says
Love you guys!
Sandra Hamlett says
Love this post. As I move further away from a life of expectation and resentment, I feel expanded and lighter. I see everything around me as a blessing and I am moving forward in my life. I am not settling but beginning to fulfill passion.
Lucie says
This speaks to me in ways you cannot imagine. Thanks for sharing these excellent reminders of life’s true purpose.
Surendra Shukla says
I was doing some research for an article on my blog and stumbled upon this great website. I have already bookmarked for my future readings.
As for this article – absolutely loved it. I am in agreement in most of the points but you literally listed my thoughts in number 3, 6 and 8. For #8, some one has once told me ‘The best thing in the world is to do and act the way you really are, even if the things don’t get done”. It has been my mantra ever since.
Amandah says
Great list!
I especially liked the reminder that we can’t control people. We can only control ourselves, thoughts, actions, reactions, and beliefs. If someone doesn’t respect you, don’t react to it. Shake it off, as Joel Osteen would say, and move forward. Don’t engage with small minded people. It’s a waste of time and oxygen and they’ll never be satisfied anyway.
Tera says
marc/angel, how do you guys personally keep/stay reminded day to day?
Leah says
This was just what I needed this morning. I love that I can come here and fill up. I know I tell you two this all the time, but I’ll say it again: You guys are awesome! Thanks;)
Greg says
Number 6 is the lynch pin. I have recently been helping my aging parents who brought me into existence on a wish and a dare over 60 years ago. My dad passed away last year from a stroke. My younger brother and I alternately took over the task of moving “the Cap’n” from bed to wheel chair. My mom survives, but it isn’t easy helping someone with whom I differ on just about everything. The hardest point over the past weeks came when she got me to agree that “our children come through us, not from us.” “That makes sense”, I said, thinking about genes and evolutionary descent of species. Then she struck with, “So you shouldn’t be upset if your older brother tries to convince your son to become an army medical doctor.” I could only shudder at the prospect. I know it’s really up to my son to find his own way in life and I have done all I could do to help him have the wisdom to make his own choices. I can’t just desert my mom, even though my ego is screaming to be free of endless ideological bickering sprouting from the editorial page of the Washington Times. I bite my tongue and find solace in Che’s principle: “a true revolutionary is motivated by feelings of love.”
Carmelo says
Being authentic is a big one. It’s so tempting to “be inspired” by others, by words, by examples and actions of others but that usually doesn’t last unless it’s authentically you.
And your advice to “not always have to be right” is also so critical. That’s really a closed mind, isn’t it?
When I read your excellent lists, I always make sure to see which ones I’m ready for inside me … and allow them to connect with my inner being. Those are the ones that truly move me to action.
Mimi says
I was just introduced to you a few weeks ago. I have shared your emails and messages with many. You make a difference to me and I appreciate you guys!! Thank you for the inspiring and positive start to my days!
wendy merron says
Great article! Those false beliefs (aka limiting beliefs) are a bear to deal with. People who believe them continually will always have more difficulties than those who ignore or release them.
Reminds me of this acronym:
FEAR=
False
Events
Appearing
Real
I’m RT this article now 🙂
Ahmad says
Wow… this article was so awesome, I needed such inspiring points today.
thanks alot
nkhensani says
Touched and changed my mindset simultaneously. Wonderful advices, i like every detail.
GSTS says
While I agree with all of them, #6 really stands out for me. It’s the selfless kind of love, like the love parents have for their children. And it’s so hard to encounter that kind of love elsewhere. Usually in a relationship, people ask for love back and ask the other person to reciprocate. They think it’s fair, but it’s not the true love, the selfless kind of love.
Karen says
I decided I needed to print these out and paste them every where. I am not sure which one hit home the most. With the things I am working on in my life, the timing of this is impeccible. Thank you!
elizabeth says
#3 is something I struggle with everyday. thank you for another helpful post!
AI says
Such a wonderful article.
I love no. 8, it’s really true. Remember, no one is 100% perfect so there’s no need to be right all the time, just be true to you.
Million Thanks!
Ashna says
I love this! With recent experiences, I needed a reminder and almost all of the points breaks it down so easily! Thank you for sharing!
Rocio says
Thank you very much, Marc!!!.
I use to read your blog every day. This post has been gorgeous!!!.
Love, from Spain.
Rocio.
geoff says
Thank you once again, wanted I needed today #2 being and thinking positively.
Kris says
I appreciate all of the comments from the readers as much as the original lists. This is wisdom and truth, but it is still really hard for me to believe my life can improve all that much. I love the passage, “someday life will get tired of upsetting you,” in #2.
The "Better You" Project says
With regard to number 5, “You are not like anyone else.” I should say that we are born an original, thus we shouldn’t die a copy.
Leets says
GREAT blog and GREAT writing! I’ve shared many of the articles on here with friends…really uplifting stuff.
This article really resonated too. Thanks for the inspiration.
Yvonne says
No 6: It would be great to hear your thoughts on how to give “the one way traffic” kind of love but not allow others to take advantage of you while you are at it.
aliaskhal says
🙂 Great read.
Andrea Nordstrom says
LOVE it, thanks for sharing. Especially number 8. The experience of living is forever deepened and enhanced by the (seemingly) simple act of being authentic in everything you say or do. Funny how hard it is to be real, but how freeing it is to become so. Thanks for sharing!
gaurav says
Hey Marc ,
Yet another insightful post. 🙂
But I have a question…
How can love be a one way traffic, without expecting any care and love in return? Its really hard to keep loving knowing the fact that the person does not love you… 🙂
Free Spirit Butterfly says
“Love without expectation.”
I love this! So very true! Let love be and not try to “control” it.
peace and blessings to ALL who seek it 🙂
fsb
Abhishek says
Hey Marc,
I sometimes reach your site either when I am down or am bored a bit.
Your site has never ceased to inspire or sometimes surprise.
Please continue the awesome work
Dr. Shannon Sticken says
I am a sex addiction therapist in Tucson, Arizona. I was particularly moved by this list, but especially on the comment relating to your comfort zone. In my work with clients, the comfort zone is often what keeps people trapped in their lives, rather than making progress. I have enjoyed having the opportunity to push people past this. I’ll likely share this list with them. Thank you very much.
joy says
So true! I’m working on moving out of my comfort zone right now!