Daily Motivation 3-29-11

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Today's Gift

Drag your thoughts away from your troubles . . . by the ears, by the heels or any other way you can manage it. It's the healthiest thing a body can do. —Mark Twain

It requires very little effort - and no imagination - to start feeling sorry for ourselves. Often, it is easy to feel sorry for ourselves in our families. Instead of being inspired by the sports talents of an older brother, the popularity of a lovely sister, or the fame of a parent or relative, we often take the easier attitude: "I'm denied all that he or she has."

If we work hard at developing our own abilities so that we can excel, we will find ourselves proud of, and applauding, what others do. If a personal problem brings us self-pity, we must remind ourselves that all people have problems. We can cope as well as the best of people if we learn from them and think positively.

Who among those close to me can I be proud of today?

From Today's Gift: Daily Meditations for Families ©

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Twenty-Four Hours a Day

Keep It Simple

Whatever is in the heart will come up to the tongue.—Persian proverb

During our illness, we wouldn’t let people get close to us. We spoke of what was in our heart. And much of what filled our heart was sadness, anger, and hopelessness. Those who want to be close to us heard what was in our heart. In short, we had become our illness. Recovery is about changing what’s in our heart. We open our hearts up to our Higher Power. The first three Steps are about honesty and needing others. They’re about turning our will and our lives over to a Higher Power.

If you’re wondering where you are with these Steps, listen to the words you speak.

Prayer for the Day: Higher Power, keep my heart open to the first three Steps.

Action for the Day: Today, I’ll work at really listening to what I have to say.

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One Day At A Time

Growing Up
The ideas that got so deeply embedded in our lives during drinking
do not all disappear quickly, as if by magic,
the moment we start keeping the plug in the jug.
Our days of wine and "Sweet Adeline" may be gone, but the malady lingers on.
- Living Sober, p. 70

Thought to Ponder . . .
Maturity is the ability to make a decision and follow through.

AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
S O B E R = Staying Off Booze Enjoying Recovery.

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Daily Motivation

Be well on your way

If you’re uncertain, your action will make you much more certain. If you’re not sure how, your action will enable you to quickly learn.

When you’re feeling discouraged, action will focus your mind in a more positive, productive and creative direction. In circumstances that seem overwhelming, action gives you a welcome sense of control.

Take action, and you’ll quickly go from where you are to a perspective that’s highly positive and effective. Take action, and even the most intimidating challenges become more manageable.

It’s good to think through what you will do, but don’t overdo it. At some point all that thinking becomes counterproductive.

No, the circumstances are not perfect, but then they will never be. Go ahead and take action, from where you are, with what you have.

It is not the condition of the place you start, but rather the journey itself, that gets you where you want to be. Go ahead now, take action, and soon you’ll be well on your way.

— Ralph Marston