What IF?

If you were to empty the garbage from your mind, what would that process look like? If you were to let go of all the thoughts that hold you back, what would take their place?

If you were to rise above the pettiness of your ego, what would you do in the next moment? If you were to make this time and place a little better, what small factor would you work to improve?

If you were forever free of anxiety and envy, how would you employ your increased energy? If you were to fully realize how good you have it, in what new ways would you choose to give of yourself?

If you were to give voice to difficult truths, what would have inspired you to do so? If you were to give up a desirable but destructive habit, would it really be so painful?

If you were to be more honest with yourself, which of your own excuses would you no longer tolerate? If you were to tackle your most difficult challenge, what’s the first step you would take?

If you were confident of success, what would you relentlessly work to achieve? If you were to live the life you always dreamed of living, what would you do, starting right now?

— Ralph Marston

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Kindness is my Religion

Proactive kindness
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It’s in your best interest to be considerate of the best interests of others. It’s in your best interest to live in a world where there’s more understanding and less divisiveness.

You can’t force others to be kinder, more tolerant, more cooperative. Yet you can set a powerful positive example with your own behavior.

Don’t wait to receive kindness before offering kindness to others. You can be more proactive than that.

You can be the first person in the situation to act with genuine kindness. You can be the first person to listen, to seek to understand, to offer your assistance.

Your kindness will not always be returned. It will, however, always make a difference and set a positive example.

The highly beneficial conditions of friendship, understanding, unity, and peace have to start somewhere. Do your best to let them start with you.

— Ralph Marston

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You Choose

Choose your perspective
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In any situation, you control your perspective. You decide what to notice, what to care about, what to allow inside your head, what to keep out.

One quick thought, one small but meaningful reminder, can completely alter your perspective. What can you tell yourself, right now, that will give you a more positive and powerful outlook?

A well-chosen perspective keeps your thoughts, words, actions, and feelings in line with your best interests. Whatever the external conditions may be, your perspective enables you to make beneficial use of them.

Life is often noisy, complicated, unpredictable, and downright bewildering at times. A strong and steady perspective enables you to thrive, to achieve, to create real goodness in the midst of the maelstrom.

Ask yourself now, and often, what do you really care about? Establish and maintain a perspective that inoculates you from the turmoil of the moment.

Choose a perspective that shines a brilliant light on your best possibilities. And give yourself the power to bring those possibilities to life.

— Ralph Marston

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Just Do it!

Clear destination
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Don’t just dream about your dreams, don’t merely fantasize about what you want to achieve. Act on your goals, start right away, and bring them to life.

What is the path that will get you from here to there? What first step can you take today?

Just about any objective you can imagine and sincerely desire is achievable. Yet you must make a solid, immediate and continuing commitment to put in the time, to do the work.

You owe yourself more than just a string of unfulfilled wishes. You deserve the experience and satisfaction of making your dreams come to life.

Challenge yourself first to be sure you truly want it. Then push yourself to make it happen, day after day, step by step.

Give yourself a clear, brightly shining destination. And do what it takes, starting right now, to get yourself there.

— Ralph Marston

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