Tuesday, September 26, 2006

Possibilities of now

Do you realize the incredible possibilities of now?

Whatever may have come before, now you can transform it into anything you wish.

Whatever limitations may have held you back, now you have the opportunity to move past those limitations. Now, in this moment, you can act, you can learn, you can think, you can make a difference.

Now, you can change things. You can grow and improve on what already is.

You can create something that has never existed before. You can behold and give joy to the magnificent beauty that surrounds you.

Now is when the timeless treasures that live in your heart can find new and fresh expression. Now provides the space and substance for you to give life to your dreams.

Now is where your whole life has come. Now is your place to richly and joyfully be.

-- Ralph Marston

Friday, September 29, 2006

Stronger challenges

Do the challenges you face seem to be getting more daunting? Most likely that means you're making real progress.

The challenges have grown stronger precisely because you've reached a higher level of effectiveness. In meeting those challenges you'll create a path forward where none existed before.

With what level of challenge are you willing to live? That will determine the level of accomplishment you reach.

Working through the biggest challenges will bring you the biggest rewards. Real and lasting value is created by solving the most difficult problems.

With each challenge you grow stronger. And then an even greater challenge comes along, giving you the opportunity to climb ever higher.

Diligently work through a few challenges, and soon you'll find yourself looking forward to them. See the real value in challenge, and you'll see the way clear to whatever you choose to accomplish.

-- Ralph Marston

Life reflects back

Though you cannot control the actions of others, you can have a significant influence on how they act toward you. Set a positive tone, and the people around you will pick up on it.

Be respectful, and you will in turn be respected. Be honest, be truthful, and you greatly increase the likelihood that you will be told the truth by others.

Offer a smile each chance you get, and you'll receive more smiles in return. Project a pleasant, helpful attitude, and that is the attitude with which you'll often be met.

Genuinely expect the best of others, and they will do all they can to live up to your expectations. Listen with interest and attention, seek to truly understand, and what you say will be much better understood.

Give meaningful value, and you'll receive real value in return. Offer your honest opinion, and others will be more upfront with you.

The world is a much more beautiful place when you choose to be beautiful yourself. Go out of your way to shine a positive light, and you'll like what life reflects back at you.

-- Ralph Marston

In case y'all hadn't noticed, I enjoy these little snippets of inspiration & motivation. I try to read something positive & encouraging every single day of my life. I consider them tools.

Anyway. . .

Start where you are

If you want to get something done, then start it. That may sound obvious, yet all too often it is that first step that keeps getting put off for way too long.

If you can't decide on where to start, just start somewhere, with the first thing that comes to mind. You'll be much better able to come up with an effective plan once you get going and get a feel for what you're doing.

Yes, you'll probably make some mistakes and yes, there will certainly be challenges. So get moving and get busy dealing with them right away.

Once you start, the momentum begins to build. Once you start, you'll find a workable way to finish.

Take the first step on a journey, and the next step comes a little more smoothly. As each step prepares the way for the next, your momentum begins to carry much of the load.

The way to get where you want to be is to start from where you are. Now is when you can surely begin to make your best possibilities come to life.

-- Ralph Marston

Monday, October 2, 2006

What is right

Focus your thoughts on what is right with your life. There is so very much that you have to choose from.
Abundance is as close to you as your next thought. A thankful attitude will connect you to that abundance.

There is something of positive value in every moment, every situation, every relationship. Zero in on what's right with life, and that value is yours.

What you expect has a major influence on what you get. Expect to move forward on this day, and you will.

Let the challenges inspire you. Let the possibilities encourage you.

Choose to see and to live what is right with life. Whatever may come, be thankful, and you create much to be truly thankful for.

-- Ralph Marston

Tuesday, October 10, 2006

Keep going

When you've reached the goal you've chosen for yourself, set your sights on an even higher objective. And keep going.

When things have not worked out the way you planned, learn the valuable lessons that the experience has to offer. And keep going.

The key to meaningful achievement is not in how clever you are or how lucky you are or in how much advantage you can gain over others. The key is to keep going.

When other people give you encouragement, insight and assistance, thank them for their help while offering your own special value to in return. And keep going.

When others seek to block your every effort, raise yourself up to where you can clearly see beyond their petty, shortsighted attempts. And keep going.

