Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Today's Gift
When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us. —Helen Keller
In the game of musical chairs, everyone walks around a circle of chairs. When the music stops, they scramble for the nearest open chair. If we were playing this game and found the nearest chairs taken, wouldn't we quickly look around for the next open one? To remain immobilized, angry that the chair we wanted was taken, would undoubtedly lose our place in the game.
Sometimes in life, we set our sights on a particular chair. Perhaps there is an award we want to win, or we want to be the high scorer on our team. Perhaps there is a promotion or a job we would like to get. When we do not get what we want, it is easy to keep looking at what we didn't get instead of seeing all we have.
It is important to be grateful for what we have - for the open doors and empty chairs waiting and inviting our attention. Loss and disappointment are a part of life - but the music will play again and our lives can move on.
What is available to me today?
From Today's Gift: Daily Meditations for Families ©
Often God shuts a door in our face, and then subsequently opens the door through which we need to go. --Catherine Marshall
We try and try to control the events of our lives. And not seldom the events in others' lives, too. The occasions are frequent when our will conflicts with our Higher Power's. Then for a time we feel at a loss. Our direction is uncertain. But always, always, another door opens. A better way beckons. How stubborn we are! And how simple life would be were we to daily, fully, turn our will and our lives over to the care of our Higher Power. Our Higher Power's help and direction in all things are always available. Turning a deaf ear is like trying to find a seat in a darkened movie theater unaided by the usher.
Every experience is softened when we face it accompanied by our higher power. Any past struggle, any present fear, is a testament to our attempts to do it alone. Too frequently we forge ahead, alone, only to have our way blocked. The detours need never be there. No door closes unless there is a better way. Divine order will prevail.
Action for the Day: There is no need to struggle, today. I will breathe deeply and take my higher power with me, wherever I go. And the doors will be open for as far as I can see.
Forgiveness
If we are now about to ask for forgiveness for ourselves,
why shouldn't we start out by forgiving them, one and all?
- Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, p. 78
Thought to Ponder . . .
By what measure I judge others, I judge myself.
By what measure I forgive others, I forgive myself.
AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
H O W = Honesty, Open-mindedness, Willingness.
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Daily Motivation
Make some progress
Don’t let what you cannot do get in the way of what you can do. Just get busy, do your best at what you’re able to do, and make a positive difference.
If you focus on all the negative factors that you cannot control, the only thing you’ll get is frustration. Instead, put your thoughts, efforts and energy into the many good and valuable things you can do.
When you feel overwhelmed by your situation, the answer is not to give up. The answer is to get going.
Make some decisions, do some work, and get some meaningful accomplishments completed. Experience how much better it feels to make some progress.
There will always be challenges and distractions. But you can always make the choice to make progress anyway.
Today is your opportunity to end up ahead of where you started. Use this moment, and every moment, to make some progress, and you’ll be making life better and better for yourself and your world.
— Ralph Marston
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