Daily Motivation 10-26-11

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Today's Gift

 

Anger helps straighten out a problem like a fan helps straighten out a pile of papers. --Susan Marcotte

 

Some of us have temper tantrums. Like black clouds, we threaten an outburst at any moment. Other people learn to check us out for storm warnings. They want time to clear out or at least to put on a protective covering. We've caught them by surprise before, and they didn't like it. Now they've learned to watch out - to stay on their toes when we're around. Intimidating people, making them glad when we're not around so they can relax, is a poor way to relate to others.

 

And what do the outbursts do for us? Is there a cheap sense of power or control for a few minutes? Are we advertising to the world that we're short on coping skills? Or do we tell ourselves that letting off steam is necessary once in a while, conveniently forgetting the steam blasting in other people's faces?

 

No tirade ever solved a problem. Anger is not a strategy. We don't have the right to rain on other people's parades. Our program can teach us better ways to deal with our anger - with honesty and fairness to ourselves and others.

 

Today, I ask my Higher Power for a peaceful and honest heart.

 

From the book: Days of Healing, Days of Joy by Earnie Larsen and Carol Larsen Hegarty

 

 

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Twenty-Four Hours a Day

 

Keep It Simple

 

The universal human yearning [is] for something permanent, enduring, without shadow of change. --Willa Cather

The specter of change builds dread in most of us. We fear the effects on our personal lives. We lack faith that the impending change will benefit us. Only time can assure us of that. And it will, just as every change we've survived up to now has done.

Changes are gifts, really. They come as hallmarks to our present attainments. They signify successful growth. How we struggle to understand this, and how quickly we forget it once we have adapted to the change. The struggle is then repeated the next time change visits us.

We long for permanence, believing it guarantees security, not realizing the only real security available to us comes with our trust in our selves and our Higher Power, from whom all change comes as a blessing on the growth we've attained. If we were to experience total lack of change, we'd find death. Life is challenge, continued change, always endurable and growth-enhancing. We can reflect on what's gone before, and trust that which faces us now.

Action for the Day: Change means I am progressing, on course. Today I will allow change to happen in my life.

 

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One Day At A Time

 

In Any Format
I'm thrilled that at any hour I can find someone to talk to.
Twice this week, I've had tormented thoughts at three A.M.
Do I have to phone and wake someone for support?
No, because other sober insomniacs are online,
ready to help me make it through the night.
I didn't want a drink, I just needed the loving support of the Fellowship.
Knowing I can talk and apply the Steps to my chaotic thoughts and feelings
at three A.M. makes a wonderful world of difference to me.
- Thank You for Sharing, p. 71

Thought to Ponder . . .
Modem-to-modem or face-to-face,
AA's speak the language of the heart.

AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
A A = Always Awesome.

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Daily Motivation

Enjoy life

By enjoying who you are, you bring out the best you can be. When you enjoy what you’re doing, what you’re doing will create great value.

When you find something to truly enjoy about where you are, you also find new and rewarding possibilities. By enjoying the moment you’re in, you bring unique richness to your life.

It’s not the situation itself that determines whether or not life is enjoyable. It’s the way you choose to respond to the situation.

Enjoyment is not a certain, pre-defined set of circumstances. Enjoyment is a choice.

The more conditions you put on your enjoyment of life, the less time you’ll spend experiencing enjoyment. Instead of weighing down your enjoyment with arbitrary conditions, set it free by making it unconditional.

Enjoy life, wherever you are and whatever you’re doing, just because you can. Enjoy life as it is, and your enjoyment makes it better and better.

— Ralph Marston