Daily Motivation 11-8-10

Monday, November 8, 2010

Today's Gift

Normally, we do not so much look at things as overlook them.
  —Alan Watts

As we live our very busy lives we might say, "How full and rich my life is!" But are we stopping long enough to look, to take in experiences, digest them, and grow from them? Or is our attention always focused upon the next event? Are we running from one thing to another, never truly being present in the current moment?

For spiritual deepening, many of us men do not need to enrich the events in our lives as much as we need to simplify and quiet ourselves. We need to slow down and look at what is here. At a banquet, we might appreciate a few fine foods served in a tranquil atmosphere more fully than a lavish variety served in a frenzied atmosphere. For today, we are not able to stop the hectic pace of the world, but we can slow ourselves down and notice and reflect upon our experiences. Then they will have meaning and value for us.

Today, I will slow down. I will notice what my experiences are and give myself time to look.

From Touchstones: A Book of Daily Meditations for Men ©

 

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Twenty-Four Hours a Day

 

Keep It Simple
 
Any man may make a mistake; none but a fool will persist in it.---Cicero.

The way we face life's challenges is what gives meaning to our lives. If we run from our mistakes, they follow us. If we stand up and work with them, we learn. Facing our mistakes teaches us wisdom and courage. Our self-respect grows. Spiritual growth means asking, “How would my Higher Power want me to deal with this mistake?” Then we listen for the answer and do what is needed. The better we get at facing our mistakes, the better we become at learning from them. Native American culture teaches us that all mistakes in life are gifts. The gift is that we are given a chance to learn.

Prayer for the Day:  Higher Power, help me face the mistakes of life and find the lessons that lie within them.

 

Action for the Day:  When I make a mistake, I'll stop and ask, "What does my Higher Power want me to learn from this?”

 

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One Day At A Time

 

Today
Today is the day. Doing our best, living each day to the fullest is the art of living.
Yesterday is gone, and we don't know whether we will be here tomorrow.
If we do a good job of living today, and if tomorrow comes for us,
then the chances are we will do a good job when it arrives
-- so why worry about it?
- Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 357

Thought to Ponder . . .
Every day is a gift. That is why we call it the present.

AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
J F T = Just For Today

 

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Daily Motivation

 

Getting it perfect

 

There is often great beauty to be found in imperfection. No tree is perfectly straight, no mountain peak perfectly symmetrical, and yet the world is filled with beautiful mountains, trees and other magnificently imperfect things.

 

When a friend is hurting, you don't have to put together the perfect combination of words to let that person know you care. All you must do is speak from the heart.

 

When there is a challenge facing you, it's not necessary to come up with a perfect solution. Effective, focused, appropriate action will do just as well.

 

It's fine for perfection to be your goal. Just don't let the lack of perfection be an excuse for doing nothing.

 

There are countless good and valuable things in life that are far short of perfect. In fact, if everything were always perfect, life would not be nearly so interesting.

 

Certainly you always want to do your best. Just make sure that getting it done takes priority over getting it perfect.

 

-- Ralph Marston