Where you ultimately end up greatly depends on your daily attitude and response.
This morning one of our clients, Monica — a victim of a fairly recent and debilitating car accident — was smiling from ear to ear the minute our FaceTime coaching session began. “What has you in such good spirits today?” I asked her. “I’m thinking better about things today — about how lucky I am to be alive,” she replied. “I thought the injuries I sustained in that accident earlier this year signified the end of life as I know it, but now I realize they signify the beginning.”
All details aside, Monica decided to begin again, in her mind first and then in her life. It’s taken her several months of healing and practice, but she has gradually let go of the “shoulda, woulda, coulda” attachments in her head about her circumstances, and she has stepped forward with grace, determination, and a more positive mindset.
Let’s follow Monica’s lead and practice thinking better in the days and weeks ahead, so we can begin to build momentum, together, as we move forward…
Daily Reminders and Quotes on Sticky Notes
It’s all about keeping the right thoughts top of mind so they’re readily available in the moments when we need them most. For Monica, that has meant deliberately reflecting on what she needs to remember. To make this practice seamless she writes important reminders on sticky notes and then puts them up where she can see them as she moves through her days (a few of her sticky notes are up on the wall in her home office, and she has a few more on her bathroom mirror and refrigerator).
Monica’s sticky notes keep her on track by keeping her mind inspired with positive, proactive reminders, even when she’s struggling. Through this daily practice she she has ultimately learned that inner peace does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, chaos, or challenges to deal with; it means being in the midst of all those things and still being capable of maintaining a healthy mindset. And I’m sure you’ve learned something similar over the years from your own life experiences. I know Angel and I surely have. But just like Monica, and you, we often forget…
Which is precisely why Angel and I have sticky notes up in our house too. So my challenge to you is to start practicing alongside us for the next few weeks. To get started, copy our notes and quotes below — perhaps just the ones that resonate most — and rewrite them on physical sticky notes, so you can then stick them up where you can see them. Then pause for a few moments throughout every day, as needed, and quietly read them to yourself. See how doing so gradually changes the way you think and feel, especially in those moments that are harder than expected…
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(Note: Most of the sticky notes and quotes above are included in “The Good Morning Journal: Powerful Prompts & Reflections to Start Every Day”.)
Let’s make the best of what’s in front of us.
We often yearn for a very small and selective range of life experiences — the fun times, the happy days, the things that make us feel calm and comfortable. And yet the full range of our daily reality is often quite different. Life gives us an extensive array of experiences that evoke feelings ranging from sadness to uncertainty to frustration to curiosity to nervousness… to happiness to excitement and more. These feelings are all part of being alive.
So we can revolt against the wide-ranging experiences life naturally provides, or we can make the very best of them. Starting today, let’s do the latter…
This means embracing every moment with our full presence, being open and vulnerable to reality, being gentle with ourselves when times are harder than expected, and practicing sincere gratitude whenever possible.
It means accepting life as it is, and accepting ourselves as we are.
It means not expecting the best to happen every time, but instead accepting whatever happens, and making the very best of it one step at a time.
And it won’t always be easy of course, but it’s worth working on.
YOU are worth working on!
Now it’s your turn…
Yes, it’s your turn to get some inspiring sticky notes up on your walls today. But before you go, please leave Angel and me a comment below and let us know what you think of this post. Your feedback is important to us. 🙂
Which sticky note or idea above resonates with you the most?
Finally, 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.
Toni says
I already have sticky notes around my condo because they help and they work for me. I’ve added a couple more based on the ones you listed here. I started using sticky notes after a series of tough events a year ago to help me reestablish beneficial habits and mindsets, and they’ve worked well for me so far.
Paul Ibidun says
Great article! Most appreciated.
Clayton says
“you don’t need to attend every argument or drama you’re invited to”
Exactly what I needed to be reminded of as I approach a big extended family gathering this week.
And in those moments, I will try to think of trout rising to a fisherman’s fly…
Bite it, and life becomes heated quickly.
Let it float by.
Cheryl says
So true Clayton good way to look at it.
Ann says
I really appreciate your sharing and often find a guiding kernel of wisdom that helps me.. I am a sticky note person, and I find less verbiage works best for me as a very kinesthetic person. Here are some of my fave sticky notes:
“One touch of nature makes the whole world kin” Shakespeare
“That’s right May. Let all that misery slide right off you. Just let it go” Sue Monk Kid in The Secret Life of Bees
“And when you get down to it Lily that’s the only purpose grand enough for human life, not just to love but to persist in love” Sue Monk Kid again
“Wisdom begins in Wonder” (source unknown)
“Turn your face to the sun and the shadows fall behind you.” (source unknown, seen on a trail sign)
“Dance to the rhythm of your delight” friend Jo Vukelich
“It is the creative potential itself in human beings that is the image if God” Mary Daly
I have many more posted at work, others may think they are clutter. I think these wisdoms shine the light.
