Marc and Angel Hack Life

5 Things YOU Should Be an Expert At

Marc — Fri, 17 May 2013 01:23:15 +0000

“Everything has been figured out, except how to live.”
―Jean-Paul Sartre

“Promise me that you will live and love to the point of tears. That you will do something every day that moves you. That you will become an expert at what truly matters,” my grandmother said to me just a few days before she passed.

Although she never clarified, specifically, what she wanted me to be an expert at, this advice has always stuck with me. And over the years I’ve learned that, at the very least, it includes the following:

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1. Being unapologetically YOU.

To imitate others is to never truly live. It’s like YOU never existed.

From now on, forget about what everyone else is doing. Forget about what kind of person you think they want you to be and just be the most authentic version of the person you are. Let who you are and what you believe shine through in every word you speak and every move you make.

Figure out which people you genuinely like, instead of which ones you want to like you. Hang out with people you think are cool, instead of those you’d like to be considered cool by. Get to know people by telling your own true stories and listening to theirs. Do things because they interest you, not because you think they make you look interesting to someone else. (Angel and I discuss this in more detail in the Self-Love chapter of 1,000 Little Things Happy, Successful People Do Differently.)

2. Living through love.

Every human thought, word and deed is based on fear or love. Fear is an inner energy that contracts, closes down, draws in, hides, hoards and harms. When you live through fear, you pull back from life. (more…)

9 Unconventional Ways to Let Go

Angel — Wed, 15 May 2013 02:15:48 +0000

by Vincent Nguyen of Self Stairway

Letting go is difficult, but it’s something you constantly have to do as you live from one day to the next. It’s a necessary process of adapting to the ever-changing environment you live in – leaving behind the old to make way for the new.

There are many reasons you may want to let go sooner rather than later. Maybe someone wants you to be someone you’re not, maybe you’ve had your trust broken too many times by the same person, or maybe you’ve simply been living a lifestyle that makes you unhappy. The possibilities are obviously endless.

The idea of letting go can seem daunting, but it can be done if you approach letting go from an effective, creative perspective. It’s not just telling yourself to “get your mind off of it by doing other things.” That advice is too vague, and if it were that easy you’d already be doing it.

Let’s take a look at some unique approaches that work – ten unconventional ways to learn how to let go and move on with your life:

1. Write down your troubles and torch them.

Pour your heart’s troubles out onto a sheet of paper, make a paper ball, and toss your troubles into a fire. A very cliché movie-type scene is what I describe this as, but it provides an amazing sense of closure. I’ve actually done this before during some very difficult times in my life.

I took my pain and bled honest thoughts into my writing. I wrote words that I was too afraid to say out loud because I knew no one would get the chance to read it. After that, I rolled them into a ball and tossed them all into a small backyard bonfire. (more…)

7 Behaviors to Stop Tolerating from Others

Marc — Mon, 13 May 2013 01:59:21 +0000

It is better to be alone than in bad company.

Your dignity may be attacked, ravaged and disgracefully mocked, but it can never be taken away unless you willingly surrender it. It’s all about finding the strength to defend your boundaries.

The manipulators of the world will test you from time to time to see if you bend. Don’t let them intimidate you. When you catch them pushing on you, push back. All it takes is once, and if they get away with pushing you around that once – if they know they can treat you like that – then it sets the pattern for the future.

You are stronger than them! Stick up for yourself and stop tolerating…

1. Bullying.

Bulling is not OK. Period. There is no freedom on Earth that gives someone the right to assault who you are as a person. Sadly, some people just won’t be happy until they’ve pushed your ego to the ground and stomped on it. What you have to do is have the nerve to stand your ground. Don’t give them any leeway. Nobody has the power to make you feel small unless you give them that power.

It takes a great deal of courage to stand up to your enemies, but just as much to stand up to your family and friends. Sometimes bullying comes from the most unlikely places. Be cognizant of how the people closest to you treat you, and look out for the subtle jabs they throw. When necessary, confront them – whatever it (more…)

9 Ways to Find Peace of Mind in Tough Times

Angel — Fri, 10 May 2013 01:50:17 +0000

Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass,
it’s about learning to dance in the rain.
―Vivian Greene

Over the past decade Marc and I have dealt with several personal hardships of varying degrees, including the sudden death of a sibling, the loss of a best friend to illness, and an unexpected, breadwinning employment layoff.

