Where you ultimately end up greatly depends on your daily attitude and response.
This morning one of our clients, Monica — a sufferer of a fairly recent and debilitating car accident — was smiling from ear to ear the minute our FaceTime coaching session began. “What has you in such good spirits today?” I asked her. “I’m thinking better about things today — about how lucky I am to be alive,” she replied. “I thought the injuries I sustained in that accident earlier this year signified the end of life as I know it, but now I realize they signify the beginning.”
All details aside, Monica decided to begin again, in her mind first and then in her life. It’s taken her several months of healing and practice, but she has gradually let go of the “shoulda, woulda, coulda” attachments in her head about her circumstances. And she has stepped forward with grace, determination, and a healthy mindset.
Let’s follow Monica’s lead and practice thinking better starting today, so we can begin to build momentum as we move forward through the rest of May, and beyond…
Morning Reminders & Quotes on Sticky Notes
It’s all about keeping the right thoughts top of mind from the get-go every day so they’re readily available in the moments when we need them most. For Monica, that has meant deliberately reflecting on what she needs to remember. To make this practice seamless she writes important reminders on sticky notes and then puts them up where she can see them first thing in the morning (a few of her sticky notes are up on the wall in her bedroom, and she has a few more on her bathroom mirror and refrigerator).
Monica’s sticky notes keep her on track by keeping her mind inspired with positive, proactive reminders, even when she’s struggling. Through this daily practice she she has ultimately learned that inner peace does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, chaos, or challenges to deal with; it means being in the midst of all those things and still being capable of maintaining a healthy mindset. And I’m sure you’ve learned something similar over the years from your own life experiences. I know Angel and I surely have. But just like Monica, and you, we often forget…
Which is precisely why Angel and I have sticky notes up in our house too. So my challenge to YOU is to start practicing alongside us. To get started, steal our notes and quotes below — perhaps just the ones that resonate most — and rewrite them on physical sticky notes, so you can then stick them up where you can see them. Then pause for a few moments every morning and quietly read them to yourself. See how doing so gradually changes the way you think from day to day…
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10.
(Note: Most of the sticky notes and quotes above are included in “The Good Morning Journal: Powerful Prompts & Reflections to Start Every Day”.)
Let’s make the best of what’s in front of us.
We often yearn for a very small and selective range of life experiences — the fun times, the happy days, the things that make us feel comfortable. And yet the full range of our daily reality is often quite different. Life gives us an extensive array of experiences that evoke feelings ranging from sadness to uncertainty to frustration to curiosity to nervousness… to happiness to excitement and more. These feelings are all part of being alive.
So we can revolt against the wide-ranging experiences life naturally provides, or we can make the very best of them. Starting today, let’s do the latter…
This means embracing every moment with our full presence, being open and vulnerable to reality, being gentle with ourselves when times are tough, and practicing sincere gratitude whenever possible.
It means accepting life as it is, and accepting ourselves as we are.
It means not expecting the best to happen every time, but instead accepting whatever happens, and making the very best of it one step at a time.
And it won’t always be easy of course, but it’s worth working on.
YOU are worth working on, starting first thing every morning for the rest of the month, and beyond.
Now it’s your turn…
Yes, it’s your turn to get some inspiring sticky notes up on your walls. But before you go, please leave Angel and me a comment below and let us know what you think of this post. Your feedback is important to us. 🙂
Which sticky note or idea above resonates with you the most today?
Finally, if you haven’t done so already, be sure to sign-up for our free newsletter to receive new articles like this in your inbox each week.
George says
I have just re-written and stuck a few of those on my office wall. Thank you.
Ann says
I really appreciate your sharing and often find a guiding kernel of wisdom that helps me.. I am a sticky note person, and I find less verbiage works best for me as a very kinesthetic person. Here are some of my fave sticky notes:
“One touch of nature makes the whole world kin” Shakespeare
“That’s right May. Let all that misery slide right off you. Just let it go” Sue Monk Kid in The Secret Life of Bees
“And when you get down to it Lily that’s the only purpose grand enough for human life, not just to love but to persist in love” Sue Monk Kid again
Wisdom begins in Wonder (source unknown)
Turn your face to the sun and the shadows fall behind you (source unknown, seen on a trail sign)
“Dance to the rhythm of your delight” friend Jo Vukelich
“It is the creative potential itself in human beings that is the image if God” Mary Daly
I have many more posted at work, others may think they are clutter. I think these wisdoms shine the light.
