Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Do this day right

Do this day right by getting it off to a good start. Do this day right by giving it a meaningful, positive purpose.You have precisely one opportunity to discover and to live the unique value of this day. Get started on it right now.Get started strong, and keep going with enthusiasm and love for the possibilities. Decide that you will do something truly great with this day, and then enjoy doing it.Remember that every moment is a choice, and all those choices add together to determine the quality of your day. Choose wisely, choose intentionally, and choose to add great richness and meaning to your world today.The immense value of this day is yours right now. Make good and purposeful use of it so that tomorrow you’ll have no regrets.Do this day right by living it with love, joy and authenticity. Do this day right by bringing its outstanding possibilities fully to life.— Ralph Marston

Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, "If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all."—Mark 9:35

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

When the challenges are great

When the challenges are great, so are the rewards. If the journey is long, there is much value to be gained in making it.When people criticize what you’re doing, it means you’re making a difference. When you keep encountering obstacles, it means you’re moving forward.Just because you experience life’s difficulties is not a reason to be dismayed. Keep in mind that the more solidly you’re making progress the more resistance you’ll feel.Feel the resistance, and realize that the very fact you’re feeling it push against you means you’re pushing forward through it. Feel the palpable sense of progress, and keep going.Just on the other side of challenge is achievement. Just on the other side of the obstacle you’re facing is your next step on the path forward.Persist through one challenge, and another, and another. You’ll emerge as a much stronger person, having created great new value in your world.— Ralph Marston

God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship him in spirit and in truth.—John 4:24

Inspiration for my wife on her birthday

Making the effort

When you don’t feel like making the effort, the thing that will help you more than anything else is to go ahead and make that effort. Even when you are too tired or too bored, too distracted or too dismayed, the way out is to get busy and put forth effort.Wishing for things to be better won’t make things better. What will make things better is taking positive, focused action.Making excuses won’t make things right. The way forward is to make a real difference by making a real effort.Just because it’s difficult, uncomfortable and inconvenient, doesn’t mean it’s impossible. You have what it takes to take effective action, and that is a powerfully positive thing to do.Instead of wasting your priceless time with procrastination, make good use of the time that’s now yours. Spend that time making a meaningful difference.What you get out of life depends on what you get out of yourself. Make the effort, again and again, and give much more beautiful and meaningful life to all of life.— Ralph Marston

Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.—Ephesians 6:12-13

Saturday Success

Lift your thoughts high

You can think whatever you choose, so choose to think highly of yourself. You’re capable of much more than you yet know, so find some more of your unique greatness and bring it to life.While you’re at it, remember to also think highly of others. The way to bring out the best in people is to sincerely expect it.Think highly of life itself. Consider what an amazing opportunity each day represents, and do all you can to live up to its beautiful potential.Think highly of whatever circumstances you find yourself in. Instead of complaining or fearing, use your powerful mind to dig out the best path forward and then use your efforts to follow that path.Think highly of the future. Rather than worrying about what might come, focus your thoughts and your actions on making the very best of what does come.Whenever you think, make the choice to think highly. Lift your thoughts high, and your whole world will be lifted.— Ralph Marston

Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things.—Philippians 4:8

Friday, January 24, 2014

Making adjustments

Success is never achieved in a straight line. Although it’s great to carefully put together workable, realistic plans, life doesn’t always go according to plan.Yet even when conditions change quickly and dramatically, success is still possible. To succeed in such a world as this, you must be willing to constantly adapt.When something fails to go the way you planned, it’s not the end of the world. In fact, things could eventually turn out to be even better than you planned.Regardless of what happens or fails to happen, you can choose to successfully work it into your path forward. Instead of making judgments about what you cannot control, make adjustments in those things you can control.It might be nice if everything were to play out according to your plan, but the thing is, it won’t. There will most certainly be surprises, so you might as well find a way to make positive use of them.Don’t give up on your goals or dreams just because things change. Adapt, make adjustments, and make every turn of events move you forward.— Ralph Marston

If someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.—Galatians 6:1

Thursday, January 23, 2014

 Life energy

You don’t need to get more energy. Simply make more meaningful use of the life energy that is already yours.Instead of wasting your precious, powerful energy on negativity, apply it toward living with joy and fulfillment. There is plenty of energy in your life, and you can choose to make positive use of it.Each day brings new opportunities to focus your energy on lifting your world higher. Every turn of events brings you the chance to make good and loving use of your life energy.If you feel continually weary, take that as a cue to seriously reconsider where your energy is focused. To experience more joy and fulfillment, invest your energy in being authentically joyful and positively purposeful.You have the energy to create, to love, to heal and to bring beautiful new meaning to life in each moment. Feel the possibilities that come flowing to you with life’s energy, and enthusiastically follow the best of them.Continue to point your energy in the direction of the beautiful life you have chosen to live. And continue to transform that abundant energy into true fulfillment.— Ralph Marston

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.—James 1:5

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Always give the best

In order to experience the best life has to offer, you must give the best of who you are. There is no other way.True fulfillment does not ever come from possessions, relationships or experiences alone. Fulfillment comes from what you do to put real substance and meaning into what you have.The success you desire in life does not depend on the image you’re able to project. Success is a result of the authenticity with which you live your life in every moment.If you attempt to cheat life, the best you can hope to get are mere tokens of success. You deserve much more than that.So go ahead and put in the effort and commitment necessary to make each day truly meaningful. Do the work to be honest, creative, productive and generous in your own unique way.Give your best to life every chance you get. And what you’ll get in return is a life that’s rich and full and increasingly satisfying.— Ralph Marston

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened."—Matthew 7:7-8

Midday Motivation

←The Three Week DietA man says to a friend, “My wife is on a three-week diet.”“Oh, yeah? How much has she lost so far?” asks his pal.He replies, “Two weeks.”

People often say that motivation doesn't last. Well, neither does bathing - that's why we recommend it daily - Zig Zigler

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Immense bounty

Remind yourself right now, and often again, how good you have it. The more you’re aware of how good you have it, the better it all gets.You are capable beyond anything you have yet imagined. You have access to resources you don’t yet even know are there.The way to make better use of the immense bounty in your life is to more fully appreciate it. Be amazed at how good you have it, and you’ll become even more amazed at all the great things you can do.All sorts of dangers, limitations, disappointments and shortcomings may forcefully and dramatically demand your attention. Don’t neglect such problems, but don’t make them the centerpiece of your awareness either.Instead, see all the negative aspects of life from the larger perspective of your positive possibilities. Know without a doubt how truly good you have it, and you’ll naturally take every problem in stride.Remember always how good you have it. And you’ll keep yourself always in a position of great strength.— Ralph Marston

Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit will reap eternal life."—Galatians 6:7-8

Monday, January 20, 2014

Nothing to be afraid of

Failure is nothing to be afraid of. Highly successful people experience it all the time, and they do just fine.What will hold you back is not failure. What will hold you back is doing nothing because you fear failure.Say what you authentically believe, without worrying about whether or not you’re saying the right thing. Express what you truly feel, without being concerned about what others will think.And by all means, take action, without fretting or procrastinating or fearing what might or might not happen. Prepare yourself as best you know how, make sensible, well-informed choices, and then get busy doing it.Sometimes, the result won’t be to your liking. But you can deal with that, and you’ll never know what works and what doesn’t until you step forward and act.The way to succeed at anything is to take action even though failure is a definite possibility. Push yourself constantly forward into action, and make a beautiful, unique difference in life.— Ralph Marston

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.—James 1:2-3

Weekend Boost

Always continue the climb. It is possible for you to do whatever you choose, if you first get to know who you are and are willing to work with a power that is greater than ourselves to do it.

