Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Today's Gift
Life is not to be endured; life is to be enjoyed and embraced. -Melody Beattie
The belief that we must square our shoulders and get through a meager, deprived existence for far off rewards in Heaven is a codependent belief.
Yes, most of us still have times when life will be stressful and challenge our endurance skills. But we must learn to live, to enjoy our life, and handle situations as they come.
Our survival skills have served us well. They have gotten us through difficult times - as children and adults. Our ability to freeze feelings, deny problems, deprive ourselves, and cope with stress has helped us get where we are today. But we're safe now. We're learning to do more than survive. We can let go of unhealthy survival behaviors. We're learning new, better ways to protect and care for ourselves. We're free to feel our feelings, identify and solve problems, and give ourselves the best. We're free to open up and come alive.
Today, I will let go of my unhealthy endurance and survival skills. I will choose a new mode of living, one that allows me to be alive and enjoy the adventure.
From The Language of Letting Go by Melody Beattie ©
The present will not long endure.---Pindar
At certain moments, our best friend is time. Time is a gift given us. Time helps us heal. We need to know that when things are tough, these times will pass, and peace will return. Our Higher Power can be like a parent who comforts a child when there's a storm outside. The parent gently reminds the child the sun will shine again.
Tough times come and go. There will be times when life is ugly and very painful. We can't be happy all the time. Remember, our Higher Power is always there. We must have faith in this. A saying often heard in the program is, "This too shall pass."
Prayer for the Day: Higher Power, remind me that things will get better. Even if they get worst for a while, they will get better. Let this be my prayer in hard times.
Action for the Day: Today, I'll list times in my life when I thought I couldn't go on. I'll remember the pain, but I'll also remember how time was my friend.
Only by discussing ourselves, holding back nothing,
only by being willing to take advice and accept direction
could we set foot on the road to straight thinking, solid honesty,
and genuine humility.
- Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, p. 59
Thought to Ponder . . .
Honesty isn't an event -- it's a process.
AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
H O W = Honesty, Open-mindedness, Willingness.
Daily Motivation
What you give
It is by making a difference that you make a life. It is by giving of your authentic self that you gain access to life’s great richness.
When things are going well, you have many opportunities to make a difference. When difficult problems arise, you have even more opportunities to move the world positively forward.
Today will present you with plenty of meaningful opportunities to make a positive difference. Each of these opportunities is also an opportunity to greatly enrich your life.
If it is self-esteem you seek, here is a way to guarantee it. Observe yourself as you work through the challenges and act to create real value in your world.
All of life longs to hear your unique voice. Be yourself, and do it with passion, effectiveness, creativity and love.
Make the choices that will make a real difference. What you give is what determines how well you truly live.
— Ralph Marston
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