DO YOU TRULY LIKE THE COMPANY YOU KEEP IN THE EMPTY MOMENTS?

“It doesn't interest me what you do for a living. I want to know what you ache for, and if you dare to dream of meeting your heart's longing.

It doesn't interest me how old you are. I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool for love, for your dream, for the adventure of being alive. 

It doesn't interest me what planets are squaring your moon. I want to know if you have touched the center of your own sorrow, if you have been opened by life's betrayals or have become shriveled and closed from fear of further pain!I want to know if you can sit with pain, mine or your own, without moving to hide it or fade it, or fix it. 

I want to know if you can be with joy, mine or your own, if you can dance with wildness and let the ecstasy fill you to the tips of your fingers and toes without cautioning us to be careful, to be realistic, to remember the limitations of being human. 

It doesn't interest me if the story you are telling me is true. I want to know if you can disappoint another to be true to yourself; if you can bear the accusation of betrayal and not betray your own soul; if you can be faithless and therefore trustworthy. 

I want to know if you can see beauty even when it's not pretty, every day,and if you can source your own life from its presence. 

I want to know if you can live with failure, yours and mine, and still stand on the edge of the lake and shout to the silver of the full moon, “Yes!”

It doesn't interest me to know where you live or how much money you have. I want to know if you can get up, after the night of grief and despair, weary and bruised to the bone, and do what needs to be done to feed the children. 

It doesn't interest me who you know or how you came to be here. I want to know if you will stand in the center of the fire with me and not shrink back. 

It doesn't interest me where or what or with whom you have studied. I want to know what sustains you, from the inside, when all else falls away. 

I want to know if you can be alone with yourself and if you truly like the company you keep in the empty moments.” 

― Oriah Mountain Dreamer

CHANGE AND START

LAUGH OUT LOUD AT LIFE

Laugh out loud at life. It is good medicine for your heart and spirit. It is a way for you to say "Life ~ I am still standing with my head up high." Laughter strengthens the immune system and increases your capacity to cope. It has the power to heal you at the cellular level. Sometimes all you can do is laugh, even through your tears and pain.

When you are overwhelmed, laugh at your bills, your body, your kids, or at any unexpected challenge of life. This is not denying what is in your life. It is defying it! One minute of anger weakens the immune system for 4-5 hours, while one minute of laughter boosts it for over 24 hours. So try this...make silly faces in the mirror, laugh from down deep and bring out the child in you! Find some popcorn, get a few family, friends together and allow yourself to really laugh. Interrupt your worries and choose to make yourself feel good in spite of it all. You Deserve!

LES BROWN

COMMUNICATION IS A BRIDGE

Communication is a Bridge

When attack happens and separation occurs,
you can bridge it only by communicating
in a non-hostile way.

That is hard to do when you are triggered.
Usually you need to take the time
to understand and own the trigger
before you can make peace with the person
who triggered you.

From Everyday Wisdom by Paul Ferrini
www.paulferrini.com

GET IT DONE SOONER

Get It Done Sooner

Do you want to get the most out of your effort? Then make that effort at the first minute rather than the last minute.

Is there something you’ve been putting off? The longer you procrastinate, the more difficult it will be.

Instead of spending most of your available time worrying that the job is not done, just go ahead and do it. Then you can spend the remaining time free of worry and full of satisfaction that the work is finished.

You’re going to have to do it sooner or later, so do it sooner. Give it your best by getting to it right away.

Use your time and energy to make progress, not to make excuses. Give yourself more good options by getting way out ahead of the deadline.

Want to make your work easier and less stressful? Then go ahead, right now, and get it done, long before you have to.

— Ralph Marston

FIND THE ONES WORTH SUFFERING FOR

“If she's amazing, she won't be easy. If she's easy, she won't be amazing. If she's worth it, you won't give up. If you give up, you're not worthy. ... Truth is, everybody is going to hurt you; you just gotta find the ones worth suffering for.”

― Bob Marley, Guitar Chord Songbook - Bob Marley

COMFORTABLE WITH YOURSELF

MAKE UP YOUR MIND

There is nothing as powerful as a made up mind. Do not give yourself another excuse to put off making up your mind. You know in your heart of hearts that once you do that you have got to act.

You owe it to the world, your family and most importantly, to yourself to live a life of no regrets. Stop worrying about what other people will think, say, or do. You only have one life. LIVE IT now. You have GREATNESS within you!!

LES BROWN

MIRRORS

Mirrors

When two people are judging or blaming
you don't have communication; you have attack.

When you try to fix other people or they try to fix you,
you are probably both projecting.

Each of you will be mirroring to the other
a part of him or herself s/he does not want to look at.

