June 13

Getting it wrong

It’s good when things go perfectly according to plan. But it can be a whole lot more interesting when they don’t.

Much of life’s richness, color, and texture come from its imperfections. Sometimes getting it wrong will create more value than getting it right.

Don’t be too quick to cast judgment when plans go awry. Instead, look for the value, look for the good, look for the positive way forward.

Live with intention, but don’t let your intentions get in the way of your joy and fulfillment. Don’t let whatever you were seeking and expecting get in the way of what you can discover and experience.

Temper your ambition with flexibility. Be open to all those things you do not know are there.

Life can be messy, unpredictable, and rich beyond all comprehension. Live fully its great value, however untidily it might unfold.

— Ralph Marston

June 14

Adjust your tactics

Be honest with yourself. Are your thoughts, actions, perceptions, assumptions, and priorities bringing the results you desire?

If so, expand on them. If not, make some changes.

You’re absolutely capable of attaining whatever goal you choose to follow. Yet to achieve the desired output, you must provide the appropriate input.

Conditions change, and what once worked very well may no longer be effective. Be willing to recognize reality and to adjust your approach.

There’s no cause to be dismayed when you realize your current approach is not working well. Because what you have is the opportunity to find a more effective way to operate.

Today is a great time to objectively evaluate your results. Today, if necessary, you can adjust your tactics so they bring you exactly where you wish to be.

— Ralph Marston

June 15

Good things are possible

Good things are possible for you today. It’s up to you to see them, connect with them, experience and enjoy them.

Good things are always possible. Yet if you’re consumed with anger, worry, or frustration, you won’t recognize those good possibilities.

Take a moment to smile. Feel the power of that smile as it carries you to a more positive place.

Good things are possible, and your outlook can make those good things much more likely in your life. With your thoughts and expectations, position yourself to experience the most beneficial portions of reality.

Decide right now to spend this day attuned to life’s goodness. Do all you can to make this the best day possible for yourself and all those around you.

Good things are ready to happen when you allow them, encourage, support and appreciate them. Visualize all those good things, and let that vision come alive through you.

— Ralph Marston

June 16

Space for joy

There is always space for more joy in this world. Fill that space with joy of your own making.

You need no special condition or reason to be joyful. Give joy, spread joy, live joy just because you can.

Let yourself be amazed by the fact that a whole universe exists for you to experience and enjoy. Stream your own joy into whatever unique corner of the universe you happen to find yourself.

What can you do to remind yourself and others how great it is to be alive today? What words, thoughts, and activities can you initiate to express joy from your own perspective?

Carry joy into the most unlikely situations, for that’s where joy can make the biggest difference. Share joy with even the most unreceptive people, for they are who yearn for it most.

Look out and imagine all of existence as a massive container for joy. Devote yourself to adding new joy every chance you get.

— Ralph Marston

June 17

Claiming credit

When you’re mistaken, admit it. When you’re correct, let go of any urge to announce how right you are.

Even if what you’re bragging about is true, it’s still bragging. And humble bragging is worse because it is so carefully contrived.

Bragging hurts, and the person it hurts is you. It diminishes you in the eyes of others, and even more significantly, in your own view.

When you brag, you send yourself a negative message. You tell yourself your insights and achievements must be propped up, that they’re not good enough to stand on their own merit.

Do good, useful, productive, enriching things not just to look good. Do them for their own sake, because they are good.

Put your energy into what you’re doing, not into claiming credit for what you’re doing. And you’ll be able to achieve a whole lot more.

— Ralph Marston

June 18

Attitude upgrade

Take note of the attitude you’ve carried into this day. Is it helping you right now, or hurting you?

Is your attitude pushing you toward what you wish to achieve? Then you have an excellent day in store.

But what if your attitude is hindering you, blocking you from fulfilling your intentions? Do you think you could set it aside for a while?

Your attitude right now is yours to choose. If that attitude is not serving you well, you’re entirely free to immediately change it.

Yes, it really is that easy. Once you decide to have a more positive attitude, it is already yours.

So if necessary, make that decision, and upgrade your attitude. It’s free, it’s quick, it’s easy, and it’s very much in your best interest.

— Ralph Marston

June 19

Faith in the future

Banish all thoughts of what you lack. Concentrate on making effective use of all you have.

Don’t deplete time and energy wishing for things to be different. Take hold of the situation as it is, and push it in a positive direction.

Complaints, resentments, and despair get you nowhere. Intention and action can take you anywhere.

Circumstances are messy, life is not fair, people are uncooperative and inconsiderate. Look past all that, and see the positive possibilities.

Bit by bit, the whole world is lifted by people who have faith in the future, and who act on that faith. Have faith in the future not because of sappy wishful thinking, but because of what you can do.

Activate your strength, now, today, and act in the direction of your best possibilities. Deal with life as it is, and work to transform it into your highest vision of what life can be.

— Ralph Marston

June 20

Get with it now

The moment you decide to achieve anything, begin to do it. Give your intention meaning and substance by acting on it right away.

Your enthusiasm, motivation, commitment and sense of purpose are at their highest levels. Reap the benefits of that situation.