Ella Wheeler Wilcox 

Friday, January 17, 2014

Feel the goodness

There’s something good in your world right now. Allow yourself to see it.Peacefully, calmly focus on feeling that goodness. Make it a part of you.At any time, in any circumstance, whatever your condition may be, there’s much for which to be thankful. Feel the gratitude in the deepest part of your being.Make the good things more prominent in your awareness. That will make the undesirable things much smaller and less powerful.See your life in this moment in terms of those things you value and embrace. See the world in terms of the good things to which you can give your energy and your love.There is very real goodness right here and now. See it, feel it, relish it and move it forward.— Ralph Marston

Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life.—Philippians 2:14-16

Thursday, January 16, 2014

Whatever you think

If you think the whole world is against you, it might as well be true. If you think there’s a way to move successfully forward, you will find that way.What you think about life plays a major role in the way your life unfolds. Whatever you think is going to happen will inform and influence each action you take, so that much of what you think does indeed happen.If you think the task in front of you will be a tedious, boring chore, that’s what it will be. If you think the job will give you a unique opportunity to express yourself and create new value, it certainly will.No matter what the reality of your life may be, you can choose exactly what to think about it. The more things you think about in a positive light, the more positive outcomes you will create.If you generate thoughts of worry, criticism and complaint, you will end up creating even more things to worry, criticize and complain about. If you focus your thoughts on how to allow, encourage and enrich, you’ll find much more richness appearing in your life.The thoughts you choose to think and hold are the same thoughts that influence every moment of your life. Choose wisely, and live magnificently.— Ralph Marston

Live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.—Galatians 5:16

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Purpose and fulfillment

You cannot do it all, and you wouldn’t really want to. Yet you can do what’s truly important.

There’s nothing to be gained from merely being busy. There are all sorts of wonderful things to be achieved by being purposeful.

So very many demands are placed on you by the world and all its systems and all its technology. That makes it more important than ever to make your own choice as to what really matters.

Just because something is urgent doesn’t mean it makes a difference. Just because something is colorful, exciting, trendy and enticing doesn’t mean it will add value to your life.

Step back from the glittery commotion and remind yourself of who you are. Remind yourself of what you truly love, of what really matters to you.

Plenty of things that seem important at first glance will quickly turn out not to be, so let them go. All the while, hold steady to what truly matters and build a life of purpose and fulfillment.

— Ralph Marston

Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

—John 8:31-32

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Lumpy richness

There will be pleasure and pain, triumphs and regrets. Embrace it all as it comes, make the best of it, and move steadily forward.

Disappointments will come, and then new opportunities will soon appear. Each day, each season will have its share of ups and downs, beginnings and endings.

Life is wonderfully rich, and yet that richness is not creamy and smooth like a chocolate milkshake. Life’s richness is highly lumpy and inconsistent, and that’s what makes it so magnificent.

You’re much more able to fully treasure the good times when you’ve been through difficulties. The victories taste so much sweeter after a string of defeats.

Just remember as you go along that it’s all part of the richness. Just as night gives value to day which in turn gives value to night, all life’s experiences mesh together in a truly sumptuous adventure.

On this day, in this moment, it is all yours to take in. Whatever may come, treasure the richness in all its lumpiness, now and always.

— Ralph Marston

If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother."

—1 John 4:20-21

Monday, January 6, 2014

The time it will take

You cannot turn the corner until you get to it. In order to create a breakthrough, you must lay the groundwork for it.

Real value is built with time, effort and commitment. Don’t cheat yourself out of that value by demanding instant results.

When you’re moving in a positive direction, enjoy the ride and give it the time it takes. Even though the fulfillment is not yet complete, you can already begin to experience it.

Don’t be afraid of the time it will take to make real progress. Be thankful for the opportunity to make an increasingly valuable difference as time goes on.

There is great joy to be found in meaningful effort. The longer and more committed the effort is, the more joy you are able to experience.

Cheerfully give yourself and your work the time it takes. Choose a worthy destination, and treasure every step of the journey.

— Ralph Marston