Daily Motivations 10-14-10

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Today's Gift

 

No man is more cheated than the selfish man. —Henry Ward Beecher

When we're selfish, we close off the channels of exchange with others. Not only are we grabbing and holding all the goods or attention we can get, but we are denying others the possibility of sharing with us in the benefits. We may be selfish in material goods, but there are many other ways too. Some of us expect our spouses to meet our needs while we make little effort to meet theirs. Some of us discover our selfishness as we drive, refusing to yield a position to another car or getting furious if we lose a place in heavy traffic.

By contrast, our generosity and welcoming responses nourish the spirit within us and create a good environment for our growth. Sometimes giving does not come easily. We have a more generous spirit when we are in touch with our ultimate vulnerability. All of life is fragile, and we need each other to have a good life. We can truly hold onto nothing but ourselves. Giving what we can of our time, our energy, and our goods, helps create the kind of world we want to live in.

Today, I will look for ways to be generous with those I share this world with.

From Touchstones: A Book of Daily Meditations for Men ©

 

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Twenty-Four Hours A Day

 

Keep It Simple
 
A baby is God’s opinion that the world should go on. ---Carl Sandburg

Recovery, is also God’s opinion that the world should go on. But when we used alcohol and other drugs, there were days when even the sight of a newborn baby couldn’t bring hope into our hearts. We were spiritually dead. We didn’t care if the world went on. We didn’t care about anything but getting high. Through recovery, our souls come alive.

The beauty of a fall day can reach our hearts. We can see the miracle found in a baby’s eyes. We can see the beauty of the world. We can feel how much we’re loved by our Higher Power and by others. This is how we know we’re alive. Hope fills our minds and love fill our hearts. 

Prayer for the Day:  Higher Power, now that I again believe the world should go on, have me work to improve it. Have me be a person who makes the world more beautiful.

Action for the Day:  Today, I’ll notice the children and babies around me. I’ll notice how alive they are. I’ll try to be as alive as they are.

 

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One Day At A Time

 

Turning Points

Every day I stand at turning points.
My thoughts and actions can propel me toward growth
or turn me down the road to old habits and to booze.
Sometimes turning points are beginnings, as when I decide to start praising,
instead of condemning someone.
Or when I begin to ask for help instead of going it alone.
- Daily Reflections, p. 15

Thought to Ponder . . .
The road to recovery is always under construction.

AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
A A = Attitude Adjustment.

 

 

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Daily Motivation

 

Beyond stuck

 

You are capable of much more than just getting by. You have it in you to prosper and to triumph.

 

If you feel stuck where you are, that means your dreams haven't been big enough or meaningful enough to push you persistently forward. Use that uncomfortable feeling of being stuck as motivation to expand and to solidly connect with your most authentic dreams.

 

Take full responsibility for what you've done and for where you are. Then take full responsibility and make the commitment to fulfill your most valuable and treasured possibilities.

 

Painful circumstances and periods of misfortune can be very difficult, but they're not what have held you back.

 

What has held you back is that you've chosen to ignore or discount your most compelling reasons for moving forward.

 

If you feel stuck, that means you are ready. That means you know deep within that you must do whatever it takes to bring your dreams to life.

 

Reach inside, touch your true dreams, feel your authentic purpose, and step boldly forward. There's no reason to be stuck for one moment longer.

 

-- Ralph Marston