It happens to all of us gradually as we live and grow. We discover more about who we are and the way life really is, and then we realize there are some changes we need to make. The lifestyle we’ve been living no longer fits. The environments and relationships we once found comfort in no longer exist, or no longer serve our best interests. So we cherish all the great memories, but find ourselves at a crossroads, choosing to embark on the first step of a brand new path.
And it’s not easy. It’s painful to give up what’s comfortable and familiar, especially when you have no other choice. Marc and I have struggled through this process many times out of necessity. Over the past decade we’ve had to deal with several significant, unexpected life changes and challenges, including:
- Losing a sibling to suicide
- Losing a best friend to cardiac arrest
- Financial unrest and debt following a breadwinning employment layoff
- Breaking ties with a loved one who repeatedly betrayed us
- Family business failure (and reinvention)
- and the list goes on…
Those experiences were brutal. Each of them, naturally, knocked us down and off course for a period of time. But once we accepted the truth, by giving up our innocent ideals and letting go of the way things used to be, we pressed forward, stronger, and with a greater understanding and respect for life.
Getting to the right state of mind—one that actually allowed us to move forward with our lives—required mindful practice. Because when we were initially faced with each one of those brutal experiences—when we were standing at the forefront of another rocky crossroads in our lives—you better believe our minds were spinning with negative emotions. We had to learn to catch ourselves in that negative state of emotional unrest, and then consciously calm our minds, so we could think straight, and make the best decisions possible with the hand we’d been dealt.
The simplest way of doing this?
Proactive daily reminders.
It’s all about keeping the right thoughts at the top of your mind every day, so they’re readily available on those inevitable days when you need them most. For us, that meant sitting down quietly with ourselves every morning and reflecting on precisely what we needed to remember. We used quotes (now excerpts from our book and blog archive) like the ones below to do just that. Some people call them affirmations, or mantras, or prayers, or convictions, but in any case these daily reminders kept us on track by keeping calm, peaceful, productive thoughts and perspectives at the top of our minds, even when life got utterly chaotic.
We ultimately learned that peace does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble, or hard realities to deal with—peace means to be in the midst of all those things and still remain calm in your mind.
Challenge yourself to choose one of these quotes every morning, and then sit quietly for two minutes while repeating it silently in your mind. See how doing so gradually changes the way you think through life’s twists and turns and crossroads.
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Please share this post with others who you think will benefit from it, and also share your thoughts with us in the comments section below. If you’re up to it, we’d love it if you shared an additional quote or personal saying that has helped calm your mind through life’s twists and turns and crossroads.
Also, if you haven’t done so already, be sure to sign-up for our free newsletter to receive new articles like this in your inbox each week.
Kathleen says
M&A, your teachings continue to help me find hope and direction as I navigate some very tough transitions in my life.
This post is actually perfect for me, because I pretty much do exactly as you’ve suggested…I read read part of one of your emails, posts, or a page of your book almost every day before I leave my home in the morning. Doing so keeps so many things in perspective and creates a sense of peace and awareness that somehow encourages me to face tough days more positively and effectively. Thanks for continuing to shine your light.
Gabe Niles says
Great post, awesome quotes and affirmations! And now I’ll add one of my absolute favorites from one of Marc’s recent emails…
“You become a true master of your life when you learn how to master your focus—where your attention goes. Value what you give your energy to today.”
So incredibly relevant to everything I’m working towards right now. And so is this blog post.
Thank you for another enlightening read and challenge, Angel.
Olivia says
Like Kathleen and Gabe above, I have several go-to daily affirmations, dozens of which I have also taken directly from your blog emails and book over the years.
One particular quote from your book that I have had taped to my office whiteboard for a while now, and frequently repeat to myself:
“No matter how chaotic the recent past has been, the immediate future is a clean, fresh, wide open slate. You are not your past habits. You are not your past mistakes. You are not how others have at one time treated you. You are only who you think you are right now in this moment. You are only what you do right now in this moment.”
Kshitish says
I love your qoute. Its really a nice one.
Dayna says
Love these quotes and ideas.
I’ll add: Be here now.
That’s always been my mantra.
Nailla says
“Today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday.”
Helps me stay present.
lizzo says
I think I need all of these quotes on my wallpaper. Each one is relevant for at least one day in my year.
thanks for sharing them.
xxlizzo
LJ says
It was like you wrote these for me. I can’t tell you how much this post will help me get through an immediate situation and anything that crosses my path in the future.
Thank you!
ME. says
My life has changed dramatically over the last four years, I’m ready to move on to the unknown, I see this as a new beginning for me.it’s time for me now..Thank you for the inspection and making me feel it’s all doable.
Julie A Ross says
Marc & Angel. You cease to amaze me. There r so many apps & downloads available out there but your info is compatible with what I am learning in a DBT class at Mayo Clinic. It compliments it incredibly. Thankyou.
Sindy says
Hi Angel,
I think most of us dont realize how truly strong we are until we have to face the particular situation.
