I have learned that life is constantly testing us for our level of commitment, and that life’s greatest rewards are reserved for those who demonstrate an unwavering commitment to push forward even when times are tough.
Sometimes I catch myself staring at the people around me – studying their gestures and expressions. I wonder, “What’s their story? What are they searching for? What makes their heart beat with happiness, with sorrow, with fear, and with longing?” And then I ask myself, “What thoughts might Marc and I post on this blog to inspire them, and to remind them that, even on the toughest days, our hearts all beat for these same things?”
Today, in our latest video blog, we want to share some of these thoughts with you. Because when life gets stressful, we often forget the things we should remember, and remember the things we should forget. So here are some good reminders for those bad days when you need a little extra motivation:
Video Blog Post:
4 Good Reminders (video transcript):
1. YOU are okay. You are just a little stronger now.
Having a bad day? It’s okay. YOU are okay. But now you’re a little stronger than you were yesterday.
Put your hand on your heart. Feel that? That’s called ‘a purpose. You’re here today for a reason. Don’t give up and don’t give in. And above all, don’t let one or two dark clouds cover the entire sky. The sun is always shining on some part of your life. Sometimes you just have to forget how you feel, remember what you deserve, and keep pushing forward.
Keep in mind that we’ve all made mistakes. We’ve all made absolute fools of ourselves. We’ve let people take advantage of us, and we’ve accepted way less than we deserve. And sometimes, we too have given others way less than they deserve. Sometimes we let our priorities and our boundaries get ravished by the chaos of the day. But if you think about it, we’ve learned a lot from our bad choices, and even though there are some things we can never recover, and people who will never be sorry, we now know better for next time. We now have more power to shape our future.
2. You are far more capable than you think.
You have to remember that you are incredibly capable of handling great challenges. But when times are good, and everything is comfortably in order, it can be easy to become complacent and forget how skillful and resourceful you are capable of being. Unanticipated troubles are necessary evils that push you forward; because the troubles will eventually end, but the lessons and growth you gain from them will last a lifetime.
Truth be told, there are two types of pain in life: pain that hurts you, and pain that grows you. But when you learn from a difficult experience, they are one and the same. Strength doesn’t come from what you can do. It comes from overcoming the things you could not do before. Tough situations build strong, successful people. So no matter how much it hurts now, you have to hold your head up, grit your teeth, and take another step. Don’t waste time complaining. In the end, persistence and determination speak loud enough. Focus diligently through your struggles. Work hard in silence, and let your success be your noise. (Read As a Man Thinketh.)
3. The struggle is the path, and it leads to better days.
Will the road ahead always be easy? Not at all. But will it be worth your while? Absolutely. Because the struggle is not found on the path, it is the path, and it leads to better days. When the day is really dark, it can be hard to see the light, but you have to try. True strength comes when you have so much to cry and complain about, but you prefer to smile and appreciate your life instead. There are blessings hidden in every struggle you face, but you have to be willing to open your heart and mind to see them. You can’t force things to happen. You will only drive yourself crazy trying. At some point you have to let go and let what’s meant to be, BE.
In the end, loving your life is about trusting your intuition, taking chances, losing and finding happiness, cherishing the memories, and learning through experience. It’s a long-term journey. You have to stop worrying, wondering, and doubting every step of the way. Laugh at the confusion, live consciously in the moment, and enjoy your life as it unfolds – struggles and all. You might not end up exactly where you intended to go, but you will eventually arrive precisely where you need to be.
4. Taking the next step is always worth it.
And that’s why the best thing you can do is to keep going. Don’t be afraid to get back up – to try again, to love again, to live again, and to dream again. Don’t let a hard lesson harden your heart. Life’s best lessons are often learned at the worst times and from the worst mistakes. There will be times when it seems like everything that could possibly go wrong is going wrong. And you might feel like you will be stuck in this rut forever, but you won’t. When you feel like quitting, remember that sometimes things have to go very wrong before they can be right. Sometimes you have to go through the worst, to arrive at your best.
Yes, life is tough, but you are tougher. Find the strength to laugh every day. Find the courage to feel different, yet beautiful. Find it in your heart to make others smile too. Don’t stress over things you can’t change. Live simply. Love generously. Speak truthfully. Work diligently. And even if you fall short, keep going. Keep growing.
Awake every morning and do your best to follow this simple daily TO-DO list: Think positively. Eat healthy. Exercise today. Worry less. Work hard. Laugh often. Sleep well. And then rewind and repeat… (Marc and I discuss this in detail in the “Adversity” chapter of 1,000 Little Things Happy, Successful People Do Differently.)
The floor is yours…
If you’re having a bad day, or if you’re struggling in any way at all, know that you are not alone. We are all in this together. Many of us are right there with you, working hard to feel better, think more clearly, and keep our lives on track.
In fact whenever life gets tough, and things go wrong, Marc and I make it a point to focus on what’s right – the positives. So today we challenge you to do the same. Please leave a comment below and let us know…
What’s something positive you try to keep in mind when you’re struggling or having a bad day?
