Is there some task that you resent having to do, or that you avoid doing even though you know it must eventually be done? Consider this. What if you couldn’t do it? What is some disability or other circumstance made it physically impossible for you to do that task? Would you look at it differently? Life is filled with blessings, and perhaps one of life’s most under-appreciated blessings is the necessity to engage in meaningful effort. Effort is your opportunity... Read more

Are you avoiding some particular challenging task because the thought of it intimidates you? That’s just the problem. The thought of it is what’s intimidating you. It’s not the challenge itself that’s the problem. It’s your perception of that challenge. So how do you change that perception? The best way is by jumping into the challenge. The moment you start to actually take action, a good portion of the intimidation disappears. Of course it’s difficult and complicated and uncomfortable. Yet... Read more

Think of the best day you’ve ever experienced. Then imagine it ten times better. Can you do that? When you do, it will give you merely a glimpse at the extent of joy and fulfillment that is possible in your life. The fact is, there is no limit on the good and valuable, joyful and enriching experiences in life. Any limitation you perceive is just that — your perception. What if you were to expand your concept of what’s possible,... Read more

No matter where you are at this moment in time, no matter what may be happening in your life or in the world around you, you have the very real ability to move positively forward from whatever the situation may be. Whomever or whatever may be to blame for your current set of circumstances, you are responsible for making the best of what you have and where you are. You are responsible because you are the person who is most... Read more

1. Replace judgment with acceptance. Remind yourself that what’s done is done, and no amount of assigning blame will change that. Furthermore, what’s here is here, and no amount of judgment will change that. Keep yourself grounded in reality while keeping your focus on the positive possibilities. Accept what is real right now and you also will be accepting the best of those possibilities. 2. Get out in front of your deadlines and obligations. Instead of always playing catch-up, and... Read more

Looking back on today, what will you wish you had done? Now is your opportunity to fulfill those future wishes. Now is your chance to avoid the regrets. Now is a day to fill with life and love and effort and achievement. Now is the time you’ve been waiting for and working toward your whole life. You’ll never look back and wish you had spent more time worrying. You’ll never look back and realize that you should have been more... Read more

By John J. Murphy When many people think of forgiveness, they think of it in a Newtonian, subject and object way. I forgive you for hurting me or you forgive me for acting like a jerk. With this perspective of “separation,” driven by the ego, we think we are forgiving when we are in fact condemning. We view the forgiveness as being given by one who is above or separate from the other. Even worse, we might agree to forgive... Read more

Think for a moment about what is involved in trying to get something done. Trying is filled with anxiety. When you are trying, you’re working against what is, in order to create what you want to be. Allowing is totally different. Allowing has no anxiety, because you are not fighting against anything. You are instead letting go and letting something be. Out of all the possibilities in the universe at any particular moment, you are choosing to allow a certain... Read more

It takes effort to move forward. It takes courage and determination. Fortunately, you are filled with courage and determination. Yes, you may feel some fear and trepidation. But courage is not the lack of fear. Courage is the ability to feel your fear, to listen to what it has to say, to allow it to prepare you, and to move forward. Determination is surely yours. You know what you desire. You know why you desire it. Just keep those things... Read more

Today is not perfect. But it is here, and it is what you have. So work with it. No, things won’t fall precisely into place. There will be interruptions, frustrations, discomforts and inconveniences. And yet, in spite of all that and more, there is opportunity. Today holds great opportunity because it is in the process of unfolding, and you have a very immediate and direct influence on the way it unfolds for you. Much of what happens today will be... Read more