Daily Motivation 11-29-10

Monday, November 29, 2010

Today's Gift

As with expeditions into the wilds when we have endured storms and rapids, cold and sleet, and sometimes lack of food, it is ultimately the good things we remember, not the bad. —Sigurd F. Olson

In our daily lives we often take a very short perspective. We see what is worrisome today, what is pressing hardest, or what is most frightening or confusing. Eventually, we may look back and have a totally different idea about what was truly important on this day.

Let us take a moment now to remember what does endure, what we value most, what counts in the long run. For a brief quiet time we can let go of all the anxieties of this moment. During these few quiet moments, we will identify our tensions and then place them totally into the hands of our Higher Power. This is our time to let go of our worries and be refreshed. It will provide a background of serenity for our day.

Today, help me remember this corner of serenity as I meet the tasks and activities on my path.

From Touchstones: A Book of Daily Meditations for Men ©

 

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Twenty-Four Hours a Day

 

Keep It Simple
 
One is happy as the result of one's own efforts.--- George Sand

Happiness is not an accident. It comes from following the spiritual voice found in each of us. This isn't always easy. Sometimes, the voice tells us to do things we're afraid of. For Example, if we're lonely and the voice tells us to call someone on our phone list, we may make excuses to not do it. Again, the voice may say, "Just make the call. It will be okay." If we follow the voice, we will find happiness.

 

The spiritual voice inside us speaks of care and love. It will never tell us to hurt others or ourselves. It's our Higher Power's voice . It's what Step Eleven calls "conscious contact." If we follow this guiding voice, it will lead us to happiness.

 

Prayer for the Day:  I pray that I'll come to know my Higher Power by listening to the spiritual voice in me.

 

Action for the Day:  Today, I'll meditate and listen to my higher power gentle voice within.

 

 

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One Day At A Time

 

Singleness of Purpose

~ Scroll down for share ~

 

. . . our Society has concluded that it has but one high mission
-- to carry the AA message to those who don't know there's a way out.
- As Bill Sees It, p. 160

Thought to Ponder . . .
Our primary purpose is to stay sober
and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety.

AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
H E A R T = Healing, Enjoying, And Recovering Together.

A MEMBER SHARES:
Hey, I'm Edrie. I'm an alcoholic. Part of what I love about AA is that the principles of the program come to us bit by bit. I really did not comprehend this singleness of purpose in the beginning, especially when we all come in with so much baggage! Why must we focus on alcohol rather than why we drink? We drink because we are alcoholics -- such an amazing concept. Just by coming into a room, virtually or face-to-face, and having people greet you by name, welcome you, offer you their number, even when you're at your complete bottom, the journey begins. Someone asked me once why we "have" to say our name and that we are alcoholic at meetings, and I think that's when it hit me why we have this principal of unity and singleness of purpose -- we say it because that is why we come together, not because of our profession, or ethnic, social or economic background, but because we all need each other -- a Power greater than ourselves. And I am so grateful to have that every single day, all over the world, even here online. Thanks for help keeping me sober today.

 

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Daily Motivation

 

Even so

 

Some days it may seem that your actions are not very effective. Even so, the best thing you can do is to keep doing all you can.

 

Sometimes it may feel that although you care deeply about the world, the world does not care much about you. Even so, it is much better that you continue to care.

 

There will be times when you give all you have, and end up with nothing to show for it. Keep giving though, for the rewards are surely there, even if they are too profound for you to see just yet.

 

The disappointments may sometimes be so painful that you feel like giving up. Remember though, it is your caring that makes the disappointment possible, and that very same caring will pull you up and push you forward.

 

Though you may be reluctant to admit it, you can make any situation into a valuable, successful experience. You can live with love, joy and fulfillment even when everything seems to be pushing against you.

 

The circumstances of this moment may not feel particularly desirable. Even so, there is a beautiful treasure that's yours to give, and yours to live in this very place, on this very day.

 

-- Ralph Marston