... the major rule in the American belief system - that anyone can do anything ... is a lie that we have perpetuated, and it fosters mediocrity. Knowing what you're good at and doing even more of it creates excellence.
M. J. RyanAs any gardener will tell you, the cycles of nature require patience...Even a fast-growing vegetable like a radish requires time.
M. J. RyanAt each level of gratitude our soul's capacity deepens, starting with contentment to meaningfulness, and finally, to pure joy.
M. J. RyanIn every single moment, we have the choice to be happy or not. No matter what is going on, we can choose to focus on what is right, what is good and whole in ourselves and our lives, and what options we have in any given situation. In other words, we can choose to be happy no matter what.
M. J. RyanI learned that you don't have to be saddled for life with the mental attitudes you adopted in early childhood. All of us are free to change our minds, and as we change our minds, our experiences will also change.
M. J. RyanGratitude makes us feel bursting with delight, just to remember the gifts we have received. Thus we are doubly blessed when we receive something: for the gift itself and later, in recall, for the miracle of having been given it.
M. J. RyanGratitude is a feeling of fullness, a recognition of the heart of what we are receiving in this moment.
M. J. RyanTake a deep breath and think of the three things you are grateful for, right in this moment.
M. J. RyanWhenever we are appreciative, we are filled with a sense of well-being and swept up by the feeling of joy.
M. J. RyanGratitude is like a flashlight. It lights up what is already there. You don't necessarily have anything more or different, but suddenly you can actually see what it is. And because you can see, you no longer take it for granted.
M. J. RyanWe can't wait until everything is OK-with us or with the rest of the world-to feel thankful, or we will never experience joy at all.
M. J. RyanLike so many other positive acts, it turns out that hugging boosts our immune system. Plus it just plain feels good! So hug someone today, perhaps a person who seems particularly in need.
M. J. RyanPatience is no small, fell-good personal quality. It is at the heart of diplomacy and civility, lawfulness and civil order. Without it, people can't work together and society can't function at all. With it, we create the possibility of peace between people and between nations.
M. J. RyanHere's a practice for dealing with envy...each time you find yourself envious of someone...ask yourself, "What is there that I am noticing in the other person that I want to find in myself?"...If it's money, is it the freedom? The cance to play that money buys? A sense of security? Whatever it is-more play, a sense of security, free time-you can work on getting more of it in your life, no matter what the circumstances.
M. J. RyanGratitude helps us to return to our natural state of joyfulness, where we notice what's right instead of what's wrong. It makes us feel complete, that we have everything we need, at least in this moment.
M. J. RyanSpiritual leaders teach that waking up is a process, that it doesn't just happen once and for all, but must occur again and again when we realize we have forgotten the miracle of being alive, and in recognizing our forgetfulness, we wake to the miracle once again. In the moments we are awake to the wonder of simply being alive, gratitude flows, no matter our circumstances.
M. J. RyanWe hold on so tightly that our hands are unavailable to reach out for the happiness we could gain by letting go.
M. J. RyanGratitude helps us love well by keeping us focused on the beauty in our relationship and the person we love.
M. J. RyanGratitude connects us to others and feeling gratitude allows us to be our best selves. When we are truly grateful, we can count on living the life we want
M. J. Ryan