Sometimes I go about pitying myself, and all the time I am being carried, on great winds across the sky.—Ojibway
"Ah, poor me," we sometimes say, "I have to work so hard!" "I have so much stress!" "If only my problem with money would get better, then I could be content!" "I just don't understand people!" "Why can't my family have fewer troubles?" This attitude of self-pity is as ancient as humanity. The Ojibway recognized blindness to the spiritual path. Every person has problems and challenges, and life often is not fair. Self-pity becomes a stumbling block when we get so narrowly focused upon our problems. We forget we are a part of a whole throng of fellow pilgrims on this path. It helps to notice others beside ourselves who are seeking courage to live their lives.
Sometimes we reawaken our awareness of our Higher Power by seeing that we are "carried on great winds across the sky." We have many blessings; we are not alone. Often within problems we discover our greatest blessings.
Higher Power, help me find the spiritual path in the choices I make today. Help me turn away from self-pity.
From Touchstones: A Book of Daily Meditations for Men©
Twenty-Four Hours a Day
Why do bad things happen?
No one has been able to explain why pain and misfortune must be part of the human condition. Bad things can and do happen to everybody, and sometimes there's no way to explain it.
Even in sobriety, we have misfortunes---times when it appears that our Higher Power is hiding. We even hear members share such experiences at meetings.
Many of us have found ways to use misfortunes constructively, however, by seeing how the program helps us deal with it. In some cases---but not all---we even learn that a misfortune was a disguised blessing.
Most important, by using the program, we are eliminating the drinking that has been the cause of many misfortunes in our lives. That alone makes our immediate world a much better place for everyone.
The alcoholic is like a tornado roaring their way through the lives of others.
Hearts are broken. Sweet relationships are dead. Affections have been uprooted.
Selfish and inconsiderate habits have kept the home in turmoil.
We feel a man is unthinking when he says that sobriety is enough.
- Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 82
Thought to Ponder . . .
The storm has passed. I've learned a little more about peace.
It was inside all the time.
AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
C H A O S = Creating Havoc Around OurSelves.
Daily Motivation
At peace with right now
Choose to be in a beautiful place, right here, right now, just as you are. Make your experience beautiful simply by the way you choose to see life and to live it.
There is nothing you need before you can have joy. Be joyful just because you can, and because your true joy gives so much value to life.
Be at peace with right now. Embrace the beauty and magnificent possibility of what is.
Feel the massive strength that comes over you when you make the choice to no longer fight against life. Feel the joy of acting positively and purposefully to make your most treasured dreams real.
Cast out any remnants of worry, blame, envy, resentment or fear. You have much more positive, meaningful and beneficial things to focus upon.
Be here right now in this beautiful, powerful place. Live and expand upon the treasure that is yours right now.
— Ralph Marston
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