From Everyday Wisdom by Paul Ferrini
www.paulferrini.com

ENTHUSIASTIC ENERGY

Enthusiastic Energy

Activity creates energy. Involvement generates enthusiasm.

If you feel stuck, get up, get yourself moving, and create a change of scenery. If you feel bored or indifferent, make a commitment to make a positive difference for others.

Those who get the most out of life are those who put the most into it. Around every corner are situations where you can make meaningful contributions.

If you expect genuine fulfillment to be served to you on a silver platter, you’ll be sadly disappointed. If you’re cynical or dismayed, there’s much you can do to change your impression.

If you care about life enough to criticize it, then you can care enough to actively improve it. You can transform the power of your dismay and disappointment into energy that will make a positive difference.

Get yourself more active and get yourself more involved. Feel the joy and fulfillment of pointing enthusiastic energy in a positive direction.

— Ralph Marston

"MY ROOTS WILL SET OFF TO ANOTHER LAND"

“Well, now

If little by little you stop loving me

I shall stop loving you

Little by little

If suddenly you forget me

Do not look for me

For I shall already have forgotten you

If you think it long and mad the wind of banners that passes through my life

And you decide to leave me at the shore of the heart where I have roots

Remember

That on that day, at that hour, I shall lift my arms

And my roots will set off to seek another land”

― Pablo Neruda, Selected Poems

BE CONSCIOUS WITH CONDUCTION

GET YOUR HUSTLE ON

Get your hustle on! Do what you were meant to do! Step up your game like never before. Snap out of it! There is more in you, but you have to reach for it and dig deeper to take it to the next level. Stretch your imagination, tap into your creativity and expand your best thinking.

Create collaborative achievement driven GREATNESS

partnerships with people who will compliment your strengths and strengthen your weaknesses. Don't ease up now. Keep the pressure on and work harder to realize your next success story. You have within you!!

LES BROWN

ACCEPTING DIFFERENCES

Accepting Differences

In any relationship there will be times
when you do not agree with your partner.

The question is: how well
do you handle your disagreements?

Is there room in your relationship
for both of you to have differing opinions,
as well as interests and activities that you don’t share?

A relationship that requires total agreement and sharing,
is an unrealistic one.

That is far too much to expect
from any relationship.

From Everyday Wisdom by Paul Ferrini
www.paulferrini.com

POSITIVE AND REALISTIC

Positive and Realistic

Being positive about your prospects will improve your prospects. You’ll be more energetic, more persistent, more effective.

A positive perspective might be justified, or it might not be. In either case, it’s the best choice.

Being positive does not mean you must deny that negative factors exist. Rather, it means you commit yourself to successfully working through those negative influences.

You’ll encounter plenty of challenges pushing back against your efforts. Don’t let your own outlook be one of those challenges.

Though negativity might be the most obvious reaction, it is not in your best interest. You can always choose to be both positive and realistic.

Give yourself the advantage of a positive perspective. No matter how difficult the situation, being positive will put you in the best position to deal with it.

— Ralph Marston

THE LIGHT OF A SINGLE CANDLE

“All the darkness in the world cannot extinguish the light of a single candle.” 

― Francis of Assisi, The Little Flowers of St. Francis of Assisi

START. SIMPLIFY. SERVE.

CHOOSE TO ACT, INSTEAD OF REACTING

Sometimes life steps in and you simply must deal with it. How you see your life, your situation and circumstances that you cannot control or change, is determined by your point of view. Decide to be a positive, loving person.

Choose to act, instead of reacting, especially when surrounded by drama, chaos and stress. You are stronger and more courageous than you may feel at times. You have the power to find peace, acceptance and courage in the worst of circumstances. Take the high road and deal with it. You have GREATNESS within you!


LES BROWN

THE FRUIT OF LABOR

The Fruit of your Labor

Don't have unrealistic expectations
of how or when your needs will be met.

If you ask for an apple, and an apple comes back,
it doesn't mean that you are God's favorite child.

It just means that it's apple season.
Be happy. Celebrate your good fortune.

If you asked for an apple, and you get a banana,
you can have two attitudes.

One is: "At least it's a fruit!"
The other is: "God doesn't like me
because he sent me a banana and I hate bananas."

If you want something bad enough,
getting a banana won't stop you.
But most of us don't know that.

Nine out of ten of us throw the banana back
and then slip on the peel!

Remember, if it's banana season and you need an apple,
you might have to be patient and wait for apple season!

Are you willing to wait?
How much do you really want an apple?
You see, this is completely about you.
It has nothing to do with anyone else!


