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Small actions done consistently can yield big results. In less than one minute, you can read the message below for a positive tone for your entire day. The day to improve yourself, help others and be happy is TODAY. In this defining moment, you can make that choice. Set the example by being the example.
Live Strong!
Imagine a sparkling, blue sea, filled with life and color and beauty. Now think for a moment about how you can most fully experience it. If you try to take it for yourself and keep what you have taken for yourself and no one else, all you end up with is a bucket of salty water. Yet when you let go of your need to possess, and dive in, immersing yourself in the sea and giving yourself to it, then you fully experience its magnificence.
Similarly, when you try to take from life and hoard a small bucket of it for yourself, whatever you get is not really worth having. It is when you dive in and give of yourself that you experience the real meaning and beauty of being alive.
Life is simply too grand and too magnificent for you ever to be able to take anything away from it. You can never take away and keep for yourself anything more than a mere token. When you really give is when you really live.
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Forget Excuses!
Forget the excuses, let go of the shoulds, move beyond the if onlys, and ask yourself this one question. Are you willing or are you not? All the many things that go into any achievement can be reduced to one clear and simple factor. And that is -- are you willing?
When you are willing to do what it takes, you'll find a way. When you are willing, though circumstances conspire against you, you'll get it done anyway. When you're truly willing, the problems have a way of being transformed into opportunities. When you're really willing, the disappointments have a way of making you even more determined.
If you're willing, that's great -- go for it with everything you have. Yet if you're not willing, there's still a way to become so.
Somewhere, somehow, there is something that will inspire and engage you fully. Connect yourself with it and suddenly, you'll be willing, willing to do whatever it takes.
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Be Kind!
It's easy to act with kindness and understanding toward those who have been kind to you. Yet the real power of kindness comes when you give it even to those who don't deserve it.
Acting with cruelty in response to cruelty only drags down everyone involved. With kindness, you have the opportunity to lift up yourself and others. Being kind does not mean allowing others to take advantage of you. On the contrary, your kindness can give you the positive, undeniable power to make sure that everyone's best interests are served.
Yes, there are those who will not respond well to your kindness. Act toward them with kindness and understanding anyway, and even though they won't benefit from your kindness, you yourself still will.
Think of your kindness toward others as a valuable gift you give mainly to yourself. If anyone else is enlightened enough to accept and appreciate it too, that makes it even better.
Marilyn L. Ali
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