Daily Motivations 12-24-2010

 

 

Friday, December 24, 2010

Today's Gift

 

 

 

Celebration is a forgetting in order to remember. A forgetting of ego, of problems, of difficulties. A letting go. —Matthew Fox

A holiday presents us men with an opportunity to practice the letting go of this program. This is a special day to set aside our work and our routines, to put our problems and burdens on the shelf. Let us join with others who are also letting go on this day and celebrate. Maybe we can learn from them how they do it.

We may have been too compulsive on past holidays to celebrate. Or perhaps our holidays are clouded with painful memories. We might miss loved ones or we may recall disappointments or the chaos of earlier holidays. There is no need for perfection in our celebration. We can have some tension, or pain, and yet set it aside as we join with others for a special day.

Today, I will set my ego aside and let go of the usual things in my life in order to reach out to others and participate in celebration.

From Touchstones: A Book of Daily Meditations for Men ©

 

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Twenty-Four Hours A Day

 

Walk In Dry Places
 
Self-esteem.

 

Liking Ourselves
It's maybe unsettling to learn that we need to like ourselves more, especially when we've often been accused of being conceited. Being conceited does not mean liking oneself; it's really a matter of being smug and contemptuous in our dealing with others. This attitude is easily recognized by others, and it causes them to dislike us.

However, if we like ourselves in the right way, others sense this too, and they will be drawn to us. We will truly like ourselves more as we learn to practice the principles of AA. We will like the kind of life we are trying to live. We will like ourselves for practicing fairness and honesty. We will also like ourselves for letting people see us as we are and feel comfortable doing so. In liking ourselves, we feel no need to impress or dazzle others.

 

Action for the Day: I'll remember today that I have a right to be in the world. I will do my best to be fair toward others, but I will like myself regardless of their reactions.

 

 

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One Day At A Time

 

Parties
Just one more thing about this matter of drinking occasions.
Many of us have had the guts, if pressure to drink got unpleasantly strong,
simply to make an excuse and leave, no matter what other people may think.
After all, our life is at stake.
We simply have to take whatever steps are necessary to preserve our own health.
Other people's reactions are their problem, not ours.
- Living Sober, p. 70

Thought to Ponder . . .
When I drink or use, my past becomes my future.

AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
A A = Absolute Abstinence.

 

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Daily Motivation

Have a little patience

With yourself, with others, with the flow of events, be patient. Patience makes your life less stressful and your world more peaceful.

Patience requires no effort, and it can bring great benefit, not only for you, but for all those around you. The power of patience is yours the moment you choose it.

Do you really need to argue or agonize endlessly about something that doesn't even matter? There's rarely any useful value to be gained by proving that you're right and someone else is wrong.

Instead of becoming more defensive, become more patient and understanding. Spend the moment in genuine joy rather than in stressful combat.

Instead of letting the little things get to you, just let them pleasantly amuse you. Then quickly and completely let them go.

Listen to your heart instead of being dominated by your ego. Have a little patience, and enjoy a lot of quality experience.

-- Ralph Marston