Think a little less about managing your problems and a little more about managing your mindset.
The real trick is to enjoy life. Don’t wish away all of your days waiting for better ones ahead. Just appreciate where you are. You have come a long way, and you’re still learning and growing. Be thankful for the lessons. Take them and make the best of things right now.
Start by reminding yourself that inner peace and progress in life are both built through tiny daily victories. It’s the seemingly inconsequential choices we make day to day that make all the difference. So as we move forward through the next 24 hours, challenge yourself…
1. When a new day begins, challenge yourself to smile genuinely and gratefully.
2. When you don’t get what you want, challenge yourself to appreciate that there are lots of people in this world who will never have what you have right now.
3. When you catch yourself thinking the grass is greener on the other side, challenge yourself to water the grass you’re standing on.
4. When you absolutely can’t control what’s happening to you, challenge yourself to control the way you respond to what’s happening (in your response is your power).
5. When there seems to be little hope, challenge yourself to find some.
6. When you catch yourself overthinking things, challenge yourself to take a tiny step forward instead.
7. When you are completely uncertain about what the future will bring, challenge yourself to make the best and most positive use of the present.
8. When you have two really good options to choose from, challenge yourself to go with the one that scares you the most, because that’s likely the one that’s going to help you grow.
9. When you are going to do something — anything at all — challenge yourself to do it with your whole heart and soul.
10. When there are lots of excuses for why you can’t get it done, challenge yourself to focus on all the tiny reasons why you must make it happen.
11. When you find yourself wishing for instant gratification, challenge yourself to admit that if you could have it instantly, it would likely not be worth having (for the real value of accomplishment is in the accomplishing).
12. When mistakes are made, challenge yourself to learn from them, laugh about them, and move on.
13. When you find yourself trying to control too much, and thus enjoying too little, challenge yourself to let go and appreciate what is. (Read “Loving What Is”.)
14. When there is needless drama and negativity surrounding you, challenge yourself to walk the other way.
15. When your own negativity tries to break through, challenge yourself to recall that you are in control of the way you look at life, and then try to use your frustrations as fuel to motivate you rather than annoy you.
16. When you find yourself running in place attempting to fix and fight the past, challenge yourself to build and grow something new.
17. When doing the wrong thing is easier, challenge yourself to do the right thing, even if no one else will know (because YOU will know).
18. When everything seems confusing and chaotic, challenge yourself to take a step back so you can see things clearly again.
19. When you meet someone new, challenge yourself to be patient with them, to pay attention to them, and to remember that everyone you meet has something important to teach you.
20. When you don’t like someone, challenge yourself to identify an insecurity within yourself that they are triggering.
21. When a negative situation gets emotional, take a deep breath and challenge yourself to remember that inner peace begins the moment you decide not to let another person or event control your emotions.
22. When someone you meet is lost, challenge yourself to help them find their way.
23. When a friend falls down, challenge yourself to be the first to extend a hand.
24. When a day has come to an end, challenge yourself to appreciate that you have done your very best.
Now it’s your turn…
Yes, it’s your turn to breathe deep, to be present, and to remind yourself that every day is a series of a million tiny miracles. So just keep doing your best to see them today, and every day for that matter. See how inner strength and peace come with letting go of what you assume your journey is supposed to be like, and sincerely accepting and appreciating it for everything that it is.
But before you go, please leave Marc and me a comment below and let us know what you think of this post. Your feedback is important to us.
Which one of the points above resonated the most with you?
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.
Rika Mitchell says
Inspired! I’m not trying to make a huge leap everyday but since some of us are result-driven, we tend to be a bit frustrated if we don’t see a visible change in our lives right away. This post reminded me that it’s those small steps we CONTINUALLY make every day with patience and diligence. Thank you, Marc and Angel, for brightening my gloomy day. I shall keep moving forward stronger than ever before and welcome what’s ahead with open heart and mind.
Karin Alvarez says
The perfect antidote to the craziness of my past week. Your refreshing way of turning all the stresses into growth opportunities has helped me immensely over the past few months. Thank you for sharing these positive challenges.
Lee says
These are all great challenges and I will try to keep them in mind and reference this post in the coming days too. Thank you.
Zina Mae says
With the guidance I’ve received from your blog emails over this past year or so I’ve gotten a pretty good handle on the first two, but number 3 I need to work on. I still try to hold on to everything — for fear that it will all change, or that it never will go my way. So thanks for the reminder today. Needed it.
Dave says
Inch by inch, Everything is a Cinch! Great reminders here to reflect on. The first on on gratefulness hits today.
Charmi Lad says
This was a great post. The ones on control resonate with me the most right now. I try to control things in my life which leaves me unhappy and full of frustration. I will try to relax more and go with the flow. I will also breathe the next time I am faced with an emotional situation that turns negative because of an event or person.
Crystal Edmiston says
I totally agree with you as I myself try to control life. Which exactly makes me uneasy and unsatisfied. Perfect doesn’t really exist physically, but only in my perspective. And each of our own perspectives are our reality. So I’m reminding myself to make every effort to be positive and happy in every moment.
Violet Wells says
I share your sentiments… I really enjoy Marc & Angels posts, and many comments following them are after inspiring as well~thank you.
Barbara Altamore says
#4. I found myself getting very upset over some news. I didn’t like that feeling so I remembered that moments before I heard it. I wasn’t upset. So I consciously went back to that feeling of calm and then found it easier to think about the news more objectively. I gave you credit for the reminder. It’s amazing how you two have influenced my ways of thinking by your many daily reminders. Thank you! M & A
Anthony Frimpz says
Your point no. 2. resonates so much with me:
“When you don’t get what you want, challenge yourself to appreciate that there are lots of people in this world who will never have what you have right now.”
Keep the fire burning.
Susan P Mashburn says
I love 24 the best. Laying down to sleep I reflect on the love and care that I gave to my husband and our pets. I did my best. Thanks Marc and Angel for reminding us that doing our best matters.
stephen morgan says
Hi
I am in the UK
I think 19, 20 and 21 would be good for me to bear in mind… especially if I don’t like someone, which insecurities are they triggering?
Thank you for your posts… they are always good to read and a reminder of a positive path to take.
Peace and Love baby…
Stephen x
Ann Hendershot says
This is one of many of your articles that I just love. All items resonate with me to some extent. I am always excited to start working on making the necessary changes. I especially loved the few items on human compassion. I offer a smile whenever I can and have even been asked why I smile so much when life can’t be all 100% good. That is correct, but I seem to feel better when I shove the bad stuff aside, plant a smile on my face, and move forward. I choose JOY!
Tavy says
Great insights – thank you for letting me (us) know that the future depends on how we handle the present moment – seeking the best out of it.
David says
Just when I think your posts can’t get any better, you come out with something great which gives me the impression that I’m still learning and growing. Thanks for all your hard work, and for sharing it. It has helped me to see things a little more clearly and to benefit from the clarity.
A lesson that you’ve helped me to learn is the following…
4. When you absolutely can’t control what’s happening to you, challenge yourself to control the way you respond to what’s happening (in your response is your power).
Some things happen quite quickly so I try to keep that though fresh and on my mind.
Of course many more of the points mentioned, I’m challenged to do on an almost daily basis, especially the last 3 points. “When someone you meet is lost, challenge yourself to help them find their way. When a friend falls down, challenge yourself to be the first to extend a hand. When a day has come to an end challenge yourself to appreciate that you’ve done the your very best.” Good reminders that we’re here to learn to become our brothers keepers and to be grateful. Hugs.