Mikes Blog

Open to wonder
+++++++++++++++++++

The world is full of wonder, your life proceeds through constant wonder. The wonder exists everywhere, all the time.

When you let go of your fears, of your preconceptions, you see the wonder. Allow it to inhabit your core, and live the wonder.

Right now, you can open yourself to wonder. It takes nothing more than to just let it be.

You strive to obtain this or that, to journey here or there. Yet where you came from and where you go, in what you have and in what you lack, wonder abounds.

Whether you’re feeling joy or discouragement, frustration or enthusiasm, wonder abides quickly within reach. In all that happens, in all that is, be open enough to look deeply enough, and you’ll see wonder looking back at you.

True wonder pervades all you are and all you can be. Give wonder a place to reside in your awareness, and let its magic unfold.

— Ralph Marston

Potential value
+++++++++++++++++++

You experience darkness so you’re able to appreciate the value of light. You feel fear and it prompts you to call forth courage.

Hardship is a burden but not your enemy. Your enemy is indifference, and the challenges, the pains, the struggles render indifference impossible.

Beauty and possibility call to you, but all too often you fail to hear. Yet life’s difficulties cannot be ignored, and they are what can force you to care.

They sharpen your skills, increase your wisdom, focus your efforts. And thus engaged, you do notice positive possibilities, you do advance beauty, meaning, and fulfillment.

It is by experiencing the difficulty of your efforts that you understand their power. In the pain is not just the gain, but also the awareness that gain is possible.

In every twist and turn of fate, you can find potential value. Always be eager to do the work that brings that potential to life.

— Ralph Marston

Live the peace
+++++++++++++++++++

Step away from the noise and the drama. Take a deep, refreshing breath, and allow peace to fill your awareness.

Much of what you’re normally forced to notice is not really worth your notice. Calmly consider the beautiful truth of who you are and the good things you can do.

Remind yourself of the people, the places, the ideas and pursuits you love. Resonate with the authentic goodness of the moment you’re in and the existence you inhabit.

Settle into a level of being where all is truly well. Give yourself the experience of being able to linger there, with no need to rush away.

Live the peace you’re always capable of experiencing. Let it strengthen you and inspire you to handle whatever may come your way.

Live the peace, and accept from it a refreshed perspective. Take all the truth you find there, and carry it bravely forward.

— Ralph Marston

The real thing
+++++++++++++++++++

The imitation is cheaper, quicker, very convenient. And that’s why the real thing is infinitely more satisfying.

An experience that demands nothing from you cannot convey anything worthwhile to you. Satisfaction does not reside in what you get unless it is rooted in what you give.

You might feel clever when you can check off the box without going to any trouble. The thing is, all you end up with is a checked-off box.

The point of doing anything is not just so you can take a selfie and say you’ve done it. What enriches your life is the commitment of your thoughts, your focus, your time, energy, and effort.

Respect yourself, your heritage, your possibilities and capabilities by insisting on the real thing. Anything less is nothing much.

You are a miraculous instantiation of the real thing. Refuse to settle for anything else.

— Ralph Marston