Daily Motivation 8-16-11

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Today's Gift

 

Resolve to be thyself; and know, that he who finds himself, loses his misery. --Matthew Arnold

 

We all have known the braggarts, the boastful ones who constantly toot their own horns. These people crave approval because they don't yet approve of themselves. There are those who do the same thing but they're not so noisy about it. The girl who says she's ugly even though she's pretty, or the guy who says he's dumb even though he isn't. These are not humble people. They are people who need to learn to approve of themselves.

 

We don't have to be either of these people now. We can honestly look at ourselves and see our strengths and weaknesses for what they are. We don't have to put ourselves down today. Best of all, we can now accept compliments graciously.

 

Today I will make an effort to accept myself.

 

You are reading from the book:

Our Best Days by Nancy Hull-Mast

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Twenty-Four Hours a Day

 

Walk In Dry Places

Respecting others

 

Who is the Key person?
The Twelve Step movement grew out of a society that practiced a Key Person strategy; If you
could win important persons into your group, others of high
standing would follow.

 

The experience of Alcoholics Anonymous led a different
strategy: Work with anybody who wants help, and let leaders
appear as they will. The leaders, whom we call
trusted servants, were sometimes very ordinary people in the
eyes of the world. Some were like Bill W., people of great ability
whose careers had been wrecked by alcoholism.

In any case, it is obvious that we are poor judge of who might become a
key person. In the sight of God, we're told, all humans
are equal. Our best success comes when we treat every newcomer as a
key person.

 

Action for the Day: I'll remember today to view every person with the respect and
consideration that is usually extended to people whom the world considers
important.

 

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One Day At A Time

Emotional Security
It became clear that if we ever were to feel emotionally secure
among grown-up people,
we would have to put our lives on a give-and-take basis;
we would have to develop a sense of being in partnership
or brotherhood with all those around us.
We saw that we would need to give constantly of ourselves without demands
for repayment. When we persistently did this we gradually found
that people were attracted to us as never before.
- Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, p. 116

Thought to Ponder . . .
Growing old is inevitable, growing up is optional,
growing spiritually is up to me.

AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
T L C = Tears, Laughter, Caring.

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Daily Motivation

Change of focus

Don’t waste your time complaining about what brings you down. Instead, get yourself away from it in whatever way you can.

If you’re in a negative pattern, break the pattern by establishing a new, more meaningful, positive and empowering one. Doing what you’ve always done will continue to get you what you’ve always gotten, and to get a change you must make a change.

Reach inside and reacquaint yourself with what you truly care about. Your authentic purpose is far more important than keeping up old habits or superficial appearances.

This is your life and this is your opportunity to do something positive about it. You are far more powerful than you’ve allowed yourself to be.

Decide to use that power in the service of what is most important to you. Though a change of focus will initially be frightening and uncomfortable, you will soon feel you’re right where you belong.

The beautiful possibilities are calling. Now is your moment to focus your life upon, and to allow, what really matters.

— Ralph Marston