We have all experienced loss, rejection and pain at some point in our lives, I myself have had to face several of the challenges you named and even much worst in my short life but one person’s expeeience does not compare to another’s. As I’m writing this, I am sitting in a hospital bed with almost 20 metal staples holding my insides from spilling out (I took pictures to show my friends), but the good news is that I’m still here. I saw the sun come up this morning and I can still sit up and take care of myself. So when others tell me that I am weak, I simply laugh to myself knowing that they dont have a clue.
Negative thinking doesnt bother me as much anymore but I was recently reminded of story of a baby elephant, and I too will have to test my chains soon…wish me luck!
Chris says
Thanks, I needed that so desperately, right now.
Ben Chasse says
One of my favorites:
I am, have, and will always be enough.
Jeetu says
Simply amazing.so deep words.
Thank you.
OMA says
Hello Marc and Angel, all I can say is : this blog is wonderful. Thank u for keeping me going with ur posts in the midst of my challenges.
Curt says
Thank you for your collection of wonderful reminders to get on with your life…….these are truly the shiniest pebbles on the beach, and if we slow down enough as we walk by, we’ll notice those beautiful reminders of what we are seeking may be just appear to us before our next step. Keep the waves rolling in!
Nancy says
At 77 years old, I still find your articles very helpful as I navigate through life. Marc and Angel, you have reinforced my positive attitudes and helped me eliminate those negative feelings. Please continue to help us all.
Naiane Pitzer says
Marc, Angel, you guys are amazing. Your articles are always a light in the darkness when I’m feeling like I have no place to go. Thank you so much for sharing your wisdom.
Amelia Mansell says
I love these Quotes…….. and y’all for making it available to seekers of peace ?? love ?? and truth ??
karen says
Just want to say thank you for sharing your lives and help with the rest of us on the road of life. Sure needed some of these quotes and reminders on a hard day.
thank you so much
George Basham says
I’ve read a lot of inspirational quotes over the years and books by all of the top motivational speakers out there but this is one of the most awesome collections of wisdom in one post ever, thanks so much!
Leeann Means says
If the whole world rejected you and you didn’t believe any of your thoughts about it you would be completely at peace …..Byron Katie
Jerry says
I really enjoy reading the emails I get each day I actually look forward to checking my email to see what you have sent today that I can share with my family.
Glenn says
I need a book of 52 of these, one for every week of the year to give me focus
Rick says
Magglio Ordonez, outfielder for the White Sox and the Tigers, once said; “When I try to do too much, I don’t do too much, So I try not to do too much”.\
Thanks for the inspiration, your daily emails are a highlight!
Janci Goodson says
My favorite saying is by Dr. Seuss.
“Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.”
This saying has helped me with so many things, but mainly the death of my husband. It reminds me to be grateful for the many great things I have had in my life.
Thank you Marc and Angel!!! You inspire me every day and make a difference in my life.
Janci
Linda says
Hi Marc & Angel
You should create a 2018 calendar using your inspirational quotes and messages – I know I would buy one. Thanks for this wonderful post and for all of the other posts that you have put out.
Linda
thendral says
Thanks for sharing….
Josephine Akirapa says
Awesome and very helpful quotes! Thank you Marc and Angel for sharing, God Bless you
Maria Sahar says
It was just like I am in my dream world, loved it <3
I'll add too: "Besides forgiving others, if you can live by forgiving yourself too. Trust me! you are a saint soul."
Annette Hohnberger says
Quote #37 is right on the money. Often times, resistance tries to get in the way of growth and progress. But, once you understand that it’s just you overcoming inertia, you can easily overcome the tendency to fall back into old habits.
Laura C. says
This has arrived at the right moment. Yesterday I found myself in a situation where i had to apply those wonderful sentences. I went home very sad and then I got your email. Thanks Marc and Angel. You made me feel better.
Susan says
These quotes are absolutely awesome! Thank you so much for always being there with the words most needed! I’m watering my grass right now. I thank God for you.
Jolene Smith says
As others have said, I needed this right now. In the midst of big changes, thank you so much!!
Hakima says
Hi
Thank you so much for sharing all these beautiful quotes and thoughts, and other information about our unrecognized abilities. I am going to find myself stronger then what i was thinking i am.
Godwin says
Hey,
Thank you so much
Tanya Figueroa says
The articles, quotes are more than helpful very encouraging such as “Daily Devotions.
Jennifer Lee says
Ahhh…these quotes could possibly begin to thaw my frozen heart. I have been frozen with fear of change for so long now that my whole life feels frozen in a discomfort of routines and habits. Thank you for these nuggets of wisdom. I’m hoping to grab a few and start chipping away at the ice. <3
Amy says
“Simply Splendid “! Thanks a lot M&A. You guys are “Rare Gems”!
Lloyd Schneider says
Also
The more we recognize the good times. The more the times are good.
Angel Hyatt says
Thank you for the post and please keep sending these insightful posts to me via email. They are slowly changing my thinking and attitude about everything.
Esther Henningsen says
I recently lost my soulmate, best friend, partner in all things ~ and husband of forty one years. I have also lost a huge part of myself and can’t see how I can go on. I haven’t been able to sleep, and find I am living under a cloud of despair, regret and fear. I value what I read here and believe it is the path to living again. I’m just having a difficult time actually implementing your teachings. But I will not give up! Thank you for sharing your knowledge, I’m so glad I was meant to find it.