From Everyday Wisdom by Paul Ferrini
www.paulferrini.com

ACTIVE PARTICIPATION

Active Participation

Don’t let this be a time you look back on with regret for not doing more. Make this a day you recall with satisfaction for all you were able to do.

Even if you don’t particularly feel like making the effort, you can make the effort nonetheless. Even if a dozen obstacles stand in your way, you can step forward and make progress.

Fill the moments with effective action, not lame excuses. Today will only be available to you today, so use it while you can.

Demonstrate your gratitude for the life you treasure by doing something valuable with it. Express your love for all you care about by offering your active support.

You are here right now with knowledge, skills, resources, energy, and a desire to matter. Give yourself and your world something to show for it all.

Your future begins in this moment. Fill it with meaningful richness through your active participation.

— Ralph Marston

YOU HAVE ENOUGH TIME

“Don't say you don't have enough time. You have exactly the same number of hours per day that were given to Helen Keller, Pasteur, Michaelangelo, Mother Teresa, Leonardo da Vinci, Thomas Jefferson, and Albert Einstein.”

― H. Jackson Brown Jr.

BREATHE, RELEASE & REPAIR

THROW CAUTION TO THE WIND

Leap and grow your wings on the way down. Put all your bets on you and on your ability to achieve your goals. Throw caution to the wind!

If you have a catastrophic set-back, know that you have the power to over come it. If you lose a job, you will find another, or create one. If you make some mistakes, learn from them and come back again.

This is a time to use your talents, skills and resourcefulness to make a fundamental change and take your life to the next level. Remind yourself everyday that you are in it to win it. You are your most valuable asset. Do what you need to do to make it happen! You have GREATNESS within you!


LES BROWN

THE REWARDS OF LIFELONG PARTNERSHIP

The Rewards of Lifelong Partnership

As long as there is growth and honesty in a relationship,
it is worthy of our commitment.

That doesn't mean that it's perfect.
Even in the best relationships,
doubts and fears continue to arise.

However, mature couples learn to hold
their doubts and fears with compassion.
They learn to be patient with each other.

In time, the hard shell around their hearts
begins to crack open.

Where fear used to hold them back,
they learn to take baby steps forward.

They learn to stretch out their hands to each other
when one or both of them falter.

They learn to heal together and to trust each other.

And then they experience a gentleness
born of the struggle,
a sweetness born of the pain.

Then there is a twinkle in their eyes
when they look at each other.

It isn’t the same twinkle that was there
when they first met.
It is a different one.
It tells of their journey
through fear and projection
into the heart of acceptance and love.


From Everyday Wisdom by Paul Ferrini
www.paulferrini.com

POWER OF LIFE

Power Of Life

Quiet your thoughts now, take a slow, deep breath and feel life itself. Just feel, without the need to label, the essence that is you.
Allow yourself to feel love for all you love. Allow your vision of life at its best to fill your awareness.
Stay here a moment, and remind yourself, this is what’s important. Pure, authentic life and love are what matter.

Nothing can take the best of you away from you. Through pain, loss, achievement, joy, ups and downs, you still can love all that you love.

In any situation, you can give of yourself to life. You can always make a difference, you can always matter, you can always love.

Remind yourself of the good, unique power that is your own life. Remind yourself now to point that power in a worthy, meaningful direction.


— Ralph Marston

YOU RECONCILE ALL BEINGS IN THE WORLD

“Simplicity, patience, compassion.

These three are your greatest treasures.

Simple in actions and thoughts, you return to the source of being.

Patient with both friends and enemies,

you accord with the way things are.

Compassionate toward yourself,

you reconcile all beings in the world.”

― Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching

DESIRE FOR CERTAINTY

DO NOT SETTLE FOR A PLACE AT THE BACK OF THE LINE

Do not settle!! It is not in your spirit. Do not settle for living someone else's life, or for believing that you should just survive. What you do to live and what you do to survive are two different things! Choose to live..really live. Playing small is not who you are!

You are called to live a GREATER life!! Do not settle for a place at the back of the line. You are more than able. You are a conqueror. You can come through this and have your dream. You have COMEBACK power!! Because...you have something special. You have GREATNESS within you!


LES BROWN

LETTING GO

Letting Go

When something in your life is not working,
you try to fix it. Then, if that doesn't work,
you may pretend for a while that it's fixed
even though you know it isn't.

Finally, you realize that your heart
just isn't in the job or the relationship.
That's when you are ready to let go of it.

Letting go is an act of substantial courage.
There is always some degree of pain
in the release of someone or something
that once brought you joy and happiness.

You will have to be patient and mourn the loss.
But when your mourning is over,
you will see things differently.

