Tuesday, December 18, 2018
Today's Gift
Destruction. Crashing realities exploding in imperfect landings. Ouch. It's my heart that's breaking, for these have been my fantasies and my world. —Mary Casey
We frequently aren't given what we want - whether it's a particular job, a certain relationship, a special talent. But we are always given exactly what we need at the moment. None of us can see what tomorrow is designed to bring, and our fantasies are always tied to a future moment. Our fantasies seldom correlate with the real conditions that are necessary to our continued spiritual growth.
Fantasies are purposeful. They give us goals to strive for, directions to move in. They are never as far-sighted as the goals our higher power has in store for us, though. We have far greater gifts than we are aware of, and we are being pushed to develop them at the very times when it seems our world is crashing down.
We can cherish our fantasies - but let them go. Our real purpose in life far exceeds our fondest dreams. The Steps have given us the tools to make the Universe's plan for us a reality.
How limited is my vision, my dreams. If one of mine is dashed today, I will rest assured that an even better one will present itself, if I but let it.
From Each Day a New Beginning: Daily Meditations for Women by Karen Casey ©
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
Trying is what we do when we aren't willing to make a commitment. We say, "I'll try," when our heart isn't ready to give a full effort. It's what we say when we can't admit that our resolve is wimpy. And it's the lie that will defeat us.
Some challenges we face can't be conquered simply by saying, "I will do it." But we can choose to do something that will help. We can't move the mountain but we can pick up some rocks. We can engage with the problem and get to know it better. Every action we take leads somewhere and sets us up for the next action. We even learn from our mistakes and that moves us closer to achieving our goal.
Action for the Day: Today I will not just "try"; I will do something to move toward my goal.
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
It is not surprising that our drinking careers have been characterized
by countless vain attempts to prove we could drink like other people.
The idea that somehow, someday he will control and enjoy his drinking
is the great obsession of every abnormal drinker.
The persistence of this illusion is astonishing.
Many pursue it into the gates of insanity or death.
- Alcoholics Anonymous, "More About Alcoholism," p. 30
Thought to Ponder
When we try to control our drinking, we have already lost control.
AA-related 'Alconym'
A A = Absolute Abstinence
From: AA Thought for the Day (courtesy AA-Alive.net)
Excerpt of The Daily Motivator
by Ralph Marston
You deserve the very best achievement of which you’re capable. The challenges and setbacks and disappointments are there to make you determined enough to get it.
When it absolutely seems like there’s no way forward, keep going. There’s a way.
If you’re not getting the results you expected, see it as an opportunity to experiment with other approaches. You’ll likely find something that works even better than you could have imagined.
Eventually you’ll look back on all the challenges and be thankful for them. You’ll realize that the strength and effectiveness gained in working through those challenges added great value to the whole undertaking.
You won’t avoid all the setbacks, but then you really wouldn’t want to. For you can choose to take them all in stride and let them make you that much stronger, that much more determined, and that much more successful.
Instead of feeling sorry for yourself, feel inspired about yourself. After all, you had the courage to get started in the first place and you have the determination to keep going no matter what.
You deserve the very best achievement of which you’re capable. The challenges and setbacks and disappointments are there to make you determined enough to get it.
When it absolutely seems like there’s no way forward, keep going. There’s a way.
If you’re not getting the results you expected, see it as an opportunity to experiment with other approaches. You’ll likely find something that works even better than you could have imagined.
Eventually you’ll look back on all the challenges and be thankful for them. You’ll realize that the strength and effectiveness gained in working through those challenges added great value to the whole undertaking.
You won’t avoid all the setbacks, but then you really wouldn’t want to. For you can choose to take them all in stride and let them make you that much stronger, that much more determined, and that much more successful.
Instead of feeling sorry for yourself, feel inspired about yourself. After all, you had the courage to get started in the first place and you have the determination to keep going no matter what.
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