Friday, February 5, 2016
Today's Gift
Pride works from within; it is the direct appreciation of oneself. --Arthur Schopenhauer
Pride, like all emotions, has two faces: one healthy and one sick. It is our challenge to use the healthy side well. Sick pride fills us with ourselves, looks down on others, and has no room for generosity. Healthy pride is heavy with humility. If we can feel joyful when we succeed, and tell others about it honestly, we are not being boastful.
Sick pride often keeps us from doing things because we are too proud to ask for help when we need it, or too proud to risk failure, or too proud to do anything that might not turn out perfect.
Healthy pride about our greatest victories always comes with the awareness that we did not do it all by ourselves. We had the aid, advice, and encouragement of loved ones. In all things that really count, we never walk alone. Even those who claim pride is not a virtue admit that it is the parent of many virtues.
What makes me proud of myself today?
From Today's Gift: Daily Meditations for Families ©
From: Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation - Thought for the Day http://www.hazeldenbettyford.org/recovery/thought-for-the-day
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Twenty-Four Hours a Day
Keep It Simple
I believe that a sign of maturity is accepting deferred gratification. --Peggy Cahn
It's okay to want to feel good all the time. Happiness is something we all deserve. However, there are often preparatory steps we need to take, a number of which will not bring joy, before we arrive at a place of sustained happiness.
The level of our pain at any particular moment has prompted us to seek short-term highs. And with each attempt at a quick "fix," we will be reminded that, just as with our many former attempts, the high is very short-term.
Long-term happiness is not the byproduct of short-term gratification. We don't have to earn happiness, exactly, but we do have to discover where it's found. How fortunate we are to have the program guiding our search. We will find happiness when we learn to get quiet and listen to our inner selves. We will find happiness when we focus less on our personal problems and more on the needs of others.
Many of us will need to redefine what happiness is. Understanding our value and necessity to our circle of acquaintances will bring us happiness, a happiness that will sustain us, and so will gratitude for our friends, our growing health, our abstinence also sustain us. Sincerely touching the soul of someone else can tap the well of happiness within each of us.
Action for the Day: I will find happiness. Searching within myself, I will patiently, trustingly share myself with others.
From: Bluidkiti's Alcohol and Drug Addictions Recovery Help/Support Forums
Daily Recovery Readings - http://www.bluidkiti.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=2
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One Day At A Time
An Open Mind
When I came to AA, I realized that my Higher Power was speaking to me through my group.
My mind was open just enough to know that I needed His help.
A real, honest acceptance of my dysfunctions took more time, but with it came humility. I know how insane I was, and I am extremely grateful to have my sanity restored to me and to be sober.
- Daily Reflections, p. 300
Thought to Ponder . . .
Minds are like parachutes -- they won't work unless they're open.
AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
T L C = Tears, Laughter, Caring.
From: AA Thought for the Day (courtesy AA-Alive.net)
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Daily Motivation
Excerpt of The Daily Motivator
Freedom within
by Ralph Marston
Forgiveness eases the burden of resentment. Gratitude releases you from the need to need.
Love unbinds you from fear, anger and worry. Caring and generosity push away the despair.
Understanding liberates you from stale old assumptions. Kindness lifts you out of cynicism and disappointment.
Within you already is the power to escape whatever gets you down. Because within you is the choice to live with goodness and integrity, strength and responsibility.
The latest bright flashy gadget will not save you, really won’t even interest or entertain you much. The good values within, though, can light up the whole world.
Feel the power you have for spreading goodness, love, wisdom and all things that matter. Free yourself from within, and dance through life bringing joy to all.
From The Daily Motivator website at http://greatday.com/
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