Whatever may come or go or happen or fail to happen, there is always a way, some way or another, to keep going. You will get wherever you wish to go when you consistently choose, in each moment, to simply, thankfully and gracefully keep going.

-- Ralph Marston

Possibility is a very compelling and creative force for me. I am driven to help people and organizations discover and bring about their limitless possibilities.





I am competent and comfortable when it comes to technical details. Yet I am driven by the big picture, with an approach that goes beyond merely solving problems, to recognizing and exploiting opportunities.

My focus is always on providing value, by using technical tools in the achievement of strategic, bottom-line, business-oriented objectives.

A broad technical competency and depth of real-world business experience, have enabled me to provide value in a variety of challenging roles and assignments.

*to be continued. . .

Tuesday, October 17, 2006

Courage of your convictions

Listen to your critics and learn what you can from them. But don't let them dissuade you from what you know is best.

A bright and shining vision has value only when you have the courage to follow it. When you know that it is the thing to do, then step up and do it.

Pay attention to what others have to say, without becoming a slave to their opinions of you. Consider differing and diverse perspectives, while keeping the substance of your most deeply held values intact.

Much of the effort of achievement is in keeping yourself focused. Choose to intentionally make that effort, to maintain that focus, and all the rest will more readily fall into place.

Though the world may seem to be against you at times, keep in mind that you are working to make that world a better place. Start to show some progress, and others will soon be buying into your vision.

Remember who you are, where you've come from, and the real value of what you have to offer. Then step forward, with renewed courage and commitment, and make it real.

-- Ralph Marston

Fab: I'm in one of those moods, y'all ... so bear with me.

This is called: The Goodness of Life

Click on the link. . .

http://thegoodnessoflife.com/

This is a video from Ralph Marston's website...it's kinda long, so check it out when you have time.

Alright now, y'all. . .

. . .I'm OUT!

Wednesday, October 25, 2006

Picture yourself

Think of yourself not in terms of your problems. Instead, identify yourself with your most promising possibilities.

Think of yourself not in terms of your regrets or disappointments. Instead, consider all the valuable and useful lessons you've learned.

The way you picture yourself has a powerful effect on the reality of your life. And you can picture yourself any way you choose.

Picture yourself expressing the best that is within you. Picture yourself living fully, loving sincerely, giving gladly, and bringing unique value to each moment.

Picture yourself as the joyful, creative and effective person you know you can be. Picture yourself dancing swiftly and successfully past each challenge and limitation.

You hold in your mind a mental picture of yourself. The quality and substance of that picture make all the difference in the actions you take and the results you get.

Make that picture brilliantly superb, and your life will follow right along.

-- Ralph Marston

Friday, October 27, 2006

What surrounds you

The things that surround you can exert a powerful influence on you. And you can use that influence to your advantage.

Surround yourself with positive influences. Let them serve as subtle and constant reminders to be your very best.

Arrange your physical environment so that it encourages and promotes focus and creativity. Choose to spend your time surrounded by things that lift you up.

Get yourself around people who will reinforce the values and goals you consider to be most meaningful. Spend time with people who challenge you to be your best.

Seek out situations that enable you to connect with and fulfill your most deeply held purposes. Learn which surroundings inspire you most, and find a way to spend time in them.

Though it is certainly possible to flourish in spite of your surroundings, life proceeds much more smoothly when your environment exerts a positive influence. Surround yourself with the best you can imagine, and it will start to get to you.

-- Ralph Marston

Sunday, November 11, 2007

Something to appreciate

What's the quickest way out of a negative attitude? Have something ready and waiting that you can immediately and genuinely appreciate.

How do you find the hidden value in any situation? Look for something to truly appreciate.

When you seek to find things to appreciate, what you'll discover are hidden treasures upon which you can build great value. Look for what you can appreciate, and you'll find positive, powerful tools that will pull you forward.

Get in the habit of starting each day by thinking of something for which you can be thankful. Then, whenever you catch yourself falling into a negative thought pattern, you'll already have something positive toward which you can redirect your thoughts.

Each time you meet a new person, make it a point to find something, at the very outset of the relationship, that you can sincerely appreciate. Every time you find yourself in a new place or situation, look first for what you can appreciate about it.

Find something to appreciate, and your effectiveness will increase dramatically. Find something to appreciate, and you'll uncover real treasure.