As the old dies, the new is born.
The phoenix rises from the ashes of destruction.
If you stay centered in your life
while the fire burns around you,
opportunities you never could have dreamed of
will begin to reveal themselves.


From Everyday Wisdom by Paul Ferrini
www.paulferrini.com

GET THE WORK DONE

Get The Work Done

Every effort you make, makes the goal feel more achievable. Celebrate each small victory by immediately going to work on the next one.

Every step you take creates more motivation to take the next step. If you don’t feel motivated to work, the very best thing you can do is get to work.

You are in control of what you do from moment to moment. Choose over and over again to exercise that control wisely.

Benefit your life by putting effective effort into it. Expand the richness of your whole world by giving your time, your thought, your focus, your action to make a difference.

Feel your feelings, enjoy them, learn from them, but don’t let them imprison you in complacency. Whether you feel like it or not, it’s in your best interest to make the effort.

Decide not to let the distractions, setbacks or excuses stop you. Get going, get the work done, and discover again how great it feels.


— Ralph Marston

IT'S GOT TO HAPPEN INSIDE FIRST

“The most important kind of freedom is to be what you really are. You trade in your reality for a role. You trade in your sense for an act. You give up your ability to feel, and in exchange, put on a mask. There can't be any large-scale revolution until there's a personal revolution, on an individual level. It's got to happen inside first.”

― Jim Morrison

THREE TIMES IS A DECISION

PUSH FORWARD - IN SPITE OF

It is time to shift into second gear, and to pull out all the stops. There is still a lot of year left in which you can make some great things happen.

Reach deep down within and lunge forward toward your dream. Develop a stronger drive and determination to reach your goals...IN SPITE OF...in spite of circumstances, finances, or odds that might be working against you. Affirm to yourself that you are more powerful and talented than you give yourself credit for being. Give it all you've got ~ push forward...be creative, relentless, and unstoppable! You deserve!


LES BROWN

 

WALKING THROUGH CLOSED DOORS

Walking through Closed Doors

Even if you don't know why a door is closed,
at least respect the fact that it is closed
and don't struggle with the doorknob.

If the door was open, you would know it.
Wanting it to be open does not make it open.

Much of the pain in your life happens
when you attempt to walk through closed doors
or try to put square pegs into round holes.

You try to hold onto someone who is ready to go,
or you try to get somebody to do something
before s/he is ready.

Instead of accepting what is and working with it,
you interfere with it and try to manipulate it
to meet your perceived needs.

Obviously, this doesn't work.
It just creates strife for yourself and others.

From Everyday Wisdom by Paul Ferrini
www.paulferrini.com

WHEN FIGHTING STOPS

When Fighting Stops

Progress happens when fighting stops. Accept this moment, these conditions, the people around you, and move forward.

Change is essential, unavoidable, and positive change is the result of a positive perspective. Rather than fighting against what is, work to transform it into something more beneficial for everyone.

Life is not perfect, and will never be. Yet within the imperfection is great beauty, much power, value and fulfillment.

You won’t find a perfect solution to every problem, yet you can successfully address each problem. Get good things done not by striving to make everything perfect, but by working around the imperfections.

Enjoy the moment without trying to force the joy. Let it be what it is, and feel the immense power of not having to fight it.

It is by gracefully joining in life’s flow that you can offer your own positive influence. Practice acceptance, and point all your power in a good and useful direction.


— Ralph Marston

IT'S THE WAY YOU CARRY IT

“It's not the load that breaks you down, it's the way you carry it.”

― Lou Holtz

LIFT OTHERS UP & RISE

WE NEED YOU NOW

THERE IS A PRESENCE WITHIN YOU WHERE YOU CAN FIND JOY

There is a force in you that is more powerful than the negative people, circumstances or environment you find yourself. Make a conscious deliberate effort to keep your mind above all the toxic conversations, attitudes and stressful atmosphere surrounding you. Guard your mind by immersing yourself in positive words, scriptures, music; as well as self-affirming healing conversations that will drown out the negative voices within your own mind. Watch my Youtube videos daily, they will empower you and give you the inner strength and inspiration to grow through whatever you are up against.

Create a ritual of prayer, meditation, exercise, yoga, Tai-Chi, volunteering of your time, or whatever methods you can use that will protect you from the drama, emotional vampires and energy drainers that will try to rob you of your peace.
There is a Presence within you where you can find joy, comfort, and inner strength to give you the capacity to handle whatever you are facing. You have GREATNESS within you!


LES BROWN

STOPPING

Stopping

When it is clear that something isn’t working,
stop doing it.

Stop putting your energy into it.
Step back and away from it.

