November 28

Let life sink in

Have the courage and wisdom to spend time alone, thinking. Give yourself the chance to let life sink in, to make sense of what you learn and experience.

If someone handed you twenty million dollars in cash, would you simply set it aside and rush ahead to the next encounter? No, you would take the time to deposit the funds into your bank account.

The wealth of data you receive each day requires the same sort of diligence. You must integrate its value into the structure of your life and your purpose.

That takes thought, and time, and focus, and care. Absent such diligence, all the stimulation and information in the world is useless to you.

Of course you don’t want to spend all your time just contemplating. Seek to find an optimum balance between thinking about life and putting your thoughts into living practice.

Engage, observe, and act in the real world. Then on a regular basis, give focused thought to all you’ve learned and experienced, so as to make the best of it going forward.

— Ralph Marston

November 29

Act on inspiration

Many treasures and experiences you must earn before you attain. Inspiration is the other way around.

When something inspires you, in the moment of inspiration you become obligated to then earn that inspiration. You do so with inspired action.

As powerful as inspiration is, it can also be debilitating if you seek to linger indefinitely in awe. Stop congratulating yourself on having the good fortune of being inspired, and step forth to do something useful with that inspiration.

Inspiration fills you with energy in a unique and compelling way. So rather than allowing that energy to be drained away and wasted, connect the inspiration you feel to a purpose you know.

Doing so enables you to be inspired in a meaningful direction and to take specific actions. You can layer action on top of inspiration and inspiration on top of action, again and again.

Inspiration puts you in a state of high energy. With a clear and positive purpose, transform that energy into lasting goodness.

— Ralph Marston

November 30

Your presence

For yourself, for others, be there, be present. Of all the things you can offer, your presence is likely to matter the most.

Whether it’s peaceful or hectic, desirable or not, be truthful about where you are. Express that truth with your attention, your acceptance, your presence.

If you’re not sure what to say or do, just be you, authentic. Let the moment exist and let yourself be fully in it, as it comes, as it is.

You dream, you plan, you remember, you speculate and wonder. Yet all those things are faint shadows cast by your mind on the reality of where you are, of now.

Treasure what has been, love what could be, while you live what is. With your presence, transcend time, space, thought, feeling, and bring it all into the miracle of your existence in this moment.

Every thought is possible, and no thought is necessary. Give and experience the beauty of your presence.

— Ralph Marston