Shine on!!
:
Ann Dervin says
Absolutely true, all of these thoughts, why not act on these words
Dale Ann says
Love these! I’ll put the 1st half of #3 on my classroom wall this morning.
P Murphy says
Number 3 all day long. You can in no way shape or form perfect control over how you feel when something unexpected happens to you. But you absolutely can learn how to react more effectively—that reaction is totally a choice. It’s not an easy skill to learn of course but once the realisation sets in that you can indeed choose a response then at that very moment you acquire a hugely powerful ability and your quality of life will begin to improve considerably. Great short reminders!
Harold Tinker says
I woke up this morning in great need of what I read. I’m 81 and realize I need to accept the fact I’m getting old. It doesn’t last forever.
After over 30 years pouring concrete and being active every day, doing very little now isn’t easy for me. I guess letting myself accept the fact that life goes on regardless if I accept it all or not.Time waits for no man. Not even me. I know the rest of my life will be what I make it. If I mess it up, I can’t blame it on anyone but myself.
God said it’s not good for man to dwell alone, but I lost a amazing wife 6 years ago so I dwell alone. Easy to feel sorry for myself. But I’m focusing forward. The start to this year was a hard one, but I can see how grew a little stronger inside – I’m still learning. I sincerely believe this, and that I can make progress in the days and weeks ahead.
Thanks for all you effort helping folks, like me, to make adjustments.
Lori A Cameron says
Good Morning Harold, Hope that you are blessed with a beautiful day today, Thats how i get thru oone day at a time,And yes i too have a hard time with not being able to do what i use too,My father passed at eighty-3 and had a very hard time dealing with not being able to work or do anything Physical anymore please hang in there enjoy life you sure do deserve it, Live for the moment and that moment is now.
Melanie says
Thank you for sharing this Harold. I applaud your attitude of acceptance and moving forward. My Mom will be turning 87 this year and is a widow for the past 10. She dwells with my sister, and yet daily inspires herself to read something where she’s learning something new (usually nutritional books), works out at the gym twice a week (with free weights and the elliptical!), gives time each week serving others in need, and keeps up with 5 kids! I write this to you because I hope it may inspire you.?
Wendy says
Remember that community is one of the keys to a happy life. After 70+ years of marriage, my husband’s grandfather found a ladyfriend to keep him company in an Alzheimer’s facility. He never forgot his wife, but had a great friend to keep him company for his remaining years. Remember to keep as active as your are able. It’s harder to build muscle than to maintain it. It will keep your mind and body young.
Lynda says
I enjoyed all of the sticky notes but I especially like #7. Your emails and books have been very uplifting to me over the past year as I’ve dealt with the loss of a loved one.
Verna says
Marc&Angel,
I resonate deeply with the positive morning reminders you’ve shared here and I will start using them tomorrow when I first wake up. But I also want you to know how much I deeply connected with the way you ended this article…the challenge to accept every life situation and experience. Gosh, I really need to hear this right now because the past couple years have left me in some tough situations. Too often I find myself avoiding situations, experiences, relationships, and realities in my life that aren’t ideal nowadays. I resist the truth far more often then I even realize, and quite honestly I think many folks I know do the same exact thing. We avoid reality rather than opening ourselves to the possibility of making the very best of it.
Anyhow, I’ve been a long-time reader of your work, and my husband and I sit down together every week and use your articles, emails and excerpts from your 1,000 Things book to reflect on our lives. This article has helped us do just that today as we press forward through the rest of the year. Thank you, yet again!
Marie says
M&A, reminder number 4 above is something I used to struggle with desperately to no end. I actually found your website about three years ago when I was stuck in a bout of continuous stress. Between stressful job responsibilities, and difficult family obligations, my tank was utterly dry. In a nutshell, I was stretching myself far too thin — I was giving all of myself to the projects and people I care about and leaving zero time to nurture my own wellness. After reading your blog posts and emails, I signed up for your back to happiness course and started coaching with you. The rituals we designed na implemented for dealing with my self-neglect and balancing my time and energy so that I’m now nurturing both myself AND others, has been a an absolute life-saver.