These experiences were brutal. Each of them, unsurprisingly, knocked us down and off course for a period of time. But when our time of mourning was over in each individual circumstance, we pressed forward, stronger, and with a greater understanding and respect for life.

Here are some vital lessons we learned – ways to maintain peace of mind in tough times:

1. Learn to trust yourself.

“It isn’t as bad as you sometimes think it is. As you heal and grow, it will all work out. Relax and trust yourself.”

Repeat that in your mind every morning. Because the truth is, it all works out in the end. Put your full trust in yourself by following your intuition and doing your best, and then move forward one step at a time with faith and confidence in the future. Life will not forsake you. Love, persistence and hard work combined rarely lead a person astray in the long run.

If you have faith in your abilities, if you stay true to the path that feels right, if you channel your passion into action, you will ultimately achieve a breakthrough. In other words, as soon as you trust yourself you will know how to heal and grow.

2. Focus on what you’re learning.

Mistakes and setbacks are simply a form of practice.

If the road is easy and free of bumps, you’re likely going the wrong way. The bumps in the road teach you what you need to know to progress down a path (more…)

6 Ways You Are Your Own Worst Enemy

Marc — Wed, 08 May 2013 02:28:22 +0000

For the longest time I had tunnel vision and expected life to be a certain way. I studied my failures until I lost sight of my successes. I surrendered my dreams to feel a sense of comfort. I crafted limiting beliefs and shielded myself from love and happiness by refusing to put myself out there. And as I did all of this, I sat back and wondered why life was so miserable.

Obviously, I was very lost.

I began to turn things around about a decade ago when my stubborn habits led me into a chaotic argument with Angel. As we both stared at each other through tears, she said, “Marc, you are the enemy – your enemy. It’s your choices. I can’t sympathize any longer. You can choose differently if you want to, but you have to want to. Please want to!” And after some extensive soul-searching, lots of reading, a little sabbatical, and continuous support from a loving wife and a few close friends, I learned to choose differently and eventually found myself again.

I tell you this because I know you struggle with similar inner demons – occasionally we all do. Sometimes our thoughts and routine choices are our biggest enemies. Which is why I want to remind you to beware of…

1. Your expectation of constant contentment.

Nothing in life is constant. There is neither absolute happiness nor absolute sadness. There are only the changes in our moods that continuously oscillate between these two extremes.

At any given moment we are comparing how we currently feel to how we felt at another time – comparing one level of our contentment to another. In this way, (more…)

8 Ways Happy People Start Their Mornings

Marc — Mon, 06 May 2013 01:50:55 +0000

The morning is extremely important. It is the foundation from which the rest of the day is built. How you choose to spend your morning can often be used to accurately predict what kind of day you’re going to have.

Here’s how to make it a happy one…

1. A calm awakening.

In the space between the edge of the night and the chaos of the day, you have a chance to make a special space for yourself. In this space, thoughts and contentment neatly overlap, where past and future issues cease to exist, and time touches eternity. Hovering about your mind, as you gently begin to stir, there are beautiful visions no one has ever seen and soothing harmonies no one has ever heard.

These first few moments of the day are sacred. Savor them. Protect them. Awaken yourself peacefully, stretch fully and breathe deeply in them without rushing forward. Give yourself this time as a gift, to simply be and feel alive, to conquer the anxiety of life, and live in the moment breath by breath.

2. Meditate on the goodness.

Begin each day with love, grace, and gratitude.

When you arise in the morning, think of what a great privilege it is to be alive – to be, to see, to hear, to think, to love, to have something to look forward to. Happiness is a big part of these little parts of your life; joy is simply the feeling of appreciating it. (more…)

5 Core Skills Your Life Depends On

Angel — Fri, 03 May 2013 03:07:22 +0000

I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think
I have ended up where I needed to be.
―Douglas Adams

Life has no purpose; you have a purpose and you bring it to life. There isn’t one big cosmic purpose for everyone either; there is only the one you give to yourself – a personal purpose, an individual meaning, a distinct plot to the story that is your life. Often this plot is difficult to follow; yet it is never impossible to follow and it is worth every bit of effort you can muster.

Each moment, each situation, each turn of events presents you with an opportunity to build the self you are capable of being. It’s just a matter of accepting opportunities, implementing ideas, taking action, and actively expressing the purpose that is uniquely YOU.

