Friday, December 10, 2010
Today's Gift
We are what we are. -Motto of Lake Wobegon, Garrison Keillor
Sometimes we devote so much effort to being what we are not, that we lose the chance to be what we are. We have one identity for this person and another for that one. Our co-workers, neighbors, friends, and family all expect different things of us, leaving us wondering who we actually are. How can we be so many different things to so many people?
Our Higher Power wants us to be only who we are. We were created with unique characteristics for a purpose, even if that purpose isn't always clear to us. We need to be who we really are, and to be the best we can be, knowing that our Higher Power approves because our Higher Power created us as we are.
I will be the best me that I know how to be.
Sometimes we devote so much effort to being what we are not, that we lose the chance to be what we are. We have one identity for this person and another for that one. Our co-workers, neighbors, friends, and family all expect different things of us, leaving us wondering who we actually are. How can we be so many different things to so many people?
Our Higher Power wants us to be only who we are. We were created with unique characteristics for a purpose, even if that purpose isn't always clear to us. We need to be who we really are, and to be the best we can be, knowing that our Higher Power approves because our Higher Power created us as we are.
I will be the best me that I know how to be.
You are reading from the book:
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Twenty-Four Hours A Day
Keep It Simple
Kindness in giving creates love. --Lao-tzu.
In our illness, we takers. Now, we've changed this around. We are now givers. Giving is a big part of recovery. Our word for it is service. Our program is based on care, respect, and service. Our program tells us to “practice these principles in all our affairs." No matter if it's getting to our meeting early to put on the coffee, or going on a Twelfth Step call, we are giving of ourselves. We give so that we know we can make a difference. We give so that we can know how to love better. The healing power of recovery is love. As we give love and kindness to others, we heal. Why? Because people grow by giving kindness and love to others.
Kindness in giving creates love. --Lao-tzu.
In our illness, we takers. Now, we've changed this around. We are now givers. Giving is a big part of recovery. Our word for it is service. Our program is based on care, respect, and service. Our program tells us to “practice these principles in all our affairs." No matter if it's getting to our meeting early to put on the coffee, or going on a Twelfth Step call, we are giving of ourselves. We give so that we know we can make a difference. We give so that we can know how to love better. The healing power of recovery is love. As we give love and kindness to others, we heal. Why? Because people grow by giving kindness and love to others.
Prayer for the Day: Higher Power with Your help I'll be a kind and loving giver. I'll look for way to share Your kindness.
Action for the Day: Today, I'll list five ways I can be of service to others. I'll put at least one of these ways into action today.
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One Day At A Time
Mutual Pain
In my AA experience,
I have never met a member who has not experienced some degree of pain.
I have never met anyone who decided to come into the program
on a beautiful morning in spring when everything was going well.
Most of us entered on our knees, and the sharing of this mutual pain
is a large part of what brings us back to meetings.
- The Best of the Grapevine [Vol. 2], p. 186
Thought to Ponder . . .
When I share my story and remember the last days of my drinking,
I remember the desperation of selling the last pieces of my soul.
AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
E S H = Experience, Strength and Hope.
In my AA experience,
I have never met a member who has not experienced some degree of pain.
I have never met anyone who decided to come into the program
on a beautiful morning in spring when everything was going well.
Most of us entered on our knees, and the sharing of this mutual pain
is a large part of what brings us back to meetings.
- The Best of the Grapevine [Vol. 2], p. 186
Thought to Ponder . . .
When I share my story and remember the last days of my drinking,
I remember the desperation of selling the last pieces of my soul.
AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
E S H = Experience, Strength and Hope.
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Daily Motivation
Live in a beautiful world
Life is so robustly interconnected that you cannot possibly know all the consequences of the actions you take.
What you can know for sure is that even the small things you think, say and do will have a big influence on your world.
You are far more powerful than you will ever realize. So it is important to always make positive use of that power.
Even the little things you do can end up changing the world. So even when it doesn't seem to matter much at all, be sure to do your very best.
Live each moment authentically, true to your highest values. You cannot deceive the massive connected web that is life, so be as honest and sincere as you can.
What you do, what you think, and what you say all goes out from you, and the farther it spreads, the bigger it gets. Then, much of it comes back to you, even though you may not recognize it.
If you wish to live in a beautiful world, be beautiful yourself, without ceasing, and create that world. It all matters very much, so do it all with great love and positive purpose.
-- Ralph Marston
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