Daily Motivations 8-27-2010

Friday, August 27, 2010

Today's Gift

One cannot always be a hero, but one can always be a man. —Goethe
In our all or nothing and grandiose lifestyles, many of us have had a lot of experience being heroes and being failures. Until we had achieved some sanity we didn't have much experience with being ordinary, genuine men. Many of us thought there was something fundamentally wrong with us. We tried to be great, and when we failed we felt less than human. Our shame in those experiences seemed to say we would never be normal again.

We are learning that being genuine is far more fulfilling than being great. We no longer have to swing between the opposite extremes of hero and coward. When we become honest with ourselves, we develop an internally respectful relationship with ourselves. That is when we become true men. The courage it has taken for us and others on this journey to become honest is heroic in the deepest sense of the word.

As I find the courage to be honest, I will become more genuine.

From Touchstones: A Book of Daily Meditations for Men ©

 

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Twenty-Four Hours A Day

Keep It Simple
 Things do not change, we do. ---Henry David Thoreau

There are still as many bars as there were when we were drinking. There are still lots of drugs around. The world hasn’t changed. What’s changed is that we now live a different way of life.
We’ve learned that, for us, alcohol and other drugs are poison.

For us, there are now two worlds: the world we left behind, and our new world of recovery. In our old world, we’d try to get everyone else to change. We had the right. In our new world, we look for ways we can change for the better. In our new life, we’re willing to change.

Prayer for the Day:  I pray that I may be like a mighty river, always changing.

Action for the Day:  I will list changes I need to make in my new life.

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One Day At A Time

Spirituality

Spirituality is an awakening --
or is it all the loose ends woven together into a mellow fabric?
It's understanding -- or is it all the knowledge one need ever know?
It's freedom -- if you consider fear slavery. It's confidence --
or is it the belief that a higher power will see you through any storm or gale?
. . . It's peace of mind in the face of adversity.
It's a keen and sharpened desire for survival.
- Came To Believe . . ., p. 5

Thought to Ponder . . .
A spiritual awakening is our greatest gift.
AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
K I S S = Keeping It Simple, Spiritually.

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Daily Motivation

Imagine intensely

Imagine yourself filled with energy and enthusiasm. The more vividly you imagine it, the more real that energy and enthusiasm become.

See yourself working with purpose, focus and discipline. Imagine yourself being positive, decisive, and eager to take whatever action is necessary.

Imagine yourself being the person you've always wanted to be. Imagine, in rich and glorious detail, living the life you've always dreamed of living.

Imagine a positive and fulfilling image of yourself, doing what you know is right for you, giving your very best to life. Imagine living each day with positive purpose, love, compassion and effectiveness.

Imagine yourself surrounded by beauty, experiencing true joy and fulfillment. Imagine yourself always finding a way to make a valuable contribution to each and every moment.

Imagine yourself at your absolute best, and hold that image firmly in your mind, day after day and moment by moment. Imagine intensely and persistently, and you will make it be.

-- Ralph Marston