Daily Motivation 8-27-2012

Monday, August 27, 2012

Today's Gift

 

Procrastination is the fear of success. People procrastinate because they are afraid of the success that they know will result if they move ahead now. Because success is heavy, carries responsibility with it, it is much easier to procrastinate and live on the "someday I'll" philosophy. ~Denis Waitley
 
Procrastination - not acting when the time is right - is a self-defeating behavior. It produces anxiety, guilt, disharmony, and a nagging consciousness of the task that life is telling us it's time to do.

 

We are not always procrastinating when we put off doing something. Sometimes, doing a thing before the time is right can be as self-defeating as waiting too long.

 

We can learn to discern the difference. Listen to yourself. Listen to the Universe. What is past due and creating anxiety and prodding within you?

 

Is there something in your life you are avoiding because you don't want to face it? Is there a building anxiety from putting this off?

 

Sometimes anger, fear, or feeling helpless can motivate procrastination. Sometimes, procrastination has simply become habitual.

 

Trust and listen to yourself, your Higher Power, and the Universe. Watch for signs and signals. If it is time to do something, do it now. If it is not yet time, wait until the time is right.

 

Higher Power, help me learn to be on time and in harmony with my life. Help me tune in to and trust Divine Timing and Order.

From The Language of Letting Go by Melody Beattie ©

 

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Twenty-Four Hours a Day

Keep It Simple

In soloing--as in other activities--it is far easier to start something than it is to finish it. --Amelia Earhart

Procrastination plagues us all, at one time or another. But any activity that is worthy of our effort should be tackled by bits and pieces, one day at a time. We are too easily overwhelmed when we set our sights only on the accomplished goal. We need to focus, instead, on the individual elements and then on just one element at a time. A book is written, word-by-word. A house is built, timber-by-timber. A college degree is attained, course-by-course.

By the time we got to this program, most of us had accumulated a checkered past, much of which we wanted to deny or forget. And the weight of our past can stand in the way of the many possibilities in the present.

Our past need not determine what we set out to do today. However, we must be realistic: We can't change a behavior pattern overnight. But we can begin the process. We can decide on a reasonable, manageable objective for this 24-hour period. Enough days committed to the completion of enough small objectives will bring us to the attainment of any goal, large or small.

Action for the Day: I can finish any task I set my sights on, when I take it one day at a time. Today is before me. I can move forward in a small way.

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One Day At A Time

Obsession
Under the lash of alcoholism, we are driven to AA,
and there we discover the fatal nature of our situation.
Then, and only then, do we become as open-minded to conviction
and as willing to listen as the dying can be.
We stand ready to do anything which will lift the merciless obsession from us.
- Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, p. 24

Thought to Ponder . . .
Within our wonderful new world,
we have found freedom from our fatal obsession.

AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
S W A T = Surrender, Willingness, Action, Trust

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Daily Motivation

With this day

With this day comes the possibility for new joy. You can choose, right now, to embrace and fulfill that possibility, or you can choose to ignore it.

With this day comes the opportunity to move forward, to get positive and useful and meaningful things done. You can grab that opportunity and run with it, or you can let it drain away.

This day comes to you filled with great promise. This day gives you time and space and resources with which to enrich your life and your world.

Instead of making judgments about what this day might bring, make firm and positive decisions about what you will do with it. Choose your most desirable direction and then use every moment to work your way forward in that direction.

Right now, you have the privilege of living this day. Remind yourself of how truly fortunate you are, and resolve to make the most of your immense good fortune.

With this day comes the precious and unique gift of your life. Gratefully accept and embrace that gift, and live every moment with positive purpose.

— Ralph Marston