Thursday, March 3, 2012
Today's Gift
Be Patient with Everyone
--from writings by St. Francis de Sales
Be patient with everyone, but above all with yourself . . . do not be disappointed by your imperfections, but always rise up with fresh courage.
How are you to be patient in dealing with your neighbor's faults if you are impatient in dealing with your own?
They who are worried by their own shortcomings will not correct them.
All positive progress comes from a calm and peaceful mind.
From the book: The 12 Step Prayer Book Volume 2 by Bill P. and Lisa D.
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Twenty-Four Hours a Day
Keep It Simple
What a strange pattern the shuttle of life can weave. --Frances Marion
Each experience we have plays its part in the total picture of our lives. The steps we have taken, the path we travel today, and our direction tomorrow are not by chance. There is a pattern. We each have a destiny. We may have veered off the path in the past, and we may veer off it again. But we'll be guided back, and our paths intersect. None of us is traveling alone. We have each other and the creative force that is at the helm.
When we look around us and reflect on how our lives are influenced by the persons close to us, we become aware that our presence affects their lives as well. Most of us could never have predicted the events that have influenced us. Nor can we anticipate what the future may hold. We can be certain, however, that we are safe; a power greater than ourselves is orchestrating our affairs.
There were times we feared we'd never survive an experience. Perhaps we still struggle with fears about new experiences. But every experience adds a necessary thread to the pattern our life is weaving. We have the gift of reflection. We can understand, today, the importance of particular events of the past. Next month, next year, we'll understand today.
Action for the Day: I shall enjoy the richness of today. My life is weaving an intricate, necessary pattern that is uniquely mine.
Responsibility
At the beginning we sacrificed alcohol and/or drugs. We had to, or it would have killed us.
But we couldn't get rid of alcohol/drugs unless we made other sacrifices.
Big-shotism and phony thinking had to go.
We had to toss self-justification, self-pity, and anger right out the window. . .
We had to take personal responsibility for our sorry state
and quit blaming others for it.
- The Language of the Heart, p. 210
Thought to Ponder . . .
Self-righteousness is a loud din raised to drown the voice of guilt within us.
AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
A A = Altered Attitudes.
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Daily Motivation
Be that person
There are certain things you seek to experience, and a certain life you desire to live. To experience that life, be that person who will live it.
Be that person on the inside, with your thoughts, values, priorities and commitments. Be that person on the outside, with your actions, your relationships and your gifts to life.
You have control over who you are and what you do, so make good and meaningful use of that control. Be that person who is qualified, prepared and inspired to live the life you wish to live.
Give achievement a prominent place within who you are. And you’ll experience that achievement as it becomes real in the world around you.
Give your dreams the love and attention they deserve. And you’ll see those dreams come to fruition in your life.
Within you is a vision that’s your very own, unique gift to all that is. Be that person who lives that vision, and from it you’ll create great and wonderful richness.
— Ralph Marston
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