You are stronger than any barrier standing in your way, because you have a purpose that cannot be denied. You can be adaptable, innovative, hard working and tenacious. You can imagine the possibilities and then work to make them real.

Here are five life skills that will help you do just that – the real fundamentals of being an empowered, self-directed human being:

1. Curiosity

Joy comes easy to us in our youth because we haven’t become set too firmly in our ways. Our willingness to curiously assess new things and varying perspectives allows us to experience flashes of insight and beauty wherever we go. Those of us who fight the draw of our comfort zones as we age, who sustain our curiosity into our later years, learn a lot more and see far more beauty throughout our lifetime.

Curiosity, after all, is the foundation of lifelong growth. It allows us to retain a beginner’s mind even as our wisdom expands. In this way, an enduring curiosity (more…)

9 Questions Unhappy People Never Ask

Angel — Wed, 01 May 2013 02:22:59 +0000

We have within us the power to start over again.
The future is always beginning now.

Every experience – positive and negative, strength and weakness, love and hate, health and sickness – adds to your personal growth. You will never be called upon to face any challenge which you do not possess the strength to overcome.

But there are great enemies: anxiety, fear, worry, etc. These inner demons set up conditions which disturb and prevent the clear thinking you require.

Calmness, confidence, receptiveness – with these your spirit can flourish; with these you will find the answers you want from day to day, and even more importantly, you will find the right questions.

So when stress and unhappiness begins weighing down on you, take a deep breath, clear your mind and ask yourself…

“Should I turn around?” – Sometimes when it feels like you’re running into one dead end after another, it’s actually a sign that you’re not on the right path. Maybe you were meant to hang a left back when you took a right, and that’s perfectly okay. U-turns are allowed in life. Remember, no one wins a game of chess by only moving forward; sometimes you have to move backward to put yourself in a position to win. (Marc and I discuss this in more detail in the Adversity chapter of 1,000 Little Things.)
“What makes me happy?” – Whatever you decide to do, make sure it makes you happy. Someday you will look back over your life and you will realize that the best moments – when you felt most alive – were the moments when you let your instincts and passions guide you. If your passion takes you down a path few people travel, so be it. Some people may ridicule you for being different and not living up to society’s standards, but deep down, some part of them wishes they had the courage to do the same. (more…)

8 Ways You’re Driving Yourself Crazy

Marc — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 00:08:32 +0000

No great mind has ever existed without a touch of madness.
―Aristotle

I sat there in her living room staring at her through teary eyes. “I feel crazy,” I said. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me.”

“Why do you feel crazy?” she asked.

“Because I’m neurotic and self-conscious and regretful, and so much more all at once,” I said.

“And you don’t think everyone feels like this at times?” she asked.

“Not like this,” I replied under my breath.

“Well you’re wrong,” she said. “If you think you know someone who never feels a bit crazy and off-center, you just don’t know enough about them. Every one of us contains a measure of ‘crazy’ that moves us in strange, often perplexing ways. This side of us is necessary; it’s part of our human ability to think, adapt and grow. It’s part of being intelligent,” she said.

I sat silently for a moment. My eyes gazed from her eyes to the ground and back to her eyes again. “So you’re saying I should want to feel like this?”

“To an extent,” she said. “Let me put it this way: Taking all your feelings seriously all the time is a waste of your spirit. You have to know that sometimes what you feel simply won’t align with what you want; it’s just your subconscious mind’s way of helping you look at things from a different perspective. These feelings will come and go quickly as long as you let them go… as long as you consciously push past them.”

We shared another moment of silence, then my lips curled up slightly and I cracked a smile, “Thank you, Grandma,” I said.

Over the course of the next few hours we discussed the following – some ways we unnecessarily drive ourselves crazy:

1. Should haves, would haves and could haves…

As Thich Nhat Hanh so perfectly said, “People have a hard time letting go of their suffering. Out of a fear of the unknown, they prefer suffering that is familiar.” (more…)

7 Positive Things You Should Say Today

Marc — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 01:03:48 +0000

Dwell on the beauty of life. Watch the stars,
and see yourself running with them.
―Marcus Aurelius

Your life story is an expression of who you are; the words you choose to use shape this story. Your words create the essence of your inner culture and the core of your identity and destiny.

How have you written your story so far? Have you put your words to positive use? If I eavesdropped on your self-talk or your conversations with others, would I hear statements that create happiness, or statements that refute it?

