You should not have your own idea when you listen to someone.... To have nothing in your mind is naturalness. Then you will understand what he says. —Shunryu Suzuki
A person who is mistrustful and self-centered has difficulty listening to someone else. Perhaps someone we are close to wants to be understood by us. But we do not hear them on their own terms because we are so intensely involved with our own shame. So we react to our feelings of guilt rather than really hearing what they want to say about their experience. Or we may be so worried about who has control that we fail to receive the information we are being given. Then we respond with "Yes, but..."
True learning comes - like true intimacy - when we have an open mind. As we detach ourselves, separate from our own ego, we hear the other person better and grow more intimate.
May I learn to set aside my own self-centeredness. Today, I will grow more if I set my ego aside when others are talking to me.
From Touchstones: A Book of Daily Meditations for Men©
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Twenty-Four Hours a Day
That which is called firmness I a king is called stubbornness in a
donkey. ---Lord Erskine
“Rigid” is a fancy word for “stubborn.” We act this way because
of our fear. When we’re afraid, we hang on to what we’re used to
doing. Our illness had us so scared, we were afraid of the new ideas
and new people. The only thing that didn’t scare us was using alcohol
or other drugs.
We also were stubborn when anyone tried to help us. We thought we
knew what was best. How silly our stubborn actions made us look!
How lonely they kept us.
But our stubborn behavior can teach us about our fears. We need to
be aware our stubbornness. Then we’ll be able to find out what we’re
afraid of---and do something about it.
Prayer for the Day: Higher Power, help me know when I’m stubborn.
I will use it to learn what I am afraid of today.
The tremendous fact for every one of us
is that we have discovered a common solution.
We have a way out on which we can absolutely agree,
and upon which we can join in brotherly and harmonious action.
- Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 17
Thought to Ponder . . .
The solution is simple. The solution is spiritual.
AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
S T E P S = Solutions Through Each Positive Step.
Daily Motivation
Start right now
Don’t wait until you’re ready. Start now.
The circumstances will not be perfect and you won’t get it perfect. Start now, however, and you will get it done.
You’re not going to have everyone’s assistance or approval. You can, however, get the jump on your success and get started right now.
Do you want to waste your time and energy on elaborate excuses or would you rather invest yourself in achievement? Get started now and get the achievement well underway.
You’ve already delayed long enough and there’s no good reason to wait one moment more. The time for action is the time at hand.
You’re standing squarely in the middle of your life’s great and valuable opportunity. Start right now and make all that value yours.
— Ralph Marston
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