Dwell on the beauty of life. Watch the stars,
and see yourself running with them.
?Marcus Aurelius
Your life story is an expression of who you are; the words you choose to use shape this story. Your words create the essence of your inner culture and the core of your identity and destiny.
How have you written your story so far? Have you put your words to positive use? If I eavesdropped on your self-talk or your conversations with others, would I hear statements that create happiness, or statements that refute it?
Your ability to write a happy life story hinges on your language. It is your inner and outer verbal expression that makes your joy possible and that infuses your life with purpose, meaning and vitality.
So today I challenge you to say…
1. “I have a choice.”
It is not your talents or abilities, but your choices that ultimately decide your fate.
You ARE your choices.
Until you can look at yourself in the mirror and honestly say, “I have a choice. I am here now because of the choices I’ve made in the past,” you will never be able to say, “I choose differently.”
2. “Let’s get started!”
You can’t build anything wonderful with ideas of what you are going to do someday. If you want something, you have to make a little noise, declare it and then get started.
A goal is far more than a mental exercise. In fact, without the intent of action a goal is nothing more than a lie. Make your decisions real and present in your life; give them the time and attention they deserve.
In the end it doesn’t matter what you’re thinking, it matters what you’re doing. Whatever you want to accomplish, it’s time to get started. Read The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
3. “I have what it takes.”
The worst enemy of today is your self-doubt. The moment you doubt whether you can do something is the moment it becomes impossible for you.
You have to believe in yourself. You have to trust yourself. You might be nervous, but don’t you ever let any source of negativity in the world convince you that you don’t have what it takes.
Give yourself a pep talk if you need one. State some facts, some evidence of your greatness. Recall your past victories. Speak them out loud – “I aced that test.” “I earned that big raise.” “I ran that 5K without stopping.” “My best friend loved my wedding speech.” And so on and so forth… Give a positive voice to your past victories and you will find the strength to repeat history.
4. “Hello, how can I help you?”
In life, you get what you put in.
Generally speaking, the unhappiest people you will ever meet will be those who are utterly self-absorbed; the happiest people you will ever meet will be those who lose themselves in the joy and challenge of helping others.
Happiness is always attained by giving it away without expectation. Those who help others are eventually helped. You have two hands, one to help yourself and the other to help those around you. If you can lie down at night knowing in your heart that you made someone’s day just a little brighter, you have something to smile about. Read 1,000 Little Things Happy, Successful People Do Differently.
5. “Look how far I’ve come.”
The way you move a mountain is by moving one stone at a time. Every stone you move, no matter how small, is progress.
Sometimes it may be hard to see your progress. Sometimes it will be frustrating when the results you seek don’t appear as quickly as you had hoped. Still, you are advancing. You may be moving along slowly, but you are still moving a mountain.
Achievement, after all, is an enduring process, not a single event. To achieve any worthwhile goal you must cover a lot of ground. You need to learn what works by trial and error. You must explore possibilities, many of which will only show you what doesn’t work. Just keep in mind that the mistakes and setbacks are a vital part of the process.
Take a break every now and then and pat yourself on the back. Applaud yourself for doing what needs to be done. And be careful not to spend so much time looking at how far you still have to go, that you forget to appreciate how far you’ve already come.
6. “I have more than enough to be happy.”
The happiest of people aren’t the luckiest, and they usually don’t have the best of everything either. They simply make the most of everything they do have. The reason so many people are unhappy is because they tend to look at what’s missing in their life, instead of what’s present.
Take a stand and flip the switch. Stop wishing you had more. Stop wishing you were somewhere else. Stop wishing you looked like someone else. Love your quirks enough to let them shine. Appreciate your body and use it to it’s full potential. Appreciate the things you have that so many others dream about. Scream it out loud if you must: “I am lucky to be alive! I am happy to be me right now! I have way more than I need and so much to be grateful for! My life isn’t perfect, it’s just pretty darn good!” Read The Happiness Project
7. “ … ”
That blank space denoted by “ … ” is no mistake. That space represents silence.
Silence is soothing. Silence is peace. Silence is divine.
The more silent you are, the more you can hear yourself think.
Have you ever heard the silence just before the sun peaks over the horizon? Or the hush of a country road at midnight? Or the peaceful calm just after a thunderstorm ends? Or perhaps you know the silence in the back of your city library, or the eager pause of an auditorium full of people when the lights dim for the main event, or, best of all, the moment just after the front door shuts and you suddenly have the whole house to yourself?
Each silent moment is different, yet all are beautiful if you listen carefully. Leave enough space in your day to enjoy the space between the commotions. Say nothing, think quietly, just be and breathe.
The floor is yours…
What would you add to the list? What’s something positive (perhaps an affirmation) we all should say every day? Please reply below and let us know.
Photo by: Tim Daniels
J.J. says
Such a beautiful post!
And to answer your question I would add “I love you” to the list. The more you extend love – even to those you feel have hurt you in some way – the closer you get to being love itself, and it’s in this beingness of love that peace and happiness is reached.