Your ability to write a happy life story hinges on your language. It is your inner and outer verbal expression that makes your joy possible and that infuses your life with purpose, meaning and vitality.

So today I challenge you to say…

1. “I have a choice.”

It is not your talents or abilities, but your choices that ultimately decide your fate.

You ARE your choices.

Until you can look at yourself in the mirror and honestly say, “I have a choice. I am here now because of the choices I’ve made in the past,” you will never be able to say, “I choose differently.”

2. “Let’s get started!”

You can’t build anything wonderful with ideas of what you are going to do someday. If you want something, you have to make a little noise, declare it and (more…)

6 Ways to Speak Well to Your Loved Ones

Marc — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 02:04:41 +0000

Every heart sings a song, incomplete,
until another heart whispers back.
―Plato

At a time in history when we are communicating more rapidly than ever – via texts, tweets and email volleys, one after the next – it seems there is hardly anyone among us who couldn’t use some tips to facilitate more heartfelt communication for our in-person interactions with the people we care about most.

Here are some ideas to get you started:

1. Tell them how important they are, often.

Here’s a wake-up call for you: No matter how sure you are of someone’s love, it’s always nice to be reminded of it.

Loving someone and having them love you back is the most precious phenomenon in the world, and it should be expressed as such. When you truly love someone, be loving in words and deeds every single day. Don’t beat around the bush. Be straightforward.

If you appreciate someone today, tell them. If you adore someone today, show them. Hearts are often confused and broken by thoughtful words left unspoken and loving deeds left undone. There might not be a tomorrow. Today is the day to express your love and admiration.

2. Communicate your feelings openly.

Your parents may have told you that it’s not what you say but how you say it that (more…)

8 Effective Ways to Let Go and Move On

Marc — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 01:09:43 +0000

“Some people believe holding on and hanging in there are signs of great strength. However, there are times when it takes much more strength to know when to let go and then do it.”
―Ann Landers

You are changing. The universe around you is changing. Just because something was right for you in the past doesn’t mean it still is. This could be a relationship, a job, a home, a habit, etc.

It happens to you slowly as you grow. You discover more about who you are and what you want out of life, and then you realize there are deliberate changes you need to make to keep up with the changes happening around you and within you.

The lifestyle you’ve been living no longer fits. The specific people and routines you’ve known forever no longer align with your values. So you cherish all the memories, but find yourself letting go and moving on.

If you’re currently dealing with this process you may feel a bit awkward, and that’s OK. This feeling is normal. I’ve been right there with you on more occasions than I can count.

Reasons to Let Go and Move On

Someone’s negativity is rubbing off on you. – You are the average of the people you spend the most time with. In other words, who you spend your time with has a great impact on the person you are and the person you become. If you are around cynical and negative people all the time, you will become cynical and negative.
You have grown apart from someone. – Sad but true, no matter what you do or how much you explain yourself, some people will gradually (more…)

50 Quotes That Will Free Your Mind

Angel — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 02:54:55 +0000

We are our thoughts. We cannot change anything
if we cannot change our thinking.

You have a train of thought on which you ride when you are alone and quietly thinking. The self-worth you feel, as well as the happiness your life brings, depends upon the direction in which this train is moving, the baggage it carries and the emotional space through which it travels. Between life’s stimulus and your reaction is where this space exists; within it is your power to choose how you react, and in your reaction lies your growth, freedom and happiness.

If you truly want to change your life, you must first change your mind. You must free it from the restrictive thinking that holds you back.

Here are 50 thought-provoking quotes gathered from our sister site, Everyday Life Lessons, and from our blog archive that will help tweak your thinking and set your mind free.

You are only destined to become one person – the person you decide to be.
Do good and feel good. Do bad and feel bad. It’s that simple.
You are what you do today, not what you say you’ll do tomorrow.
We all make choices, but in the end our choices make us.
Ultimately, it’s not what you do every once in a while; it’s what you dedicate yourself to on a regular basis that makes the difference.
Stay true to yourself. Never be ashamed of doing what feels right. Decide what you think is right and stick to it.
If you don’t stand for anything, you will remain forever on your knees.
No amount of money will make you happy if you aren’t happy with yourself.
You know you’ve made the right decision when there is peace in your heart. (more…)

10 Signs Your Friend is Toxic

Angel — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 02:28:35 +0000

Toxic friends complicate your life. These people are more than a nuisance, they’re parasitic. Precious time slips away as you deal with their negativity; and you’re left wondering why you feel so despondent. If you’re ready to simplify your life, you can’t condone these toxic friendships any longer.

