Pride works from within; it is the direct appreciation of oneself. —Arthur Schopenhauer
Pride, like all emotions, has two faces: one healthy and one sick. It is our challenge to use the healthy side well. Sick pride fills us with ourselves, looks down on others, and has no room for generosity. Healthy pride is heavy with humility. If we can feel joyful when we succeed, and tell others about it honestly, we are not being boastful.
Sick pride often keeps us from doing things because we are too proud to ask for help when we need it, or too proud to risk failure, or too proud to do anything that might not turn out perfect.
Healthy pride about our greatest victories always comes with the awareness that we did not do it all by ourselves. We had the aid, advice, and encouragement of loved ones. In all things that really count, we never walk alone. Even those who claim pride is not a virtue admit that it is the parent of many virtues.
What makes me proud of myself today?
From Today's Gift: Daily Meditations for Families ©
********************************
Twenty-Four Hours a Day
Don't compromise yourself. You are all you've got. --Janis Joplin
When we don't know who we are, it's easy to compromise ourselves. When we don't know where we stand on an issue, it's easy to be swayed by a forceful voice. Values may be cloudy in our minds, or we may not be aware of them at all. It's then that we are vulnerable to the persuasion of another. In this Twelve Step program, we are offered the way to know ourselves. We are supported in our efforts, and we realize we have friends who don't want us to compromise ourselves--who value our struggle to know and to be true to ourselves.
One of recovery's greatest gifts is discovering we can make decisions that represent us, our inner selves, and those decisions please us. We all are familiar with the tiny tug of shame that locates itself in our solar plexus. When we "go along," when we "give in" on a personally important issue, we pay a consequence. We lose a bit of ourselves. Over the years we've lost many bits. We have a choice, however.
Action for the Day: I will have a chance, soon, to act according to my wishes. I will take it.
Happy, Joyous, and Free
We are sure our Higher Power wants us to be happy, joyous, and free.
We cannot subscribe to the belief that this life is a vale of tears,
though it once was just that for many of us.
But it is clear that we made our own misery. Our Higher Power didn't do it.
- Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 133
Thought to Ponder . . .
Joy is in knowing there is an answer.
AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
H J F = Happy, Joyous, Free.
Daily Motivation
You can make a difference
When things go wrong, don’t despair. You can make a difference, so get busy and do it.
Don’t be afraid to acknowledge and accept what has already happened. Because you can take what is, whatever it may be, and use it to make a positive difference.
There’s no need to worry about whether or not you’re lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time. It is always the right place and the right time for you to make a difference.
Making a difference demands much of you in the way of time, effort, skill and commitment. Fortunately, you’re entirely capable of giving all that and more in the service of making a meaningful difference.
Everything that happens is an opportunity for you to make a difference. Rather than wasting your energy on judgment and remorse, put that energy into making a difference.
Every one of your abilities gives you the ability to make a difference. Hold true to your vision of the best that life can be, and make a difference to make it so.
— Ralph Marston
No comments:
Post a Comment