Thursday, July 22, 2010
Today's Gift
Suffering is a journey, which has an end. —Matthew Fox
Pain is part of life. To live a masculine spiritual life, we need a way to understand the suffering we sometimes endure. Looking back at other difficult times can give us a better perspective of the pain we feel today. All of us can recall a loss or a sudden difficult change that we never would have chosen for ourselves. Perhaps it brought us face to face with insecurities or doubts about our survival. Now, after the suffering has ended, we see how much we grew. We changed; we were strengthened and, perhaps, were liberated by what happened to us.
Thoughts about today's suffering may not be clear as to what good it holds for us. But we are on a journey, and it can only happen one step at a time. We know that journeys teach us great lessons and they do have endings. Our pain today affirms that we are vital and alive people. We know others suffer as we do, and we can turn to each other to give and receive comfort while we are on the journey.
My pain will teach me something I need to know, and it will have an end. I will pay attention to its lessons.
From Touchstones: A Book of Daily Meditations for Men ©
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Twenty-Four Hours A Day
Walk In Dry Places
The Right Work
The Right Place for my Type
"You cannot change your type, but you can make yourself a brilliant success I that type," Wrote Emmet Fox. This is a reminder for people who are discontented with their lot in life, and this includes most people who participate in 12 Step programs.
There are many different TYPES of people, and all types are good. We only need t find where our type is required and then do our best in that place. We will have immediate advantages, because all of our energies and talents will then be applied in the right way. We should never spend a moment envying other types of people who are brilliantly successful in their activities. Our happiness is to be found in our place, not theirs.
Action for the Day: If I'm doing what's right for my type, I'll give it my very best. If I'm in the wrong place, I'll know that my Higher Power is guiding me toward the right outlet for my talents.
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One Day At A Time
Impatience
The slogan "Easy Does It" is one way we AA's remind each other
that many of us have tendencies at times to overdo things,
to rush heedlessly along, impatient with anything that slows us down.
We find it hard to relax and savor life.
~ Living Sober, p. 44
Thought to Ponder . . .
While it isn't always easy, if I keep it simple, it works.
AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
P U T = Patience, Understanding, Tolerance
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Daily Motivation
Your time to begin
The place to start is where you are. The way to start is by doing what you can, with what you know, using what you have.
You may get it wrong at first. But if you wait until you're sure you can get it perfect, you'll never get it done.
The best learning comes from doing. The way to get the experience you seek is to get busy without hesitation.
The longer you wait to get started, the more powerful your doubts will grow. Jump in right away, get going, and those doubts won't have a chance to take hold.
Time always moves forward whether you move forward or not. Your most effective strategy is to make use of each moment as soon as it arrives.
There's no end to what you can accomplish if you'll just go ahead and get going. Now is what you have, so make now your time to begin.
-- Ralph Marston
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