Photo by: Chad Cooper
mc says
I guess I’ve been following your blog for the last two years on and off and it has always helped me feel better with whatever it is that may be bothering me. I went out with someone who didn’t appreciate me and when everything ended, which of course was for the best, your posts helped in reminding myself that I deserved more. I often forget it, so thanks for posting this video. It’s what I needed today.
Melanie says
I like to think that the universe is challenging me and if I can get through it something amazing will come my way!
tina says
Great day, though a tough one. When something is trying to drive me away, I am already checking for an update from your blog for some encouragement to deal with my frustration. Thanx.
James says
AWESOME guys! For me, when a challenging day happens I try to keep on mind that 1) #?!% happens! It’s beyond my control probably, so just go with the flow, and, 2) I’ve survived and OVERCOME worse and so have others, and, 3) Tomorrow is another day to start over again. So just do your best today. Tomorrow’s best will be better than today’s.
Thanks guys. You’re AWESOME!
Ellie says
Your words of encouragement have been the life preserver that I needed to keep my spirit afloat this week.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
Polly says
For several years I have been trying to deal with things that come about in life and knock me down…and for over a year I have been reading your blogs and have been benefiting from the change within me. Sometimes you just need I push in a different direction to really appreciate what you have, who you are, and that every day is a blessing.
Thank you so much,
Polly
Ally says
“You’re braver than you believe,
stronger than you seem,
and smarter than you think.”
What a wise old bear Winnie the Pooh was 🙂
Sarah Cooper says
Thank you so much for all the encouraging and motivating posts you share. Sometimes that’s really all I need – a little push and a few reminders.
Keep posting!
Nangamso says
I thank God for the gift He gave you Marc and Angel of changing our lives for the better! Your blogs are uplifting my self esteem each day! God Bless you!!!
Sheila says
Sandra, you are not alone…
Angel Chernoff says
@Kristin: So simple, yet so powerful. Thank you for the great reminder.
@Patti: What a beautiful message, THANK YOU!
@David Rapp: Welcome back, we haven’t seen you in awhile. I love the closet analogy. Thanks for the insightful input.
@Don: Your love and support mean the world to us. Thank you for the beautifully written, kind words. You made my day!
@Sandra: Your positive, open mind will save you. Don’t give up on yourself just yet. We are taking on a few coaching clients, follow this link here to get more information. In the meantime, I think this article will help 9 Things to Stop Doing During Hard Times.
@Silouan Green: I couldn’t have said it any better.
@Cindy: Say this to yourself as many times as you need to: “I know this year has been hard, but you bet your sweet bottom I AM AND WILL grow from these mistakes!” You are a remarkable woman and the best has yet to come. Big hugs to you and your kids.
@Jean: I love it!!
@G Teid: “Do you know how hard it is to feel bad when you are smiling?” I am saving this to use on my own bad days. Thank you!
@Cindy: You are an inspiration! Way to never give up and never give in!
@All: You will realize that life is like an ocean. It can be calm and serene or rough and wild, but in the end it’s always beautiful to those willing to ride the waves. Your encouraging words never cease to amaze me. Cheers to surfing these waves of life together. =)
Hristiyan Nikolov says
A great reminder for me when I am having a bad day is simply to remind myself that I am alive. There is no greater blessing than being alive. And most people don’t recognise that. Another great read. Thanks!
Moon says
Very motivational indeed!! You’ve revealed the true beauty of life achieved through consistency and untiring efforts.Though not easy always yet not impossible..Thanks 🙂
Christian says
Those are great reminders! I’ll keep them in mind when I begin to feel like i”m in the dumps! I’ve got lots of blessings. I just need to remind myself of them.
Michelle says
Focus on those who love you and don’t give priority to those who are never there by your side – good times and bad.
sherill says
Hi, thank you for sharing a great article. You mentioned “True strength comes when you have so much to cry and complain about, but you prefer to smile and appreciate your life instead. There are blessings hidden in every struggle you face, but you have to be willing to open your heart and mind to see them”, I will always keep this in mind. I love reading your articles , they are all very inspiring. Thanks again.
David says
Good reminders. Staying centered and balanced. Lean on those your close too. My grandmother used to sing for church funerals. She felt it kept her grounded and let her focus a little easier after a bad day.
Elaine Reynolds says
It’s normal to have a bad day. These are the days that you will pick up or learn something in life so don’t hate it. Bad days could be emotionally exhausting but you can’t just give up. Learn the process of moving on and learning from the past. This is an amazing article. Thanks for the insight!
Sean says
Thank you. I NEEDED THIS
Rose says
Bless you both!
Ram says
Thanks guys. I needed the words of encouragement. I guess what I really learned from this was to just be still, and let it be. No, I can’t control what happens to me, just how I react. Lately I’ve been feeling like karma hasn’t returned the good vibes I’ve been sending out. Whether its for interviews, exams, or any other major event, I’ve just found myself stumbling constantly and losing faith. I really liked your quote, “the struggle isn’t on the path, it is the path.” True words. Thanks Angel and Marc.
Martha says
Nice reminder, which came in the right moment. I know hard times only help you get stronger, but sometimes I just wish I didn’t need more strength 🙂
Thank you both!
