Daily Motivations 4-7-11

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Today's Gift

Adversity introduces a man to himself. —Anonymous

After difficult or challenging times we often say, "I never would have chosen to go through that, but I learned a lot from it." It could be a job situation, a failed relationship, or trouble with the law. When we bump up against something hard something that pushes back at us, our strength is tested, forcing us to draw on unknown reserves. A mountain climber standing on a safe ledge finds it difficult to move forward onto a more frightening spot. After he has completed the route, he looks back and feels good about himself because he met a challenge. We meet these challenges in many ways in our lives, and they help us build our self-respect.

Whatever difficulty is facing us today, we may have to deal with it ourselves, but we do not have to be alone while we do it. We can reach out for support while we do what we must. This difficulty is part of being human and can help us see more fully who we are.

I pray for the courage to face my adversity when I must and the ability to learn from it.

From Touchstones: A Book of Daily Meditations for Men ©

 

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

Twenty-Four Hours A Day

Keep It Simple

To make the world a friendly place One must show it a friendly face.---James Whitcomb Riley

We are beginning to learn that we get what we expect. Why? If we believe that people are out to get us, we'll not treat them well. We will think it's okay to "get them" before they "get us." Then, they'll be angry and want to get even. And on it goes. It's great when we can meet the world with a balance. We are honest people. We can expect others to be fair with us. We get the faith, strength, and courage to do this because of our trust in our Higher Power.

Prayer for the Day: Higher Power, I put my life in Your care. Use me to spread Your love to others.

Action for the Day: Today, I'll spread friendliness. I will greet people with a smile.

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

One Day At A Time

Asking for Help
Putting my ego aside to ask others for help still doesn't come naturally,
so I've made it a part of my Tenth Step inventory, asking,
"Have I failed to ask for help when I needed it today?"
I am astonished how often the answer is yes. Not asking, it seems,
is a deeply ingrained trait, as most of my character defects are.
But the rewards of asking for help -- increased humility, connection, and trust --
are well worth the effort.
- AA Grapevine, April 2011, p. 21

Thought to Ponder . . .
Simply asking for help seems to be a help in itself.

AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
H E L P = Hope, Encouragement, Love, Patience.

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

Daily Motivation

Meet with resistance

It is the resistance of the air that enables an airplane to fly. It is the resistance of the mountain path that provides a foothold upon which to climb.

The resistance you encounter is not there to stop you. On the contrary, that resistance gives you something solid and palpable through which to move.

The faster you go, the more resistance you’ll encounter. So it is by learning to allow and to effectively handle the resistance that you make great progress.

There is nothing unfair about having to put forth effort in order to make your way forward. It is that very effort that enables you to go in the direction you wish to go.

Expect to encounter resistance, and welcome it each time you do. It is a confirmation of the strength you already have, as well as an opportunity to grow even stronger.

Go ahead and plan in advance to meet with resistance, so when the meeting happens it can proceed on your own terms. It is by encountering resistance that you arrive at success.

— Ralph Marston