Self-love, my liege, is not so vile a sin as self-neglecting. —William Shakespeare
An important part of our lives is simply tending to our basic needs - sitting down daily to share a meal with loved ones, getting enough sleep, setting time aside for haircuts and cleaning our home, spending leisure time with friends. Paying attention to these things only when they become crises makes our lives unbalanced and crisis oriented. Many people have neglected themselves because they felt it was the mark of a tough person. Others have been so lost in an addiction or so codependent that a respectful self-caring life was not possible.
As we regain our sanity, we find balance in the basics. Self-love allows us to be responsible for our care, and it puts us in a stronger position to help others, to be creative, and to assert our right to recovery.
Today, I will look after the essentials of my personal care and my family's care before I take on other things.
From Touchstones: A Book of Daily Meditations for Men©
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Twenty-Four Hours a Day
Walk In Dry Places
Harmony
Seeking Our Own
Our feelings will often serve as good guides in determining what course
of action we ought to follow. If there is a persistent feeling of discomfort
about any situation, we should ask ourselves why we are feeling this way.
Perhaps it’s because we are involved with people or activities that are not
right for us.
In the same way, we will feel drawn to certain people and activities. This is
undoubtedly because we’re in tune with these people or activities. In such
circumstances, we can say that we are “seeking our own.” With our unique
temperaments and abilities, we fit better in certain places and with certain
groups of people than others.
We are indeed fortunate if we find that recovery in a Twelve Step program
is a case of seeking and finding our own. This must certainly strengthen
and enhance our program.
Action for the Day: I'll seek out only the people and activities that seem to belong in my life.
If I do not belong in one situation, this merely means that a better one is available somewhere.
Change
The world is changing constantly, and I am no longer afraid of this change.
I want to be a part of it and its new developments.
I have been shown, and fully believe today, that faith can move mountains.
I once encountered many blind alleys,
but today, as long as I have faith, my path is clear.
- Came To Believe . . ., p. 60
Thought to Ponder . . .
When I change what I believe, I change what I do.
AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
A B C = Acceptance, Belief, Change.
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Daily Motivation
Truly joyful
Life can be discouraging, but you don’t have to be discouraged. Even when there is no reason for joy, you can be truly joyful.
Discouragement is possible only because you know things can be better. So instead of focusing on the discouraging aspects of the situation, focus on what you can do to improve it.
You can always choose to be more positive than your circumstances. Feel the love you have for life’s goodness, and see the possibilities for expressing that goodness in new and meaningful ways.
If you’re troubled by the world around you, the most powerful thing you can do is to change yourself. Instead of buying into the world’s troubles, give the world your own authentic joy.
Yes, life is difficult and yes, you can experience immense joy and fulfillment anyway. Let go of your self-pity and connect with your positive power.
Make the choice to live according not to your darkest fears, but to your highest, brightest expectations. Make the choice, no matter what, to live with the joy that is always yours to give.
— Ralph Marston
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