Lock in your intention by putting some effective effort behind it. Quickly establish a powerful momentum that will carry that intention to fulfillment.

Put time on your side by using it to take action at your earliest opportunity. The sooner you get started, the more time you’ll have to achieve great things.

Get yourself swiftly into motion, and suddenly you’re motivated to stay in motion. Chalk up some early wins, and you’ll be driven to continue your winning streak.

If you’re going to make a positive difference, then get with it, now. Your intention is clear and your time is here, so go for it.

— Ralph Marston

June 21

Your good fortune

You cannot possibly be aware of all the things you have to be thankful for. But don’t let that stop you from trying.

There are many factors that add great value to your life that you’ll never know about. You are the beneficiary of thousands of years of cumulative progress.

Most of the details of how that progress was made have been lost to history. Yet the benefits of that progress continue to this day, and are always growing.

Be thankful for all the things you know to be thankful for. And be thankful for all those good things that make life better that you don’t even know about.

Sure, there are still many difficult problems, challenges, and tragedies. Yet those negative things occur within an overall context of goodness, possibility, and great opportunity.

Gratitude enables you to experience more of that goodness, to access more opportunities. Be thankful, and reap the full benefit of good fortune that’s been coming your way longer than you can imagine.

— Ralph Marston

June 22

Fresh perspective

Take a few moments, and take a few steps away from the commotion and confusion. Guide yourself to a place where you can see more clearly, and give yourself a fresh, empowering perspective.

You’ll realize that much of what concerns you, need not concern you. You’ll understand that the problems are easily outnumbered by the many opportunities and positive possibilities.

You’ll recognize that much of what seems to hold you back does so only with your consent. You’ll discover how easy it can be to let go of self-imposed limitations and allow yourself to move forward.

Gently take a few steps away. Arrive at a place where you can focus on what is truly important.

Enjoy being in a place where your purpose really matters. Feel how much a renewed sense of purpose can energize your efforts.

Life has great beauty, and is filled with an unending stream of wonderful possibilities. Take a few steps back from the noise and distractions, and watch as the best of those possibilities come clearly into focus.

— Ralph Marston

June 23

Today has arrived

The past is gone, and no longer in a position to hold you back. On this new day, every disappointment is already behind you.

Today has arrived, and with it you can make real and lasting progress. Today you’re purposeful, determined, willing and able to do whatever you must.

Now is when life can begin to be the best you can imagine. Today is the day that more things in your life can start to go right.

Stretching out in front of you are countless possibilities. Let them energize you, motivate you, push you into action.

You have no reason to hold yourself back any longer. You have every reason to add new joy, purpose, meaning and fulfillment to life.

In this moment, allow life to support you, encourage you, and pull you toward the best you can be. Firmly take hold of the opportunity that is now, and show the world how great it is to be alive.

— Ralph Marston

June 24

Energized by the challenges

When everything seems to be going wrong, remember this. Your problems do not define you, and your circumstances do not control you.

Yes, the situation is serious. And yes, you can rise above it.

You can choose a positive intention, and you can choose to act on it. You can rid your mind of doubt, of fear, and do your work with courage and commitment.

The negativity of the moment intimidates you only if you let it. Remind yourself always, you don’t have to let it.

Focus instead on whatever you can do to make a positive difference. Start small, achieve a minor victory, and keep going, keep building on it.

It can be easy to feel overwhelmed by the problems, yet you always have another choice. Decide instead to be energized by the challenges, and activate your ability to transform that energy into achievement.

— Ralph Marston

June 25

Progress to be made

Complaining about what’s wrong won’t make anything better. Move beyond mere complaints, and do the difficult work to create a positive way forward.

Punishing those who are to blame won’t improve the situation. Get past the blaming and turn your attention toward understanding, cooperation, and creating value for everyone involved.

Getting rid of what’s working poorly can leave you with nothing that works at all. See if you can find a way to improve rather than just destroy.

Sometimes it’s necessary to tear it all down and start from scratch. But that’s rarely as simple or straightforward as it sounds.

When the situation is broken, you don’t have to break it even more. Instead, look for what you can salvage, and use that as your starting point.

Avoid the temptation to descend into destruction and retribution. There’s great progress to be made by everyone, so put all your focus on that.

— Ralph Marston

June 26

Ideal situation

Deal with life as you find it, not as you wish it to be. All the while, visualize, plan for, work for, and commit to life as you most want it to be.

Live life where it actually is, pushing persistently toward the best you can imagine. Acknowledge reality with the purpose of improving upon it.

Let your highest vision guide you and inspire you. Let objective facts inform you and instruct you.

There is a way to connect your current situation to your ideal situation. To access that connection, you must be clear, honest, specific.

Be clear about what you have to work with, and honest with yourself about what must be done. Be specific about where you intend to go, and why.

Join rock-solid practicality about the way life is, to your most idealistic vision for how your life can be. It’s a powerful combination.

— Ralph Marston

Always aim high, always remember to let go and let God. Stay true to your plans.
I love this part of this daily reading so much! Join rock-solid practicality about the way life is, to your most idealistic vision for how your life can be. It’s a powerful combination.
Peace.