Universal Border Solutions

Monday, October 28, 2024

Rely on yourself

Whatever you intend to do, the world will push back in ways you cannot fully anticipate. Things go wrong, and it’s essential for you to figure out how to right them again.

No, that’s not possible every single time. But in most cases you have options, provided you’re well enough prepared.

That means equipping yourself with discipline and fortitude. That means a willingness to be tough, not in a spiteful or malevolent way, but in a way that enables you to move forward.

Those qualities are not just empty platitudes. They serve to advance your own life, the lives of those around you, and everything you care about.

It’s wonderful when you can collaborate and cooperate with others, making contributions and receiving benefits from a larger community. Yet in order to do so, at the end of the day you must be able to rely on yourself.

Embrace the opportunities to strengthen and improve yourself, from your inner constitution to your outer fitness. The best thing you can do for all of life is to continue getting better at living your own.

— Ralph Marston

Saturday, October 26, 2024

Let life be good

Let life be good today. The quality of what you experience is greatly influenced by the way you expect your experience to be.

So expect goodness, offer kindness, and make gratitude your default position. Be eager to tolerate, reluctant to condemn, and mindful of the best possibilities.

Challenge yourself to see the beauty that might otherwise be hidden. Allow even the ordinary moments to fill you with a sense of wonder.

Consider that the problems are so evident because they are so unusual. Recognize that every difficulty offers even greater opportunity.

Your perspective is a powerful filter through which you interpret and experience everything. And your perspective is yours to control.

So choose to see every moment in a way that’s beneficial and fulfilling for you, and for the world around you. Do all of life a big favor, and let it be good today.

— Ralph Marston

Friday, October 25, 2024

Fruitful connections

To the degree you’re trying to impress someone else, you won’t. Certainly people can be genuinely impressed by various things you do, but no one is really impressed by attempts to appear impressive.

Rather than striving to impress, seek to connect. Interact in ways that are authentic, meaningful, interesting and beneficial to the other person, and to you as well.

That often comes from talking less and listening more. It comes from direct questions and honest answers.

To forge a successful connection, avoid making too many assumptions. Accept that the other person’s perspective may very well differ significantly from yours.

Your goal is not to change anyone else, but to identify common ground and build a productive interaction on it. Proceed with respect and with a sincere desire to bring about new value for everyone concerned.

No one will be impressed by how impressive you hold yourself out to be. Yet there’s a world full of people who are eager to join you in real, honest, and fruitful connections.

— Ralph Marston