Shine on!!
Jennifer says
So grateful for your wisdom and articulating them in a simple way. You have helped me so much especially when I’m going through the dismantling of the societies we live in. My gosh, what’s happening in our world now!? So much suffering. Thank you.
Michelle says
I feel for you, Jennifer, and for all of us.
Harold Tinker says
I woke up this morning in great need of what I read. I’m 81 and realize I need to accept the fact I’m getting old. It doesn’t last forever.
After over 30 years pouring concrete and being active every day, doing very little now isn’t easy for me. I guess letting myself accept the fact that life goes on regardless if I accept it all or not.Time waits for no man. Not even me. I know the rest of my life will be what I make it. If I mess it up, I can’t blame it on anyone but myself.
God said it’s not good for man to dwell alone, but I lost a amazing wife 6 years ago so I dwell alone. Easy to feel sorry for myself. But I’m focusing forward. The start to this year was a hard one, but I can see how grew a little stronger inside – I’m still learning. I sincerely believe this, and that I can make progress in the days and weeks ahead.
Thanks for all you effort helping folks, like me, to make adjustments.
C says
It’s all about # 9 for me! Remembering how much is ALREADY in front of you (*and* demonstrating gratitude for it!!) is truly key for is truly the secret sauce. It helps you stay present when tempted to focus solely on what’s ahead , or what happened before, (which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but we all need balance).
All 10 morning reminders need to be on my walls, but thanks Marc+Angel for these nuggets of truth!
Dale says
Love these! I just put the 1st half of #3 up on my home office white board this morning.
Jenifer Manz says
I find it helpful to leave them at my touch points. Touch points is a term meaning the places you are sure to go to each and every day , such as bathroom mirror where you brush your teeth or next to your door nob at the door you use to leave the house, or next to the vitamins I take everyday and so on. Thanks for sharing , I enjoy getting the new quotes to add or switch out with the ones I already have.
Sharyn says
Love the term “touch notes”
Marie says
M&A, reminder number 4 above is something I used to struggle with desperately to no end. I actually found your website about three years ago when I was stuck in a bout of continuous stress. Between stressful job responsibilities, and difficult family obligations, my tank was utterly dry. In a nutshell, I was stretching myself far too thin — I was giving all of myself to the projects and people I care about and leaving zero time to nurture my own wellness. After reading your blog posts and emails, I signed up for your back to happiness course and started coaching with you. The rituals we designed na implemented for dealing with my self-neglect and balancing my time and energy so that I’m now nurturing both myself AND others, has been a an absolute life-saver.
Although it’s been awhile since I checked in here and left a public comment, I do regularly read your new posts and emails when they arrive in my inbox. This one—especially number 4—was such a great reminder for me as I embark on the next step at the moment that I had to leave you another quick Thank you!
Visiva says
The one about being grateful for the little things, like the choice of dress and the water we drink which we take for granted. Good reminder.
David says
That was an excellent post that really hit home… and well worth posting. Ha. Thank you! Hugs.
Sue says
Thank you for sharing these post it notes. Number 4 does resonate and it is something my brother recently said to me when I was admiring how much he had achieved with his new carpentry skills. He said little and often has bought me to where I am. So don’t be impatient enjoy the journey and you’ll be surprised when you look back to how far you have come. Looking forward to reading more of your posts. They are helping to calm and anxious mind.
David Cleroux says
Having received this once before, I already have it on several sticky notes. Thank you so much for that. Several of the quotes stood out to me, one is that “gradually you will end up where you need to be. Doing the right things with the right people. Patience is the key.” And one more. “Take control over what you do have power over”… and “Small repeated efforts will get you there.” Very good advice and what I’m now working on. Hugs and thank you. P.S. I’m answering this from my new phone.
Richard Kina says
Marc: These are good points but unless you follow up with action, they are just sticky notes. The horse is at the water, how do you get it to drink?
Betty says
#5 was a good point — “let go gradually to preserve your peace of mind bc in the end, little else will matter more.” Totally agree that peace of mind is a, if not the, top priority.
Sticky notes would not work for me at all. I prefer neat spaces w/o clutter and sudden problem messages to think about. “Everything in its place and its place in everything. “
Daisy@Kouponier says
These are some really wise words of wisdom you have shared here. My favorite would be sticky note number 4. I often feel anxious and have to keep reminding myself to not exert too much on particular situations. Thanks again for the heads up.