Mikes Blog

Difference of opinion
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There are people who have different opinions than you. Those people are not your enemies.

There is much you can learn from those who disagree with you. There is much to be accomplished when people with a wide range of perspectives work together.

Your own viewpoint is not strengthened by blind rejection of other viewpoints. On the contrary, your viewpoint grows stronger when you thoughtfully consider the views of others.

No one has all the answers all the time. Diversity of opinion gives rise to great value whenever it is embraced.

Don’t let your thoughts be imprisoned by your refusal to consider other thoughts. Don’t let your thinking grow stale and ineffective by isolating it from challenges.

Go deeper, and seek to find means of connection and agreement rather than points of contention. Behind every opinion, every perspective, there’s always value to be found.

— Ralph Marston

Serious business
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Are you a little unclear about your priorities, about what matters most to you? Subject yourself to challenge, and you’ll quickly understand those priorities.

Challenge will focus you, inspire you, improve you. Challenge will connect you with your highest values and your deepest desires.

Challenge will force you to generate real, meaningful substance in your life. Challenge will get you out of bed in the morning, and keep you on track all day long.

Whether you choose a particular challenge or one is imposed on you, your most useful response is the same. Step up to the challenge and let it bring out your highest, most effective effort.

A serious challenge is serious business. Respond with serious commitment, and it will make you seriously better, more purposeful and effective.

Embrace the challenges. And know, with confidence, just how meaningful, valuable, and consequential your life, and your efforts, can be.

— Ralph Marston

Great new beginning
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Don’t be dismayed if you’ve been going the wrong direction. Turn around, now, and put yourself on a positive track.

Don’t let your lack of progress become an excuse to avoid effort. Embrace responsibility in this moment, and direct yourself into effective action.

Your shortcomings and mistakes are in the past. Keep them there.

Take the opportunity of this day, of this situation, to push forward. Set your intention firmly on a positive goal, then set about to make it happen.

You can do this. Yes you, yes now, yes from where you are, with what you have.

Grab hold of the fresh, new opportunity that’s right here, today. Your future begins now, so give all you have to make it a great new beginning.

— Ralph Marston

For a world hardened by life, joy appears. In a time dimmed by a million meaningless diversions, the light of truth emerges.

Where angst and cynicism have engulfed awareness, hope begins to rise. When the day is overwhelmed with despair, kindness steps in.

With grace, with humility, with eternal persistence, goodness endures, and grows. Subverting every challenge, goodness finds a place, however small, however unnoticed, to resonate in each heart.

In lives hardened by the world, a spark ignites new passion, renewed purpose. Words of truth transform chaos into order, despair into beauty.

Courage, strength, goodness are not always evident, not always engaged. Yet they persist, and never fail to come forth when needed most.

After a cold, clear night, sunlight warms the eastern sky. And new hope has been born.

— Ralph Marston