-- Ralph Marston

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Live on a higher level

When you're constantly on the lookout for limitations, you invite those limitations into your life. Choose instead to allow more of the goodness and wholeness that make life so beautiful and miraculous.

Keep your focus on the positive possibilities, and put your energy into bringing those possibilities to life. When you're busy with creative accomplishment, fewer troubles will be able to find you.

Allow your thoughts and actions to be in harmony with your most cherished values. Fill your moments with sincere expressions of love, gratitude and creativity.

If you see yourself as struggling and striving, you give power to fear, pain and despair. Choose instead to see yourself as making a positive difference, and give your power to the very best things you can imagine.

You never have to live on the level at which everything is a problem or a conflict. You can decide to live on a higher level at which every situation is an opportunity to invoke and to express life's goodness.

In each moment, allow that goodness to stream into your world. With each day, lovingly bring to life the value that is yours to create.

-- Ralph Marston

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Get busy

A small, simple action is infinitely more effective than a big, complicated excuse. Instead of putting your energy into avoiding effort, put that energy into the effort itself, and you'll get something of value in return for it.

There is something right now that needs to be done. Imagine how great it will feel to have it finished, see what a heavy weight will be lifted from you, then get busy and get it done.

In this moment, in this place, you have a valuable opportunity. You can make something happen, and you can make a difference.

Forget about judging whether one task is difficult and another task is easy. Don't be concerned about figuring out what is pleasant and what is unpleasant.

Just take a deep breath, sit up or stand up straight, and with a steady and confident sense of determination, get busy. Soon you'll find yourself moving rapidly toward real and fulfilling accomplishment.

You can worry and complain about how nothing ever gets done, or you can take it upon yourself to make a real and positive difference. The moment for action is now, so get busy and convert this fleeting bit of time into an accomplishment that will bring you value for a long, long time.

-- Ralph Marston

Wednesday, November 21, 2007

Truly impressive

Always know that what other people think of you is their own concern, not yours. Do what you know is right, and fully accept that others will think what they will think.

Certainly it is valuable to make a good impression. Keep in mind, though, that the best way to make a good impression is not to worry endlessly about what others think.

The way to make the best impression is to be authentic. Allow the goodness that is within you to shine through your genuine courtesy, kindness, respect and consideration.

By caring so much about receiving validation from others, you prevent yourself from getting it. Instead, share your real value with those around you and that value will be clear for all to see.

Don't waste your time and effort keeping up appearances. Put your attention and energy into real solid substance, and your appearance will take care of itself.

The more you strive to make a good impression, the less successful you'll be at doing so. Just relax and be yourself, and you'll be truly and authentically impressive.

-- Ralph Marston

Monday, November 26, 2007

Life's little annoyances

Don't let a relatively small setback ruin an otherwise beautiful day. Choose instead to take it in stride and quickly get back to being positive, productive and effective.

Don't waste your time being outraged or offended by someone else's careless, inconsiderate remark or gesture. Use the opportunity to strengthen your valuable sense of patience, and move on ahead to something that truly matters.

Life's little annoyances can quickly add up to have a big negative and destructive impact if you let them. Fortunately, you don't have to let them.

Instead, you can choose to let them go. You can decide to see the small, relatively meaningless annoyances for what they are, and move quickly beyond them.

Do you really want your attitude to be held hostage by rude, careless, inconsiderate people or random events beyond your control? Of course not, because within you is a positive purpose that is big and beautiful and filled with real meaning.

Each time one of life's little annoyances comes along, let it just keep on going right past you until it fades away into its own insignificance. You have plenty of much more positive and valuable things upon which to focus your attention.

-- Ralph Marston

Re: "Life's little annoyances."

Word.

quote:

Originally posted by Santana St. Cloud:
Re: "Life's little annoyances."

Word.

Tuesday, November 27, 200

Joy of being you

To get where you wish to go, you must take an active role in the journey. Though many good and valuable things are constantly flowing into your life, it is up to you to make something meaningful out of them.

No one else can live your life for you. That is your biggest responsibility and your greatest opportunity.

Your dreams and desires, passions, opinions, preferences and interests are yours for a reason. The more sincerely and completely you give life to them, the more genuine fulfillment you will know.

Beauty is what you know it to be. Joy is what you experience it as being.

The meaning of life is the meaning you give to it. Deep down, you know what to do.

Dive into the pure joy of being you. For there is so very much you are able to be and to give.

-- Ralph Marston