Daily Motivations 10-6-10

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Today's Gift

 

Forgiveness is another word for letting go.
  —Matthew Fox

Learning forgiveness - both granting it to others and accepting it for ourselves - is one of the primary means of a man's spiritual recovery. Many of us, after entering this program, are plagued with strong feelings of guilt. We have finally become accountable, and we see our lives in a new perspective. We long for a chance to undo our mistakes. Many men carry guilt for years as if they deserved to be punished. Our recovery program tells us to let go.

Simply going through the motions of forgiving or accepting forgiveness will not get us very far. We must squarely face our feelings and tell someone so we are no longer alone with our guilt. Then, if there is the possibility for repair without further hurt, we must make repair. In this concrete way we can be genuinely forgiven and fully accept forgiveness. When a man has a spiritual experience like this, he matures and gains the ability to forgive others.

I am grateful for the relief of being forgiven and letting go of past mistakes. I will genuinely let go of my guilt and resentment.

From Touchstones: A Book of Daily Meditations for Men ©

 

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Twenty-Four Hours A Day

 

Keep It Simple
 
We never thought we could get old.---Bob Dylan

Here we are no longer children. Yet we’re not quite grown up either. At least, we don’t always feels grown up. Our program helps us accept the stages of our life. And the child in our heart is getting happier. In some ways, we feel younger everyday.

We’re also starting to feel older and wiser. It feels good. We’re not so afraid of the world, because we’re learning better ways to live in it. We can learn by having friends who teach us to stay young at heart.

 

Prayer for the Day:  Higher Power, help me be the best I can be, at the age I am today.

Action for the Day:  Today, I’ll call an older friend and ask him or her this question: “What’s the most important thing you’ve learned about life since you were my age?”

 

 

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One Day At A Time

 

A Vision for You
Believe more deeply. Hold your face up to the LIght,
even though for the moment you do not see.
- As Bill Sees It, p. 3

Thought to Ponder . . .
Life will take on new meaning.

AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
H O W = Honesty, Open-mindedness, Willingness.

 

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Daily Motivation

 

Solidly on your way

 

You may be tired, or discouraged, or frustrated, or uncomfortable.

 

No matter what, your best option is to move positively forward.

 

Hanging on to past disappointments will only hold you back. Taking comfort in being a victim gives you no real comfort at all.

 

Staying safe by never venturing out, by never taking risks, is the riskiest thing you can do. Because it guarantees that you won't get anything accomplished.

 

It takes effort to move forward, as well as courage and determination. Fortunately, you are filled with courage and determination, and you are able to make whatever effort you choose.

 

Yes, you may feel some fear and trepidation, yet courage is not the lack of fear. Your courage gives you the ability to feel your fear, to listen to what it has to say, to allow it to prepare you, and to move ahead.

 

You know what you desire and you know why you desire it. Set your sights on the goal, and know that you're solidly on your way toward its achievement.

 

-- Ralph Marston