Saturday, December 14, 2013

Unwelcome interruptions

You have great plans, and yet life is always getting in the way. You intensely wish to move forward, but all sorts of things seem to constantly interrupt and impede that movement.But do those unexpected and unwelcome interruptions really have to hold you back? The fact is, you don’t have to let them.Sure, you must regularly deal with the urgent, pressing matters that come your way. But that doesn’t mean those unwelcome interruptions have to take over your life.Instead of seeing those interruptions as negative, distracting influences, you can just as realistically choose to see them as positive, empowering opportunities. Just because they weren’t in your plans doesn’t mean they have to upset your plans.Decide that there’s something positive to be found, and you’ll find something positive in anything. Decide that the interruptions won’t really interrupt you, but will in fact provide you with additional ways to move forward, and that’s exactly what will happen.Learn to welcome, embrace and empower yourself with the unexpected interruptions. They’re always going to come, so make the choice to make them work in your favor.— Ralph Marston

One man considers one day more sacred than another; another man considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind.—Romans 14:5

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

 Do yourself a big favor

You don’t have to beg or wish or hope for favors from others. You can do yourself a big favor today.You can use the moments of this day, the moments available to you right now, to create value. You can choose to take the specific actions that will bring new, meaningful richness to your world.Even though you may be burdened with challenges, obligations, limitations, frustrations and other factors pushing against you, still you can move forward. You can choose to achieve something valuable in spite of whatever might be working against you.What really matters is not your situation, but your attitude, your intentions and your commitment to make positive things happen. When you’re truly committed to making progress, you will find a way.Reach into your most sincere, authentic self and connect with what matters most to you. Have the courage to admit what you love, and to do something about it.Do yourself a big favor and live this day with purpose, intention, passion and relentless energy. You can do it, and you’ll feel amazing when you do.— Ralph Marston

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.—John 3:16

Monday, December 9, 2013

 Start the ball rolling

Motivation leads to action, and action leads to more motivation. If you’re not motivated to do anything, do a little something anyway and start the ball rolling.Even the smallest positive step can begin to create positive momentum. Take that small step, feel the tiny wisp of motivation and momentum, and let it carry you to the next modest step.Even if it doesn’t seem to accomplish anything, a small, initial positive action does in fact achieve something of great consequence. It gets you going.Once you’re in motion, you’re much more likely to stay in motion. The longer you stay in motion, the more likely you are to keep going.The best thing to do when you don’t feel like doing anything, is to do something. Remind yourself that although you may be severely unmotivated, you can take a small action anyway.No matter what your situation or level of motivation may be, there’s some little something you can do. Do it now, get the ball rolling, and let the power of positive momentum push you forward.— Ralph Marston

From the LORD comes deliverance. May your blessing be on your people.—Psalm 3:8

Thursday, December 5, 2013

The moment when you can

Now is the most important time in your life, because now is the time you can do something about. Now is your most powerful moment, because now is when you can exercise the power of your intention.Don’t waste this powerful moment complaining about the past or worrying about the future. Invest your time, this time right now, in living with purpose, passion, creativity, effectiveness and joy.This is not a time to be timid or vengeful, angry or disappointed. This is your time to find sweet fulfillment in using your wisdom and your efforts to make a difference.It doesn’t really matter what’s been happening lately, or whether you’ve been falling behind or speeding ahead. Now is a valuable new moment, filled with new possibilities, ready for you to live with all you have.Now is jam-packed full of great opportunity. Grab some of that opportunity, right here, right now, and do something beautiful and meaningful with it.You are here, this moment is here, the possibilities are here, and you can immediately start to transform those possibilities into fulfilling reality. This is the moment when you can, so do.— Ralph Marston

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped...—Philippians 2:5-6

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Give purpose to this day

To get the most out of this day, give it a purpose. Instead of just taking whatever comes, experience this day the way you choose to experience it.If this day has no clear purpose, then you’re likely to be tossed around by all the random things that happen. Yet when you’ve made a firm commitment to a specific result, your focused direction will enable you to rise above the distractions and diversions.If you’re standing still, wondering what to do next, the obstacles will push you back. Yet when you’re already moving forward and you encounter obstacles, your momentum will help carry you through them.Give this day a purpose that will excite you, motivate you, ignite your passion and compel you to get moving. Give yourself something good and meaningful to show for the time you spend living this day.When the next step is clear, you’re much more likely to take it. When you’ve decided exactly what is to be done, you’re much more likely to do it.There is enormous positive potential in this very day. Give this day a purpose, and claim some of the great value it offers.— Ralph Marston

I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.—Romans 1:16

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

Choose a positive response

No matter what happens, you can respond in whatever way you choose. So make your response the most positive one for every person it affects.There’s nothing to be gained by adding more negativity on top of negativity. You have the opportunity to break the pattern.Instead of responding to anger with more anger, challenge yourself to respond with understanding and compassion. When you’re tempted to respond with frustration, make the more positive choice to respond with patience.For your world to be a more positive place, you must take responsibility for putting more positive energy into it. Though a positive response may be the more difficult one, it is also the more valuable choice in the long run.Rather than choosing a response based on what has happened, choose your response based on the direction you wish to go. Even when life has let you down, your best choice is a positive response that creates a more positive future.Each response to life is an opportunity to make progress. Choose a positive response, again and again, and create a much more positive world.— Ralph Marston

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel" — which means, "God with us."—Matthew 1:22-23