Disa says
I really think you two will be my lifesaver on my journey now… Amazing to stumble on your website at the same moment that i really do not see a glimpse of light at the end and almost giving up..I say the same as one commented in here….God must think am Hercules, and for a way too long time for my taste, and so far of what i have read from you guys is really really helping alot.
Thank you for existing 🙂
Amanda says
This is my favourite quote “Tough situations build strong, successful people. So no matter how much it hurts now, you have to hold your head up, grit your teeth, and take another step. Don’t waste time complaining. In the end, persistence and determination speak loud enough.”
Loved this because I think I complain too much when my life is mainly beautiful regardless of all my struggles. Thank you for the reminder! 🙂 xxx
Luis says
Hi, had a bad day today and this helped me cope up and get back to standing again. I get rejected by so many people everyday, but that won’t stop me. I am a talented human being. Thanks for getting me back on track! 🙂 Fighting! Love your site.
Anne says
It’s amazing to me that through the rough times I’ve been having, the only people that have made things better and not worse are people I don’t even know … and I thank you for that Marc and Angel.
Brandy says
Thank you so much for posting this! My best friend shared this with me, and it’s the first thing I read this morning! Awakening my mind and heart in such positive light feels AMAZING! One think I keep in mind when I’m have a bad day, is the day is still mine. I remember laughter is cheap EXTRAORDINARY medicine and helps others smile. There are so many who won’t have “today” & they remind me breathing is a miracle in itself?
Alisha says
Thank you soo much! Such a comforting post. I had tears in my eyes when I read this. I was having a really bad week..surrounded with a lot of negativity..this post is like a diamond in the rough.
Diana says
Thank you for this post. Just the right words at the right time. Awesome!
RoseRed says
I read this just as I was having a bad day. 🙂
I will come back again if my day(s) worsen. I see sunlight through the clouds when I read your words. Thanks you guys!
Kristen says
It continues to amaze me how I seem to read your posts at precisely the time I most need THAT particular post. Thank you for you continuing wisdom! Your posts are helpful and appreciated!! P.S. I love the video blogs. Getting to see and hear both of you is an extra boost to your written posts. 🙂
When I have I bad day, and need to re-focuse, all I really have to do is read the news to remind myself how incredibly fortunate I am to live where I live and have the blessings I have in comparison to many, many people around the world. I also do regular volunteer wor, which helps me to keep my own challenges in their proper perspective by shifting my focus to what I can DO for others, rather than on what I want or need.
John says
Such great advice- thank you for sharing. When I’m down and having a bad day, I like to take the time to think of the little things in my life I have to be thankful for, as a way to shift my perspective. They don’t have to be big things, but it always helps for the positivity to flow!
Karen says
Thank you for a super inspiring video!!
My contribution..
When things get tough…and they do… I tell myself – because i know it is in fact TRUE – this too shall pass!! It always does… Either slower or faster.
My 2 cents…
Love.
Jeff says
I have been reading your articles for a couple of days now. I find them to be very uplifting, intelligent, and just plain good stuff! I have also enjoyed all the great comments by so many people. This is for me one of the best sites I have come across on the web. I commend both of you!
Robin says
Thank you for this. Your blog has been a tremendous blessing to me in tough times. I look forward to brighter days! Thank you again!!!!
Kathy says
Thank you for this. I needed this today. Lost my best friend 3 weeks ago in a car accident, and having a tough time being back at work and putting her out of my mind. Distracted and out of it at work, and we just had a round of layoffs, so not a good time to be a spacecase. So thank you for sharing the good thoughts. Tomorrow will be a better day.
Lavanya says
Thank you for a great motivational video!
Colleen says
Thank you for sharing your thoughts! Omg. This really helped me a lot. Went through something bad this day and can’t help but think of it till now. After reading this, I felt better. And I’ll continue reading this everytime I need to calm myself from bad things happening. Thank you so much and more power! ?
BW says
Thank you for this eloquent “positive brainwash”!! It doesn’t change the facts however that certain things are meant not be even if you dedicate your entire life to get them!! What do you say if all indicators strongly suggest that you are capable of achieving something and you keep spinning your wheels for decades and you are not getting an inch closer to where you “need to be”!! Happy dreaming!!
Denise says
Your advice is the best I have found. I started a job recently at age 60 due to my prior doctor I worked for retired. I try my best to learn and train but when they bring up mistakes on thing’s I should remember I beat my self up over them making it hard on myself and I can’t let it go. I go home miserable and crying like why can’t I be their perfect one so they will think so glad we hired her she is perfect. But that is not humanly possible as after your article we are not. So going forward a mistake is a learning tool and if done again ask and clarify how it I is done maybe I didn’t understand it quite right the first time. But this all seems easier said then done. So I have to work hard on this new path I will be taking and not go in the same groove or run I was taking. Again, thanks.
Hajikero says
I completely totaled my car today and this made me feel great. Thank you for this post!
Nicole says
I know this is an older post, but I really needed to hear this.
Thank you!!!
Shivam Gautam says
Thanks for your valuable article, this post gives me hope there will always good days are waiting for me.