7 Powerful Reminders to Focus on What Matters

1. The quality of your life in the long run directly depends upon how you set and respect your priorities today.

2. At times, you have to say “no” to good things to be able to say “yes” to important things. You can’t do it all. Be mindful and choose wisely.

3. “I don’t have time,” is really just another, perhaps politer, or perhaps naive, way of saying, “It is not that important to me.”

4. Don’t waste your time and energy fighting against where you are. Invest your time and energy into getting to where you want to go. And even if you have a good reason to be upset and resentful, let it go. Channel your energy into thoughts and actions that actually benefit your life right now. 

5. Be present with what matters most. There are few joys in life that equal a good conversation, a good story, a good laugh, a good hug, or a good friend.

6. Overcommitting is the biggest mistake most people make against living a happier, simpler life. It’s tempting to fill in every waking minute of the day with to-do list tasks or distractions. Don’t do this to yourself. Leave space.

7. You should sit quietly for fifteen minutes today to gather your thoughts and review your priorities, unless you’re too busy, in which case you should sit for an hour. Remember this. The world is as you are inside.

(MARCANDANGEL).

5 Things I Hope You Remember On Your Bad Days

That we all have bad days. Days when we are not up for it, when our our spirit sag, when our strength fail us and when our self esteem wallow in the gutters. Somedays we are the hammer, some days we are the nail. Wisdom is to take it all in your stride. Don't let your head deceive you that you are in the mess alone. Life is fair in some matters and it does give everyone his own measure of bad days. On days like this, remember why you started, envisage the end and remind yourself that we are all in this together.

That there is a purpose to the drama, and there must be a lesson in the chaos. Bad days always come to teach us something. Listen for the subtle lessons and be watchful for the finest nuggets. Pain always come to teach us something. Beyond the negativity, there is something in it for you. Your bad days would have been a shame if you learnt nothing from them.

That we are suppose to 'become' by what we go through and that the bad days would have been wasted if it doesn't change us. One of the greatest things that should happen to us with any of life's experiences is what we become by that experience. Your bad days should change you for the better. It should teach you things about yourself, it should keep you circumspect and it should truly make you a better person.

That you cut people some slack and never take it personal. On our bad days, we are often on the edge. So edgy that it only takes a twinge to set us ablaze. On our bad days, we want others to cut us some slack. It is this same slack that we must give others on their bad days. Don't take it personal because it's never personal. One of life's most liberating lesson is to understand that people ultimately do things for and because of themselves, not because of you. Whatever you do, never forget this.

That you will ultimately be fine. It doesn't matter how severe your grief is today, it doesn't matter how deep your pain cut, it doesn't how loud you wail now. See, you will be fine when all is said and done. It is a cliche but it is also a truism that tough times never last, tough people do. So, chin up, wear your zing on your sleeves, set the spring in your steps, walk upright, return the smile to your face and recreate your hope. You will be fine in the final analysis; don't let the bad days fool you.