Mikes Blog

Don’t get angry at those who oppose you. Get smart, get creative, get energetic, get busy.

When you fight against a person, an idea, an institution, you’re not fighting on your own terms. You’re fighting on their terms, putting yourself at a severe disadvantage.

Instead, dig deeper and connect with the positive vision behind what you support. Craft an authentic, compelling story that inspires you and attracts others to join you.

Be for what you are for, in full and passionate support of what you love and care about. Rather than getting drawn into fighting, put your time and effort into building, maintaining, strengthening.

Raise yourself to a higher level than those who would go against you. Create so much enrichment and affirmation that their negativity is rendered irrelevant.

If all you can think to do is complain and oppose, think some more. Zero in on what makes you care so much, on what you seek to lift up, and aim yourself solidly in that direction.

— Ralph Marston

Do your part
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Notice and understand the difficulties, the things out of balance, but don’t obsess endlessly over them. Instead, focus on what you can do to make things better.

When the outside world offers nothing but despair, that’s the time to fill your inside thoughts with hope. When the situation is going downhill, point your own intentions in a higher, more beneficial direction.

The negativity is bad enough on its own, so don’t add to it with your thoughts. Choose to center your thinking on positive alternatives.

That doesn’t require you to be unrealistic about what’s going on. On the contrary, it puts you in the best position to improve on whatever difficulties have arisen.

Clearly see those difficulties without letting them dominate your thinking. Call upon the power of your values, your vision, your faith and positive expectations.

No, you won’t improve the whole world on your own, yet you absolutely can improve yourself. So do that, and do your part to make life a more positive and fulfilling experience.

— Ralph Marston

Flip the negative
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People, events, situations can leave you confused, frightened, angry, or resentful, often by design. Yet you can always choose a more empowered response.

Engage positively in life. Flip the negative influences on their head so they inspire you rather than bring you down.

Take a proactive approach to your own sense of well being. Absorb whatever energy is pointed your way and transform it into a force for goodness.

No one else has a right to control how you feel. So don’t give anyone the chance.

You’re very familiar with what inspires you to be your best. Make that your focus, and make good, helpful, productive living your outcome.

Flip the negative influences and commit yourself to being a positive presence in life. There’s a whole lot of good you can do by being you, so enable all that goodness to unfold.

— Ralph Marston

Into stillness
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In stillness you can hear yourself think. In stillness you can remember who you are.

In stillness you gain perspective. In stillness you connect to purpose.

If you so choose, every waking hour can be filled with information, entertainment, stimulation, and excitement. But that’s not your best choice.

Give yourself time and space for contemplation. Give yourself the opportunity to peacefully experience the depth of your own being.

All the bright rectangles bursting with color and motion and sound are intoxicating. They evoke reality, yet they are not even close to the sum of reality.

Arrange yourself into some stillness every so often. And reconnect with the deep, rich reality of your own rare and precious existence.

— Ralph Marston