What Toxic Friends Do

They drain you. – You feel psychologically and emotionally depleted after spending time with them, instead of uplifted. (Read Emotional Blackmail.)
They are unsupportive. – You’re afraid to tell them about new, important aspects of your life because they’ve been unsupportive or downright rude about your ideas in the past.
They are up to no good. – They regularly partake in activities that are morally unjust.
Their values and interests are opposite to your own. – Dissimilar value systems often mix like oil and water. This doesn’t necessarily mean the other person is wrong, it just means they aren’t right for you.
They are unreliable. – They always break their promises.
They only contact you when they need something. – Otherwise you never hear from them.
They aren’t meeting you halfway. – If you are always the one calling your friend to make plans and going out of your way to be with them, but they never return the favor and attempt to go out of her way for you, there’s a problem. (more…)

9 Things Your Relationships Need From You

Marc — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 06:46:52 +0000

There is greatness and beauty in doing something
inconvenient for the sake of someone you care about.

All relationships require work. They don’t just materialize and maintain themselves, and they aren’t built on a foundation of convenience either. They take time and patience and two people who are willing to put in the effort.

Here’s how to do your part – nine things your relationships need from you:

1. Attention

Neglect based on lack of attention damages relationships far more often than malicious abuse. There’s nothing more vital to the bond you share with others than simply being there for them.

When we pay attention to each other we breathe new life into each other. With frequent attention and affection our relationships flourish, and we as individuals grow stronger. This is the side effect of a good relationship – we help heal each other’s wounds and support each other’s strengths.

Bottom line: Stay in close touch with those who matter to you – communicate openly on a regular basis. Not because it’s convenient, but because these people are worth the extra effort.

2. Trust

The entire fabric of our society – people working, living and breathing together – relies on the positive beliefs we have about each other – a subtle, inherent trust. This trust is the glue that holds every peaceful civilization together. Which is why trust is the greatest compliment you can give a person, even greater than love. (more…)

8 Things You Can’t Learn in a Classroom

Marc — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 04:25:29 +0000

A few weeks ago I wrote about a school project entitled “Lessons Life Teaches” that I helped my neighbor’s son, Jesse, with. After we were done discussing the project, Jesse and I chatted for an hour about growing up and his imminent transition out of high school and into adulthood. He asked me one question after the next about college, career options, entrepreneurship, starting and running a popular blog, etc. He was thirsting for knowledge, and I was truly inspired by his enthusiasm to learn about all the possibilities that await him in the next phase of his life.

It was his final question that really made me think though. He asked, “What am I not learning in the classroom?” I answered the question as best I could, and tried to give some decent advice with the time I had, but for some reason this question stuck with me. Now that I’ve had some time to think about it I realize there are actually several important lessons that can’t be fully taught or learned in a classroom environment. Here are the first eight that came to mind when I sat down to write this morning:

1. Unimagined, real world life experiences.

The most prolific experience is not in achieving something, but in seeking it. It is the journey towards an endless horizon that matters – goals that move forward with you as you chase them. It’s all about the pursuit and what you learn along the way – the ‘moving.’

The most important reason for moving from one place to another is to see what’s in between. In between is where passions are realized, love is found, strength is (more…)

5 Ways to Step Forward When You’re Scared to Death

Marc — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 08:46:54 +0000

“Do one thing every day that scares you.”
―Eleanor Roosevelt

Fear is the most powerful single factor that deprives you of being able to achieve your full potential. You experience it most often as a result of your own thoughts and emotional visions, rather than actual real world causes. In other words, you become fearful of a fantasy – something that doesn’t exist.

Fear is a cloaked enemy that whispers negative thoughts into your mind, body and soul. It tries to convince you that you will not succeed and that you cannot achieve your full potential. These thoughts are lies.

The road you are traveling may be a bit scary at times, but don’t lose faith. Don’t listen to your fears and the fears of those around you. Don’t let old setbacks work their way into your present thinking. And most of all, don’t give up on what’s important to you.

