Daily Motivation 1-6-2012

Friday, January 6, 2012

Today's Gift

There are as many ways to live and grow as there are people. Our own ways are the only ways that should matter to us. —Evelyn Mandel
Wanting to control other people, to make them live as we'd have them live, makes the attainment of serenity impossible. And serenity is the goal we are seeking in this recovery program, in this life.

We are each powerless over others, which relieves us of a great burden. Controlling our own behavior is a big enough job. Learning to behave responsibly takes practice. Most of us in this recovery program have behaved irresponsibly for much of our lives. Emotional immaturity is slow to depart, but every responsible action we take gives us the courage for another - and then another. Our own fulfillment is the by-product of the accumulation of our own responsible actions. Others' actions need not concern us.

Today, I will weigh my behavior carefully. Responsible behavior builds gladness of heart.

From Each Day a New Beginning: Daily Meditations for Women by Karen Casey©

********************************Twenty-Four Hours a Day

Walk In Dry Places

Perfectionism.

No Need to be PerfectWe often declare that we suffered from perfectionism while we were drinking. This did not mean that we did things perfectly or always met high standards. More likely, it meant that we had grandiose ideas of the perfect people we wanted to be, but felt deep inadequacy about our failure to meet these high standards.

While we should develop good standards and values for our lives, we place an impossible demand on ourselves by wanting to be perfect in every way. What is this but a secret desire to be better than others, to occupy a superior position that will enable us to look down on others and, at the same time, to receive their approval and admiration?

In some manufacturing fields, there is a useful saying that serves as a guideline for inspectors: "Good enough is best." If something is good enough for its intended purpose, it may be equal to the best. If my performance and actions this day are good enough, it maybe that they are as good as they have to be or as my Higher Power wants them to be.

Action for the Day: I will not expect impossible things from myself today. I will meet reasonable standards without permitting myself to become tense or strained.

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One Day At A Time

Inner Voice
Long before nagging and pressures from others
concerning my excessive use of alcohol or drugs made any impression on me,
the nagging voice of conscience -- my own inner voice of truth and right --
apprised me of the irrevocable fact that I had lost control of alcohol or drugs,
that I was powerless.
I know now that the inner voice was my Higher Power speaking.
- Came To Believe . . . p. 83

Thought to Ponder . . .
If I think I am an alcoholic or addict, chances are I am.
AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
G I F T = God Is Forever There.

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Daily Motivation

Even if

Even if the challenges are immense and the obstacles are many, step forward and live the life you choose to live. Your dreams are worth every effort.
Even if you get knocked down again and again, get right back up and get going. With enough persistence, any goal is within your reach.
Even if no one believes you, insist on being truthful. Keep the power of truth always on your side.
Even if you can’t see all the way to the end of the road, go ahead and take the first step. Each time you make some progress, you’ll find new ways to make even more.
Even if your results fall short of your expectations, keep making the effort. Each new day brings you more experience, wisdom and effectiveness.
Even if you’ve been deeply disappointed in the past, focus on the positive possibilities. For your future is what you choose to make it now.
— Ralph Marston