Daily Motivations 11-19-2010

Friday, November 19, 2010

Today's Gift

Archie Bunker: What's wrong with revenge? That's a perfect way to get even.   —Norman Lear

 

When we are locked within negative, hostile thinking patterns, we go around in mental circles. What seems perfectly rational to us at the time looks misguided and blind when we look back. Carrying a grudge or a desire to get even with someone is a cancer inside us. It belittles us and holds back our spirit.

 

We break through our mental circles by revealing our anger to others. We talk with other recovering men and let them know the details of our resentments. We listen to their experiences and apply them in our program. As long as we keep our thoughts and feelings to ourselves, we only recycle the same thinking system. When we take the risk and talk to friends, we build bridges that bring in new ideas.

 

I will not harbor my resentments within myself. I will talk with a trusted friend so I can learn to let them go.

 

 

From Touchstones: A Book of Daily Meditations for Men ©

 

 

*******************************

Twenty-Four Hours A Day

 

Keep It Simple
 
A man is too apt to forget that in this world he cannot have everything. A choice is all that is left him.---H. Mathews.

Sobriety is about choice. Each day we choose to stay sober, we teach ourselves how to make better choices. Life is about choice. To be spiritual people, we must make spiritual choices. Honesty is a spiritual choice. And working the Steps is a spiritual choice.

 

Our life is the sum total of our choices. We owe it to ourselves to choose wisely. We can do that now, thanks to the program.

 

Prayer for the Day:  Higher Power, help me choose a spiritual way of life. Help me to see choice as my way to a better relationship with you.

Action for the Day:  Today, I'll be aware of the many choices I make. At the end of the day, I'll think about all the choices I've made. Am I proud of my choices?

 

***********************

One Day At A Time

 

Self-restraint
Nothing pays off like restraint of tongue and pen.
We must avoid quick-tempered criticism, furious power-driven argument,
sulking, and silent scorn.
These are emotional booby traps baited with pride and vengefulness. . .
We can neither think nor act to good purpose
until the habit of self-restraint has become automatic.
- As Bill Sees It, p. 179

Thought to Ponder . . .
If I am upset, I am the problem.

AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
A A = Accountable Actions.

 

********************

Daily Motivation

 

Born to achieve

 

Where there is a problem, there is a potential achievement. Where there is a challenge, there is the possibility for triumph over that challenge.

 

Moving forward in life is all about creating new value. And the biggest obstacles in your path give you the biggest opportunities to create that value.

 

If you have no problems, that's nice. If you have many problems, that's even better because you also have many pathways to success and fulfillment.

 

Working through those problems is not easy, but then easy is overrated. A life of meaning and fulfillment is infinitely preferable to a life of useless ease.

 

Indeed, you have a driving desire to be useful in your own unique way. You have a driving desire to make a meaningful positive difference, and you're well-equipped to do so.

 

Embrace the challenges with enthusiasm and positive expectation, and put your own special capabilities to work. You are born to achieve, and this is your opportunity to claim your magnificent birthright.

 

-- Ralph Marston