Dev says
I freely express gratitude for the many blessings I receive, even when I struggle at times. I do so by literally saying aloud, “Thank you for ____” whenever I need a boost.
[email protected] says
Number seven is great. Silence offers such essential space for positive reflection. Great post.
David Greer says
Hi Marc,
I love the photography from your blog. Today’s was particularly lovely. Which made me happy :-).
Cheers,
David Greer
Joan Harrison says
You are absolutely right we are here because of the choices we made in the past – because of the thoughts we have had.
I would personally make number 7 number 1. The first thought you have of the day is your truest and by giving this thought space you can find your innermost feeling and experience ultimate peace. Works for me!
destiny says
Thanks for notion and insight… It’s priceless to me. Beautiful post.
Lisa Holland says
Dear Marc,
Such beautiful yet simple steps. Thank you for this article. I said the same things to a dear friend of mine yesterday who is slowly giving up on life. I can’t put it any better than this and sent him the link. May you be blessed.
Jackie says
Thank you for the reminder on #6. We tend to forget all the goodness in our lives sometimes. I am guilty of wanting more and not appreciating what I already have. I will learn to appreciate the things that I do have and be grateful and happy for them.. 🙂
Thank you!! Great post overall.
jasmine says
I am under the same sky as someone exquisitely wonderful. I may not know who it is yet, but someone I admire and can rely on, is sharing our sky. I am going to do something right now that will make me good company to that person when we meet.
Elizabeth says
I would add…”You warm my heart and make me smile”, “I care so much about you!”
I feel the need to take the focus off myself, I need to think of what it is that another does to/for me when I’m with them. I say words that I don’t always mean at the moment just to diffuse a potential conflict, and find that after they come out of my mouth I really did mean them, but was simply too scared to admit it.
Vicker says
Nice post Marc. Its pretty awesome to have known these…. “So many people are unhappy because they think/miss so much about the things they don’t have rather than the ones they do have” I really like this point; its an important lesson to live by. Once again Marc, thanks for the inspiration.
tara dillard says
Favorite phrase of a beloved mentor, “OK !!!!!!”
Every time I can use it, more than once daily, I feel her presence.
She died years ago.
Garden & Be Well, XO Tara
Claudi says
Jasmine,
it’s you, yourself! Look in the mirror… 🙂
Claudi
Meri says
Once again, you managed to MAKE MY DAY!! I love you guys!! Thank you sooo much! 🙂
Amandah says
Fabulous post!
I would add, “It’s my responsibility.” If your life isn’t going the way you’d like it to, it’s your responsibility to change it. This is powerful because YOU get to make the decisions about your life. For example, if you’ve known for months or years, that you have wanted to move to another location, it’s up to you to move. It’s your responsibility to be honest with yourself and say, “You know what. I have to go. It’s time for me to move out.” Take back your personal power TODAY!
Saying “It’s my responsibility” will set you free from the clutches of fear and despair in your life. You have a responsibility to yourself to be happy, to make decisions that are best for you. Grab a hold of your personal power and don’t let go.
Sandra Hamlett says
Great post as usual. I’m always amazed at how your message is exactly what I need at that moment.
The one thing I would add is “I am my own definition.” This was my morning meditation. Sometimes it’s too easy to accept the definitions and labels that people put on us to define who we are i.e.: the smart one, the lazy one, the flaky one, etc. These labels often chain us to an image of ourselves that does not represent our true nature. You are not a label someone else puts on you.
Doe Renee says
I am whole, perfect, and complete. 🙂
Miss Britt says
I love that you included silence. Silence and doing nothing are so underrated!!
Elizabeth Cottrell says
Wonderful list! Imagine the positive energy in the world if we each committed to these things each day!
I would add “Thank you” to my higher power for the gift of being alive today and the blessings that surround me.
D says
“Thank you.”
Cindy says
@jasmine
That was beautiful!
David Rapp says
Great post and comments.
“I am free to explore some more.” The only difference between a palace and a prison is who locks the doors.
“I have more options.” More options means more choices. When you feel boxed in, others are limiting your options, not your choices.
“I have more love to give.” No matter where you are in your lifetime, you have more love than you know. I have been battling depression, and in a conversation with a dear friend, she reminded me how many people love me. So I made a decision that no one will ever out love me. I’ll love them more.
Cindy Bailey says
What I would add:
“I have everything I need, and most of what I want. I am so truly Blessed.”
Whenever I wish I could have something “right now,” or I feel envy for what someone else has, I say that little mantra. It makes me smile, and feel energized and productive. Envy and wishing go out the door, and I can move on to anticipating whatever comes my way – usually creative thought or a feeling of utter peace.
Barbara K. says
What beautiful posts. I look forward to them everyday. They’ve made a change in my outlook and attitude toward life. Keep them coming. Can I download your E-book to my Nook in one step?
Linda says
Love yourself 🙂
Rafic says
Marc and Angel, I love you. Don’t know where I’d be without your blog and your insightful thoughts. Thanks for everything.
