ANY FOOL CAN BE HAPPY.

“Any fool can be happy. It takes a man with real heart to make beauty out of the stuff that makes us weep.” 

― Clive Barker, Days of Magic, Nights of War

POSITIVE OPTIONS

Positive Options

Instead of worrying about the worst that could happen, accept that it could indeed happen. Then put positive energy into making sure it doesn’t, or positioning yourself to successfully deal with things if it does.

Sure, you have perfectly valid concerns about the future. But don’t let those concerns prevent you from taking action.

Now is not the time to panic or give up. Now is when you can work to give yourself positive options.

The sooner you accept that there could eventually be a problem, the more power you have in dealing with it. You can strengthen yourself, or get out of the way, or implement countless other strategies to ensure a positive future.

Worrying, complaining, feeling sad or sorry for yourself won’t do you any good. Choose instead to be realistic, putting thought, energy and action into creating the best outcome.

Focus on the good things you can do right now, to prepare, to grow stronger, to prosper. Face the future with courage and with the commitment to create positive options no matter what may come.

— Ralph Marston

FORGIVE YOURSELF AND MOVE ON

Forgive yourself and move on. Release the need to rehash, review or relive what you could have, should have or would have done. Instead, be aware of what you learned about yourself.

Look at what the situation showed you that you were unwilling to see. Forgive yourself...despite your choices, actions or inaction and in spite of your lack of knowledge or misplaced trust. There may be consequences and responsibilities that you must face.

Avoidance and denial are poor substitutes for decisive action. Stop swinging at yourself with a super-sized bat. Put it down, pick yourself up, dust yourself off and know this..you will learn to trust yourself again, despite what you may be feeling now. Be gentle on yourself. Choose to be stronger, wiser, more courageous, determined, and committed to living in the present and building a brighter future for yourself. Remember, you have something special. You have GREATNESS within you!!

LES BROWN

LISTEN TO THE WHISPERS OF YOUR SOUL

DANCE, DANCE, DANCE

“Dance, when you're broken open. Dance, if you've torn the bandage off. Dance in the middle of the fighting. Dance in your blood. Dance when you're perfectly free.”

― Rumi

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

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

 

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

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

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

FINISH THIS YEAR STRONG

LIVE WITH INTENTION

Live With Intention

The distractions distract you not because of their power, but because of your weakness to resist. Intention eliminates that weakness.

When you’re clear about what’s important, you don’t have to be bothered by what’s not. When you’re committed to a specific result, distractions bounce right off you.

Ask yourself this and insist on a detailed answer. What do you intend to do today?

Your life is too important to let it be controlled by people you don’t even know. Your time is too precious to waste on things that have no meaning.

Today is filled with opportunities to create value, satisfaction, fulfillment. Instead of getting pulled in a hundred meaningless directions, choose your path and stay on it.

Live this day with respect and appreciation for the beautiful, unique life that’s yours. Live this day with intention.

— Ralph Marston

JUST BECAUSE

THE MOTIVATION MANIFESTO by Brendon Burchard

"All progress comes from small acts that gather momentum. So no matter how small you start, start something that matters."

Brendon Burchard

SUFFERING IS OPTIONAL

“Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional.”

― Haruki Murakami, What I Talk About When I Talk About Running

YOU ARE STRONGER THAN YOU THINK YOU ARE

You are stronger than you think you are. It does not matter what you are facing...a lost relationship, job, bankruptcy, foreclosure, health challenge or financial situation. You have the power in you to create it all over again from scratch. It does not matter how old you are. Do not beat yourself up. It is natural to feel sorry for yourself or feel frightened and want to give up. It does not even matter if the people that you thought would have your back have deserted you. You are still breathing. You are still here and you have the power to win.

You are more powerful than you think you are. Remind yourself of this. Stand up within yourself. Gather your mental, emotional and spiritual strength. Speak from deep within your spirit and your soul. Take back your power Say..."I will survive. I will thrive. I am coming back. Giving up is not who I am. I will stay the course, and persist until I succeed." You might have to do this while down on your knees, praying, crying, screaming at the top of your lungs. Resist the feeling of being overwhelmed, powerless or being a victim. You will survive and thrive again!!! You have something special. You have GREATNESS within you!


LES BROWN

I CAN DO HARD

It is hard. it's hard changing your life. It's hard picking up the pieces and starting all over again. It's hard getting your mind together after you have gone through a life shaking experience (being a primary caregiver for someone; hearing a diagnosis you didn't want; starting over again from a loss of any kind; being alone in a new place; wanting a friend.) But you can do hard. You can weather the storm. You will come through this.

Affirm to yourself every day ~ several times a day. No matter how hard it gets...I am going to make it!! Stand up and look yourself in the eyes..and say "I can do hard!!" Exercise, pray, seek solitude, allow for periods of sadness...but know that you will get through this. Keep the faith; continue to work; and expect to make it through. You may not be able to change your circumstances or situation...but you can change yourself! Hold on..You can do hard! You have GREATNESS within you!


LES BROWN

PUT THINGS IN PERSPECTIVE

Regardless of what challenge you are facing right now, know that it has not come to stay. It has come to pass. During these times, do what you can with what you have, and ask for help if needed. Most importantly ~ never surrender. Put things in perspective. Take care of yourself. Find ways to replenish your energy, strengthen your faith, and fortify yourself from the inside out.

There is a power in you that is stronger than anything that you are facing. Go within. Tap into this power. Know that you will find courage, strength and resolve to go through any valley experiences. You have something special. You have GREATNESS within you!


LES BROWN

"PROMISE YOURSELF"

“Promise Yourself

To be so strong that nothing

can disturb your peace of mind.

To talk health, happiness, and prosperity

to every person you meet.

To make all your friends feel

that there is something in them

To look at the sunny side of everything

and make your optimism come true.

To think only the best, to work only for the best,

and to expect only the best.

To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others

as you are about your own.

To forget the mistakes of the past

and press on to the greater achievements of the future.

To wear a cheerful countenance at all times

and give every living creature you meet a smile.

To give so much time to the improvement of yourself

that you have no time to criticize others.

To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear,

and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.

To think well of yourself and to proclaim this fact to the world,

not in loud words but great deeds.

To live in faith that the whole world is on your side

so long as you are true to the best that is in you.” 

― Christian D. Larson, Your Forces and How to Use Them