Start each day with an appreciation for life, and for the joy that it can bring. Stop for a moment to watch the gathering light as the sun begins to appear over the horizon. Step back from the crisis of the moment and put things in perspective. Listen carefully and lovingly to the words of another, and think of what a rich treasure it is to enjoy the blessing of companionship. So many things bring on anxiety and distress, and... Read more

To be effectively creative, we must learn to manage two distinct processes. First is the process of integration and synthesis of a new idea. Everything new that is created — great buildings, works of art, businesses, complex machines, books, films — must first exist in the mind. New ideas come largely from the integration of existing concepts — combining and intermingling them in ways that have never before been expressed. This part of the creative process requires exposure to a... Read more

When you fight against something negative, you use most of your energy just to stay even. There is little, if any, remaining to help you get ahead. Even if you win, you lose. Much anxiety comes from fighting against problems. If there is an obstacle standing in your path, look first for a way to move past it rather than immediately trying to fight against it. Instead of fighting against the bill collectors, find a way to increase your income.... Read more

When you live and act with gratitude, it keeps you focused on abundance rather than on lack and limitation. Think about it. When you are grateful and appreciative for what you have, your mind is occupied with positive thoughts. By contrast, when you are bitter, resentful or apprehensive about what you don’t have, it focuses your mind on lack and limitation. Which focus do you think is more productive, more creative, more oriented towards success? Positive focus, of course. Just... Read more

Where do your negative feelings come from? Are they being imposed on you from outside? It may seem that way. You may think you have no choice. You may think that it’s not your fault, that you’re being angry because someone is making you angry. But that’s not the case at all. When you’re angry, it’s because you have chosen to be angry in response to whatever is happening. You’ve chosen to be angry because of what someone else has... Read more

Do you ever feel a little bit hopeless? The first thing to understand is that the feeling of hopelessness is just that — a feeling. It is not you. It’s just something you’re feeling. It’s not who you are. It doesn’t define you. It is merely something you’ve chosen to feel. Yes, at the moment it may seem like it is everything you are. But step back just a little, put it in perspective, think about it, and you’ll quickly... Read more

Obstacles are not a reason to stop taking action — they’re a reason to take even more action. Is there some law stating that difficulties are a reason to become discouraged? No, there’s no reason in the world why you must become discouraged when you run up against a problem. In fact, it is perfectly permissible to become energized, and invigorated, and even more enthusiastic than you were before. In fact, when you think about it, it makes perfect sense.... Read more

This moment is as it is. The world is as it is. There is no use in denying or fighting against the reality of the moment. There is no use in wishing things had turned out differently. There is no point in being resentful. Yet there is every possibility of making things better, of improving reality. Once you accept this moment for what it is, you can immediately set about to change it for the better. No matter where you... Read more

Imagine yourself out on the open ocean in a very fast and powerful speedboat. Fifty miles away from you in one direction is an island. On that island is everything you could ever desire, the fulfillment of your most deeply held dreams. And all you need to do is get yourself there. It’s just over the horizon. But which horizon? The problem is that you have no compass, no GPS, no map, no radio, no telephone, no idea which direction... Read more

Imagine that you’re sitting at your desk, attempting to get some work done. But every few seconds, there’s a mysterious beeping sound coming from your computer. At first, you don’t pay much attention to it. Yet very quickly it becomes annoying. There’s a beep. Then a short pause. Then another beep. Then another and another. Soon you reach the point where you just can’t get any work done because of all the beeps. Then you find out that every time... Read more