Time is a dressmaker specializing in alterations. —Faith Baldwin
Change surrounds us. It lies within us, too. The trees in the yard have changed. They've grown taller. Their leaves die and scatter on the ground in the fall. We don't resemble our baby pictures much anymore, either. Like trees, we've grown up. As babies, we couldn't walk. But we learned to run, ride bikes, and go out alone to movies and parties. Some changes we don't notice while they're going on. The snow melts; the birds fly south; our hair grows a little every day. Other changes startle us. A best friend moves away. Perhaps a favorite grandparent dies. These changes we wish hadn't happened, and we have to remember that change is as natural as breathing. We can't keep it from happening, but we can trust that change never means to harm us. It's a sign we're growing up.
Today I will remember that change brings opportunity.
From Today's Gift: Daily Meditations for Families ©
There is a general reluctance on the part of most people to forgive old injuries. Some of us wasted lots of time brooding about old wrongs done to us or trying to get even for some past injuries.
But the only way we can ever really get even is to forgive others completely and without the slightest hidden reservation. If we haven't forgiven others, the old resentments are a poison in our own lives. We continue to feel the pain of the original injury, and the ensuing resentment destroys our peace of mind and endangers our relationships.
In forgiving others, we do not grant a favor to them, but to ourselves. By extending forgiveness, we release thoughts and feelings that have been like a cancer in our lives. We are not giving up a possession or a right; instead, we are freeing ourselves from a burden that nobody needs to carry. We are letting go of garbage that we do not need in our lives. When we forgive others, we also realize that we are forgiven. As it is stated in closing meetings, "Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us."
So our troubles, we think, are basically of our own making.
They arise out of ourselves, and the alcoholic and addict is an extreme example
of self-will run riot, though she or he usually doesn't think so.
Above everything, we alcoholics ansd addicts must be rid of this selfishness.
We must, or it kills us! Our Higher power makes that possible.
- Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 62
Thought to Ponder . . .
If I self-forget I find.
AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
W I S D O M = When Into Self, Discover Our Motives.
Daily Motivation
Made to make a difference
Doing only what is easy and convenient, comfortable and free of challenge, doesn’t get you very far. Chasing after something for nothing ends up getting you nothing of real value.
In order to experience true fulfillment in any undertaking, you must invest yourself in it. It is your active participation and contribution to life that makes it so good to live.
If you continually take the easy way out, avoiding effort, challenge and commitment, you’ll end up being very disappointed. You are made to make a difference, so embrace every opportunity to do so.
You are here to participate, not just to observe. The true joy you feel will come not from meaningless possessions or empty pleasures, but from creating and expressing and experiencing the goodness of life in your own unique way.
Don’t waste your precious time in a fruitless attempt to get something for nothing. In every moment there are plenty of opportunities to create real value that flows from the authentic beauty of who you are.
Your deepest desires and your most difficult problems are challenging you to make a positive difference. Do yourself a big favor, accept the challenge, make the effort, and create the true fulfillment that is your destiny.
— Ralph Marston
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