Thursday, January 5, 2012
Today's Gift
. . and, when the time comes to let it go, . . . let it go. —Mary Oliver
If we all let go of one thing we like, and take instead each other's hand; if we all let go of three minutes each day, and find instead a few perfect words for someone in the house; if we all withhold our judgments for one hour, and reveal during that time one of our own small secret sins; if we all skip the same meal each week, and spend the time together in the park; would we have less or more than what we started with?
It is one of the great and pleasing mysteries of life that we gain by giving things up.
Instead of grabbing things or demanding from others if we give something up, we leave a space for something new to enter our lives.
From Today's Gift: Daily Meditations for Families ©
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Twenty-Four Hours a Day
Keep It Simple
Instead of concentrating on why we can't do a thing, we would be wise to change our "Yes, but . . ." attitude to a more positive one. Saying "yes" means I really do want to change my life for the better. --Liane Cordes
We truly can do these things that are our "hearts' pure desires." However, most of us look at the whole task and feel overwhelmed. We need, instead, to look at the task's many parts. One part at a time, one day at a time, we can accomplish any goal we set for ourselves. I know a recovering woman who wrote a 300-page dissertation, the final achievement to obtain her PhD. When asked at a meeting how she ever did it, her reply was, "One word at a time." That's wonderful advice. No matter how many goals were missed or plans dashed when we were still using, now that we are recovering, each of us can do whatever is in our hearts--if we do it little by little, not all at once, today.
Action for the Day: Today, I will do one small task that will contribute toward the achievement of a life goal.
And what is time to me now? It is a most precious asset.
I have the luxury of being able to cherish the memory of yesterday,
to live today with serenity, to wait for tomorrow.
I find great contentment in just knowing where I was and where I am.
- The Best of the Grapevine [Vol. 2], p. 21
Thought to Ponder . . .
I am grateful for this minute. My eternity may be in it.
AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
O D A A T = One Day At A Time.
Daily Motivation
Where is the best place to start, when you’re determined to make real improvements in your life? Where is the best place to start, when you’re totally committed to following your dream?
The best place to start is precisely where you are. The best time to start is the moment you are in.
As difficult and challenging as your situation may be, in that situation is a way to move forward. From where you are right now, there is a path that leads to precisely where you would like to be.
Don’t waste your time wishing for a more favorable starting point. Instead, make use of the starting point you have, and get going.
Rather than complaining about not having enough, use your creativity and imagination to become more and more effective with what you do have. Devote your energy to creating new value in the present, not to resentment of the past.
This is the best place to start, because this is the place from which you can start right now. From here you can literally go anywhere, so go ahead, take that first step and don’t look back.
— Ralph Marston
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