Daily Motivations 5-7-2010

Friday, May 7, 2010

Today's Gift

The newest computer can merely compound, at speed, the oldest problem in relations between human beings; and in the end the communicator will be confronted with the old problem of what to say and how to say it. —Edward R. Murrow

We may reduce our difficulties with others to communication problems, yet the remedy may remain unclear. How can we become more responsible for our share of the communication? Can we stop blaming others? When we improve in those ways, our relationships get better.

Clear, specific, and direct language will help us be more responsible and less blaming. We can use simple words that expose the truth rather than words that hide or sugarcoat it. We can use specific examples and give details rather than generalities or hints. We can be more direct by using you and me language. In the process, we yield to the truth within ourselves - and become more honest.

Today, I will be aware of communicating clearly, specifically, and directly.

From Touchstones: A Book of Daily Meditations for Men ©1986, 1991 by Hazelden Foundation.

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Twenty-Four Hours A Day

Keep It Simple

So live that you wouldn't be ashamed to sell the family parrot to the town gossip.---Will Rogers
Secrets help keep us sick. In our drinking and using days, we did things we weren't proud of. We lived in a secret world we were ashamed of. This part of the power of addiction. Our behavior and our secrets kept us trapped. Recovery offers us a way out of this secret world. In our groups, we share our secrets, and they lose their power over us. There may be things we're too ashamed to talk about in our groups. When we share these things in our Fifth Step, they lose their power over us.

We have a new life that we're not ashamed to talk about. When shame leaves, pride enters our hearts. We know we're good people!

Prayer for the Day: Higher Power, help me live a good life.

Action for the Day: Do I have any secrets that get in my way? Do I need to do a Fifth Step? If so, I'll pick a date---today.

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One Day At A Time

Defects

If I allow my character defects to rule my life again and forget the AA program,
forget where the power to change for the better comes from,
I will, in the long run, inevitably drink again.
- The Best of the Grapevine [Vol. 3], p. 187

Thought to Ponder . . .
If I want God to remove my character defects, I'll have to stop doing them.

AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
A B C = Acceptance, Belief, Change.

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Daily Motivation

Nothing wrong
There is nothing wrong. There is simply what is, and what you choose to make of it.

If you spend all your energy on judgment, there's no energy left for progress. And judgment doesn't pay the bills.

You have the opportunity to create something beautiful. It starts with accepting and valuing what already is.

Life's energy comes to you, and you can do with it whatever you please. Very little of what comes your way is under your control before it gets to you, but every bit of what you do with it is yours to decide.

Instead of fighting battles that are already over, simply accept that things are as they are. Then look closely with a positive purpose, and you'll find plenty of opportunities for creating meaningful value.

Life is bringing you amazing possibilities right now. Let them come, let them be, and find joy in making the very best of them.

-- Ralph Marston