Monday, October 3, 2016
Today's Gift
A man who is mistrustful and self-centered has difficulty listening to someone else. Perhaps a woman we are close to wants to be understood by us. But we do not hear her on her own terms because we are so intensely involved with our own shame. So we react to our feelings of guilt rather than really hearing what she wants to say about her experience. Or we may be so worried about who has control that we fail to receive the information we are being given. Then we respond with "Yes, but..."
True learning comes - like true intimacy - when we have an open mind. As we detach ourselves, separate from our own ego, we hear the other person better and grow more intimate.
From: Bluidkiti's Alcohol and Drug Addictions Recovery Help/Support Forums
Caretakers
Our Traditions are set down on paper. But they were written first in our hearts.
For each of us knows, instinctively I think, that AA is not ours to do with as we please.
We are but caretakers to preserve the spiritual quality of our Fellowship;
keep it whole for those who will come after us
and have need of what has so generously been given to us.
- The Language of the Heart,p. 124
Thought to Ponder . . .
The Twelve Steps tell us how it works; the Twelve Traditions tell us why it works.
AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
H E A R T = Healing, Enjoying, And Recovering Together
Excerpt of The Daily Motivator
To understand
by Ralph Marston
You do not have to agree in order to understand. But you do have to listen with an open mind.
You do not have to give up or give in to another in order to understand. But you do have to give your attention and consideration.
You do not have to change your own position in order to understand the position of another. But you do have to accept that there are valid perspectives besides your own.
Seeing the world only from your own point of view puts you at a distinct disadvantage. The more open you are to understanding others, the more effective your every action will be.
Realize what a true blessing it is that there are those who see things differently than you do. By offering your understanding you gain the benefit of an expanded perspective.
You’ve no doubt experienced how good it can be when there’s someone who listens and truly understands. What’s even better is to be that someone.
How easy the breath that kills a flame,
How hard to kindle that light again.
Cold words kill and kind words kindle,
By words withheld a dream may dwindle.
—Joan Walsh Anglund
How we treat the people we live with affects the happiness of our family. Just as a breath can blow out a flame, a mean remark can cast a shadow across a brother or sister's heart. People of all ages have left dreams behind because no one encouraged them. They are like candles snuffed out.
On the other hand, if we see a friend or family member feeling good about something they have done, we can learn to be happy for them. If we notice their excitement and encourage them with kind and sincere words, it will help their candle burn brighter. Sharing the happiness of others will make our own candles burn brighter, and it always feels good when we receive kind words ourselves.
In what ways can I bring light and warmth with my words 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
You should not have your own idea when you listen to someone.... To have nothing in your mind is naturalness. Then you will understand what he says. --Shunryu Suzuki
You should not have your own idea when you listen to someone.... To have nothing in your mind is naturalness. Then you will understand what he says. --Shunryu Suzuki
A man who is mistrustful and self-centered has difficulty listening to someone else. Perhaps a woman we are close to wants to be understood by us. But we do not hear her on her own terms because we are so intensely involved with our own shame. So we react to our feelings of guilt rather than really hearing what she wants to say about her experience. Or we may be so worried about who has control that we fail to receive the information we are being given. Then we respond with "Yes, but..."
True learning comes - like true intimacy - when we have an open mind. As we detach ourselves, separate from our own ego, we hear the other person better and grow more intimate.
Action for the Day: May I learn to set aside my own self-centeredness. Today, I will grow more if I set my ego aside when others are talking to me.
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
Caretakers
Our Traditions are set down on paper. But they were written first in our hearts.
For each of us knows, instinctively I think, that AA is not ours to do with as we please.
We are but caretakers to preserve the spiritual quality of our Fellowship;
keep it whole for those who will come after us
and have need of what has so generously been given to us.
- The Language of the Heart,p. 124
Thought to Ponder . . .
The Twelve Steps tell us how it works; the Twelve Traditions tell us why it works.
AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
H E A R T = Healing, Enjoying, And Recovering Together
From: AA Thought for the Day (courtesy AA-Alive.net)
***************************
Daily Motivation
Excerpt of The Daily Motivator
To understand
by Ralph Marston
You do not have to agree in order to understand. But you do have to listen with an open mind.
You do not have to give up or give in to another in order to understand. But you do have to give your attention and consideration.
You do not have to change your own position in order to understand the position of another. But you do have to accept that there are valid perspectives besides your own.
Seeing the world only from your own point of view puts you at a distinct disadvantage. The more open you are to understanding others, the more effective your every action will be.
Realize what a true blessing it is that there are those who see things differently than you do. By offering your understanding you gain the benefit of an expanded perspective.
You’ve no doubt experienced how good it can be when there’s someone who listens and truly understands. What’s even better is to be that someone.
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