Daily Motivation 1-8-2013

Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Today's Gift

When people make changes in their lives in a certain area, they may start by changing the way they talk about that subject, how they act about it, their attitude toward it, or an underlying decision concerning it. —Jean Illsley Clarke

Acting "as if" is powerful. It leads the way to a changed attitude, a changed person. If we are self-conscious in crowds and fearful about meeting new people and yet act poised and extend our hands in friendship, we'll not only behave in a new way, but feel good about it, too. Each act we take in this way brings us closer to the person we are behaving like. Each positive change we make builds our self-esteem.

Realizing that through our own actions we are becoming the kind of person we admire gives us the strength, in fact, encourages the excitement in us that's needed to keep changing. Making positive changes in our lives is the stuff that comprises self-esteem. Each gain makes the next one easier to attempt.

I will accept an opportunity today to act "as if" I can handle a situation I used to run from.

From Each Day a New Beginning: Daily Meditations for Women by Karen Casey©

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Twenty-Four Hours a Day

 

Keep It Simple

 

Instead of concentrating on why we can't do a thing, we would be wise to change our "Yes, but . . ." attitude to a more positive one. Saying "yes" means I really do want to change my life for the better. --Liane Cordes

 

We truly can do these things that are our "hearts' pure desires." However, most of us look at the whole task and feel overwhelmed. We need, instead, to look at the task's many parts.

 

One part at a time, one day at a time, we can accomplish any goal we set for ourselves. I know a recovering woman who wrote a 300-page dissertation, the final achievement to obtain her PhD. When asked at a meeting how she ever did it, her reply was, "One word at a time." That's wonderful advice. No matter how many goals were missed or plans dashed when we were still using, now that we are recovering, each of us can do whatever is in our hearts--if we do it little by little, not all at once, today.

Action for the Day: Today, I will do one small task that will contribute toward the achievement of a life goal.

 

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One Day At A Time

 

Hope
The secret of fulfilling my potential is in acknowledging my limitations
and believing that time is a gift, not a threat.
Hope is the key that unlocks the door of discouragement.
The program promises me that if I do not pick up the first drink today,
I will always have hope.
- Daily Reflections, p. 70

Thought to Ponder . . .
Hope leads to faith if you let it.

AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
H O P E = Heart Open; Please Enter.

 

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Daily Motivation

True achievements

If you tell a big enough lie, people will listen. If you keep telling lies, again and again, no one will ever listen, even when you tell the truth.

It’s fairly easy to be loud and attract attention. Yet if you fail to perform or inspire when attention is focused on you, it becomes much more difficult to attract any more attention.

You can get your way by being a bully. But what you get that way will never fulfill the inner desires of your heart.

If you push your way through life without consideration for others, you’ll experience an empty and cold existence. That’s certainly not what you want, is it?

When you feel the urge to take advantage of others, even in a seemingly minor way, remember this. Ultimately, you will lose more than you gain.

To truly lift yourself up, live with honesty, integrity, respect, peacefulness, humility and honor. That way, your achievements are true achievements that will bring value to the whole of your life and your world.

— Ralph Marston