Detach. Let go.
If you don’t stop,
you will make the situation worse than it is.


From Everyday Wisdom by Paul Ferrini
www.paulferrini.com

DO WHAT IS BEST

Do What Is Best

What do you do when you feel like nothing you do is appreciated? Continue with what you know is best, for even when no one else seems to care, it matters that you care.

Don’t let anyone steal your values or your self-esteem. Do what you know is best, no matter what response you get.

If you think no one notices, you’re mistaken. You notice, and that makes an enormous difference.

The purpose of doing good is not to look good, not to impress anyone. Do what is right because it is right, and feel the inner peace, the inner strength it brings.

Ultimately, integrity wins. Truth and goodness cannot be denied for long.

Do what is best, but not for show. Do what is right, what is best, because your precious life deserves nothing less from you.

— Ralph Marston

SIMPLY BECAUSE...

“I was smiling yesterday,I am smiling today and I will smile tomorrow. Simply because life is too short to cry for anything.”

― Santosh Kalwar, Quote Me Everyday

BELIEVE IN YOUR ABILITY TO FIGURE THINGS OUT

DO YOU SIT IN THE SIDELINES OF YOUR LIFE?

Are you a spectator in your own life? Do you sit on the sidelines planning, thinking, trying, but never fully doing? How many days have been paved with good intentions but no follow-through?

Today, choose to believe in and explore the power of your own engagement. This means to fully connect to your calling and passion in life. Lean into it. Pursue it every day ~ despite the distractions in your life, or in spite of any perceived limitations. Decide to live far beyond any past regrets or future excuses. DETERMINE to find a way or make a way. GO FOR IT!! Choose to be unstoppable in pursuit of your GREATEST life!


LES BROWN

CHANGING COMMITMENT

Changing Commitment

When someone ceases to be committed to a relationship,
a shift takes place. Energy is withdrawn
from one direction and placed in a new direction.

You can argue about whether it is right or wrong
that someone's commitment changes,
but it won't do you any good.

You cannot prevent other people
from going forward in their growth,
even if you don't agree with their decisions.

If you look deeply enough, you will see
that every apparent "loss" you experience
brings an unexpected gain.
When one person leaves a relationship
that is not growing into deeper intimacy,
the other person is set free too.


From Everyday Wisdom by Paul Ferrini
www.paulferrini.com

THANKFUL NO MATTER WHAT

Thankful No Matter What

Whatever you are thankful for gains value from your thankfulness. Whatever you appreciate becomes more useful and accessible by virtue of your appreciation.

You get much more from life when you appreciate what you already have. That’s true for relationships, resources, skills, situations, and experiences.

The circumstances hardest to appreciate are where appreciation can make the greatest positive difference. Find a way to appreciate, and you find your way to new value.

Goodness comes into your life in countless forms. Gratitude takes you to the heart of goodness, no matter how it appears on the outside.

It’s easy to be thankful for the pleasant things, and certainly a good idea to do so. Yet it is even more empowering and transformative to be thankful for all the other things.

Find a way to be thankful, no matter what. You’ll find new value each time you do.


— Ralph Marston

BEWARE OF THE DANGER BUT RECOGNIZE THE OPPORTUNITY

“The Chinese use two brush strokes to write the word 'crisis.' One brush stroke stands for danger; the other for opportunity. In a crisis, be aware of the danger--but recognize the opportunity.”

― John F. Kennedy

THE NEXT STEP IS STILL OUR CHOICE

KEEP THE MAIN THING THE MAIN THING

Focus on positive choices that move you closer to your dream. Make a conscious and deliberate effort to do at least one thing every day that represents the highest and the best in you. Keep in mind, this is going to be your greatest year ever!

Do not allow yourself or anyone else to sabotage you. Stay on track. Refuse to lower your guard or to be pulled off course. Keep the main thing the main thing. Honor yourself by keeping your word to yourself. Everything matters. It is your time to achieve your dream. You have the POWER! You have GREATNESS within you!


LES BROWN

WAITING FOR DIRECTION

Waiting for Direction

The best results occur when we stop trying
to force things to be the way
we think they should be.

When we try to force something to be different,
we often overcompensate
and create a new problem.

Sometimes it is better to just stop doing
what we know is not working
and take some time to re-center
and reconnect with the core truth within us.

Then the course of action we set
will be more organic, congruent, and meaningful.

We all need time to breathe and to be.
It’s a sacred time, a time when we gather
our power and our direction.

If we don’t take this time,
we may act prematurely or impulsively.
Our actions may lack creative power
or they may result in unfortunate consequences
we did not anticipate.


From Everyday Wisdom by Paul Ferrini
www.paulferrini.com