Although it’s been awhile since I checked in here and left a public comment, I do often read your new posts and emails when they arrive in my inbox. This one—especially number 4—was such a great reminder for me as I embark on the next step at the moment that I had to leave you another quick Thank you!
W says
Thank you so much for the articles. Very good and encouraging notes. We go through storms but not easy to control or calm them and I agree we need to calm ourselves. It is not easy but storms comes and goes. Therefore, patience is also what we need. I am going through a storm with my career and businness, but I am hopeful the weeks ahead will get better.
Bless you.
Susan Mary Law says
3 – Calm yourself …. I have a lot to be thankful for – and from your previous posts ‘calmness is a human superpower’, ‘don’t overthink the problem’ and ‘ being positive means overcoming the negative’ (rather than ignoring it).
Had some bad news this morning that I’m wrestling with.
Thank you so much for your emails – I read them all and send you my very best wishes.
Marcia says
Fantastic article. I have some of my own sticky notes in a few places such as ” I am healthy, healed, whole and complete”. For me, these are better read out loud and ideally short and sweet so they are easy to read quickly if needed (rushing to get out of the house) but also because they are easily remembered. This way I am able to say them out loud while driving in the car or at gymn. Thanks for sharing and hope more people start this excellent therapy!
Denise P says
All of these are powerful and can help to reset a person’s perspective. I especially number 6. Enjoy the present and not focus on what you don’t have. “Don’t wish away all your days”.
Thank you and I enjoy reading your posts.
Lesley-Anne Palmer says
Thank you for your words of wisdom. I always find something which resonates with me.
Sekarang says
Very inspiring and thank you for sharing
TOny says
I already have sticky notes around my condo because they help and they work for me. I’ve added a couple more based on the ones you listed here. I started using sticky notes after rehab to help me progress through my sobriety and help me reestablish healthy habits.
Becky says
Loved this comment: inner peace does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, chaos, or challenges to deal with; it means being in the midst of all those things and still being capable of maintaining a healthy mindset.
Looking forward to putting up sticky notes of my own.
Elkana Kiyeny says
Thank you so much marc and angel, i am going to re-write them and stick them to my bed.
Elaine says
What great words of wisdom! Thank you I am always encouraged by your kind words! ?
Fran says
God bless you both for your willingness and ability to reach out to regular folks with your wisdom and sensible advice time and again!
We never really know the impact we may have on someone just by simply saying the right thing at the right time!
You do that with every article, with positive encouragement and uplifting thoughts, gently reminding people of their worth and capacity for change!
mick says
Love all of these inspirational quotes and I’m taking them on board as I can continue my life’s journey.
Keep up the good work – I, for one, am grateful for your inspiring words and love for others.
Kavita Rekhi says
Thus article will help me to overcome from overthinking and negative thoughts .I am hopeful that things will be better Thanks a lot
Karla says
Thank you for such beautiful inspiring words & thoughts. #4 & 10 really resonate right now but absolutely love all of them.
I haven’t been able to shake sadness & meloncaly feelings for awhile now but your posts help.
Last August I lost my 27 year old daughter to cancer, I lost my job because I didn’t give proper notification that I was going to be with her at the hospital & well, the list could go on. As a mother & grandmother losing my daughter seemed to lessen me, doubt myself, rage at life for seeing her decline before my eyes. I don’t want to socialize or see the brighter side of anything sometimes . And after the dust settles it’s just me & my family still grieving & in disbelief that she’s gone.
But I can’t stop living, she wouldn’t want that & I have children & grandchildren looking to me for support & guidance. It’s a daily work in progress. Some days I can’t stop crying.
And then it’s days like today, I read your content & other posts from other people going through situations too & I realize I’m not alone, I can still find peace & happiness & enjoy a ray of sunshine that warms my spirit & soothes my soul. My daughter & I collaborated on our family business & it renews my strength & purpose to see those plans manifested.
Thank you ! And RIP my beautiful daughter Toni ?