It’s fine to feel a bit uncomfortable. It’s okay if you don’t know exactly what’s going to happen next, or how much you can handle. As long as you gradually step forward you will learn what you need to know. You will let go of the scary things that ‘might happen’ and start to see all the great realities unfolding around you.

This is your life and it’s an open road. Grab the wheel with both hands and keep steering yourself around all the unnecessary fears and uncertainties as they arise. Here’s how…

1. Envision and declare what you want.

Regardless of fear or actual real world barriers, whenever you want to achieve something, you have to envision it and declare it. You have to keep your eyes open and focused specifically on what you want. It’s simply impossible to hit a target you haven’t declared, or get anywhere worthwhile with your eyes closed and your vision blurred. (more…)

6 Reasons You Aren’t Dead Yet

Marc — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 02:52:02 +0000

“Though the road’s been rocky, it sure feels good to me.”
―Bob Marley

About a decade ago my grandmother, a woman whom I respected and cherished dearly, turned eighty years old. I’ve written about her before, but I’ll do her justice once again by restating that she was one of the wisest and most humble people I’ve ever known. Although a bit soft-spoken, every time she did speak priceless wisdom rattled the eardrums of those lucky enough to be around.

On the evening of her eightieth birthday, in a moment of genuine humility but obvious self-doubt she asked me, “Marc, at my age, do you think I still matter? Do you think I still have more to achieve?” I was completely speechless and I stumbled over my words for several seconds. Here I am in the presence of someone whom I have an undying respect for, and she’s asking me whether or not she matters.

I finally collected myself and said, “Grandma, yes – 110% yes! You matter and you still have a lot to look forward to. I’m not telling you this because I love you, but because it’s the truth. As time rolls on you will prove this truth to yourself, and I will be there to support you every step of the way.”

My grandmother sat silently for a moment, smiled and replied, “Thank you dear. I needed to hear that. I’m honestly looking forward to the journey ahead.” (more…)

30 Beautiful Things Happening Now

Angel — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 02:29:45 +0000

“Happiness, not in another place but this place…
not for another hour, but this hour.”
―Walt Whitman

All around the world, the present moment is filled with beauty.

If you are attentive, you will see it. If you are willing, you will help create it.

Let’s take a moment to think about the beautiful things happening around us.

Right now, at this exact moment…

A newborn infant just took her first breath.
Two teenage romantics just received their very first kiss, from each other.
Someone is driving their car with the windows down and singing to their favorite song at the top of their lungs.
Volunteers in different cities are actively assisting and standing up for the powerless, the homeless, and the neglected who need someone to speak up for them.
Someone is in the middle of complimenting a stranger who desperately needed a reason to smile.
Two coworkers are cracking each other up and laughing so hard they aren’t even making any noise. (more…)

9 Power Quotes for Times of Struggle

Marc — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 02:01:40 +0000

There’s scarcely any happiness, passion or success without struggle. Life is a constant climb, but the journey is rewarding and the view is great. It’s just a matter of pushing forward when the going gets tough.

Here are nine power quotes and some additional tips to help inspire you when you need it most.

1. Growth and Change

“And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.” ―Anaïs Nin

Discontent is the principal necessity of positive growth, but only if you do something constructive with it. Without deviation from what you’ve been doing, progress is not possible. Don’t be someone who goes through greater lengths to avoid change than you do to obtain what you desire. You must define and embrace the necessary changes that move you forward.

Your life will begin to improve when you define precisely what ‘improve’ means to you. The agonies and frustrations will start to ease only when you have something real and positive to replace them with. Be specific. Happiness is not a goal, it’s the result of a life well lived. The question is: How do you want to live going forward?

To effectively move away from an unfavorable situation, you must decide exactly where you wish to go. Create a formidable intention for yourself, and feed that intention with the passion and energy that’s in your desire for change. Go beyond your discontent for what is, and instead focus on imagining and creating the best of what’s possible. Clearly know where you wish to go, and then take the first real step that gets you there. Read 1,000 Little Things.

2. Problems and Opportunities

“What is the difference between an obstacle and an opportunity? Our attitude toward it. Every opportunity has a difficulty, and every difficulty has an opportunity.” ―J. Sidlow Baxter

Truth be told, you have to create more opportunities than you are handed in this world, and you have to design them with your own blood, sweat and tears. The effort, however, is well worth it.

There’s no shortage of problems waiting to be addressed. When you see problems piled on top of problems, and when there seems to be no end to the (more…)