Daily Motivation 4-4-11

Monday, April 4, 2011

Today's Gift

What is obvious to me is that we did not create ourselves... life is something inside of you. You did not create it. Once you understand that, you are in a spiritual realm. —Virginia Satir

We do not belong to ourselves, but to the universe. No man planned to come into existence; he just happened to find himself here. We are the expressions of a life force whose beginnings are in the forgotten past. What does this mean on a practical level for how we will live today? For one thing, maybe we don't need to take ourselves so seriously. And we certainly are not to judge our existence. We have a right to be here, just as everyone does.

We can live this day fully and not hold ourselves back. We may work hard, play, and enjoy it. We need not rein in or attempt to control this force, which so far exceeds our individual powers. Rather, today we can learn to flow with the current.

Today, may I remember my Higher Power is within every cell of my being, whether I notice it or not.

From Touchstones: A Book of Daily Meditations for Men ©

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Twenty-Four Hours a Day

 

Keep It Simple

Pray without resentment in your heart. ---The Little Red Book
Resentment is anger that we don't want to turn over to our Higher Power.
Sometimes we want to keep our anger. Maybe we want to "get even." it's hard to be spiritual and full of anger at the same time. When we hold on to anger, it turns into self-will. We get angry from time to time. This is normal. But we now have a program to help us let go of anger. We also know that stored-up anger can drive us back to alcohol and other drugs. Instead of trying to "get even," let's work at keeping anger out of our hearts.

Prayer for the Day: I pray without anger in my heart. Higher Power, I give You my anger. Have me work for justice, instead of acting like a judge.

 

Action For the Day: I'll list any resentments I now have. I'll talk about them at my next meeting. This is the best way to turn resentments over to my Higher Power.
 

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One Day At A Time

 

Hope
Hope is the priceless ingredient for recovery. . .
Upon the alcoholic's first contact with AA, as he looks around the room
and sees men and women respectably clothed and in their right minds,
enjoying themselves, that flicker of hope begins to burn.
And he says to himself, "If these jokers can do it, I can."
The first need, beyond any other, is hope. Without it, there is nothing.
- The Best of the Grapevine [Vol. 1], pp. 156-157

Thought to Ponder . . .
Hope sees the invisible, feels the intangible, and achieves the impossible.

AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
H O P E = Heart Open; Please Enter.
 

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Daily Motivation

Feel your strength

Remind yourself how strong you can be. And then put that strength to good and meaningful use.

When you’re tempted to think that circumstances have made you their victim, stop and reframe that thought. See the reality that those circumstances have given you immense opportunity.

Instead of feeling sorry for yourself, feel thankful for the purposeful strength that is yours. Instead of running or hiding from the difficult challenges, let those challenges bring your strength to life.

Feel your strength in action as you confidently step forward and do what must be done. Feel the effectiveness of your strength as your efforts bring results.

Feel your strength as it becomes more present and apparent with each action you take. Feel that strength grow even stronger as you infuse it with positive purpose.

See each effort not just as an effort, but as a reminder of what a difference you can make. Feel your strength and feel the joy of using it to move life forward.

— Ralph Marston