PL says
I would add … “Listen unconditionally, not with an immediate resolution but with the process of understanding equally in mind and heart” …
PL
Bini says
Beautiful Post….
I would add” THANK YOU “:)
Carol says
Another great post! I really liked #’s 6&7, They are one’s that I am working on at the moment.
I made myself a little box of flash cards and filled it with affirmations of things I need to work on. I take it out and read them if I am stuck on something or just need an upper. Here are a few of them:
*Don’t let fear stop you. Let go, Live, Try, Do…
*Every day in every way …I am getting better and better.
*Healing takes Time… Changes take Time
*Progress not Perfection
*I am only as Happy as I makeup my mind to be.
*Love what you can:
*In relationships
*In people
*In life
*In myself
Thanks again for all that you do. Have a great day!
Jodi says
Thank you so much for the words of wisdom you share with us! They are just perfect! I wish the whole world could read these every morning… what a different world we would have.
Again, thank you, thank you, thank you!
melanie says
Number #3 is a big one for me right now. I have an opportunity right before me and feel almost paralyzed in doing something about it but I’m taking slow baby steps and hopefully I can come out on top. Fear of the unknown… Be GONE.
Jen Bardall says
Beautiful. I’d add “I love you” (to oneself) and “Thank you” – for everything, for the littlest things, for waking up in the morning.
Susanna Halonen says
I’m really loving this post – super inspirational!
I think it’s so important for you to say things to yourself that empower and inspire you so this list is really useful!
What I would personally add to the list:
I can do anything I believe I can.
I am beautiful just the way I am.
I have the right to follow my passions because that brings out the best in me.
I choose happiness today.
Michele says
Amazing! The way you described everything is fantastic. I read every one of your articles and try to follow them all the time.
Pamela Harper says
The other day, getting out of bed, I realized that my feet were already feeling tired when they hit the floor. I stopped & thought, Thank you, Lord, that I have feet, after what happened in Boston last Monday. We DO have so many things to be thankful for, things that some people wish they had. Thanks for the timely reminder!
brenda says
When i read these words, they set in motion what I feel every day. Every day is a wonderful day and when you let everything go and just be happy, and look at each day as a wonderful new journey, life is great. Thanks for this.
Barry says
This article starts with an amazing picture and just gets better. Super positive advice! Thanks.
andy yochum says
I would add “I forgive you”. It is hard to be positive when you carry a grudge.
Remy says
Loved the article. Great work. This article means a lot to me (especially point 3) since I had a rough test yesterday and am beginning to doubt my abilities. Thank so much for the beautiful read. Keep them coming 🙂
Remy says
Such wise reminders. My addition: “I am capable. I am worthy. Today, I can make a difference.”
Chesca says
Thanks for such uplifting and inspiring posts.
Yes to all of the above and I would add (this that I tell myself on a daily basis):
“I trust and have faith that if I keep pushing forward with an authentic life, that all will be well.”
Silence is truly a seldom celebrated gift.
I am learning that despite the noise of our daily lives, pockets of silence can be found in the most accidental places.
The inside of my car has a vacuum-sealed feel after I get home from driving my kids to school.
I usually don’t drive with music on, as I find that to be distracting, but the immediate silence that ensues once I pull into my driveway and shut off the engine is almost nirvana (yes, it does not take much)
Be well.
Franko says
One of my favorite quotes to motivate me toward success is “the harder I work, the luckier I become.” The vast majority of successful people got to where they are by working hard, not by luck as so many people believe. I like your suggestion above “let’s get started.” I’m adding that to my list!
Eve says
The photo by Tim made my day and the article was really inspiring. Will try to remember the 7 Positive Things daily, especially #6. Be grateful for everything you have today.
Joy says
“Seize the day!”
I am thinking of one of my clients, named Leon Wynter, who died tragically of brain cancer some years ago. This was a common phrase that Leon would say to his four year old daughter Grace, before she would go to school with me(I am a child care provider), and he would go to work; he would say this everyday that I worked for him, and somehow the phrase stuck with me. Grace is now an honor student in high school. Looks like she is doing just what Daddy told her to do…
Alberta says
Thank you so much for your words of encouragement. 🙂
I would add “Breathe…”
It is so important to be present in the moment because tomorrow will never know today has come and gone.
grace says
A friend gave me a link to this post, just what I needed to read this morning. I like #5, look how far I have come and this really applies to my situation. I have come so far and I can finish it because I have what it takes to finish the job #3 and it is really my choice #1. Awesomeness!! Thank you for the post.
Miles To Go.. says
Thanks for a great post. Reminded me of some lines I wrote in a pocket book when I was reading ‘Little Women’ years ago — all your life, people will try to take your accomplishments away from you, don’t you take them away from yourself!
Goldilox says
YES!!!
“SMILE” could be added – it changes everything you see. Others see a smile and they see things differently.
8\9 .Only see and talk about the good in ALL people.
Keep up the terrific work!
Thank you.