Daily Motivations 12-22-10

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Today's Gift

There isn't enough darkness in all the world to snuff out the light of one little candle.
  —Anonymous

Our lives can be like a battle between darkness and light. The darkness might be in our moods when we wake in the morning with feelings of despair. Then we can turn to the light of a prayer for openness: "God help me feel your love and acceptance." The darkness is there when we are tempted to take advantage of a clerk who gives us too much change. Perhaps we tell ourselves, "Everyone does it, it won't matter if I do."

Then the light comes as we remember that this program demands rigorous honesty, and each choice for honesty promotes our growth. The darkness may be when someone we care about is hurt or in danger, and we think, "I have to step in to prevent bad things from happening." Then we turn to our Higher Power for strength to stay in the relationship, but not control it.

Today, I can take a leap of faith by choosing an action and accepting that one small choice for the light makes a difference - even in all the darkness.

From Touchstones: A Book of Daily Meditations for Men ©

 

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Twenty-Four Hours A Day

Keep It Simple
 
It is possible to be different and still be right.--Anne Wilson Schaef
Each of us is special. In some ways we're all different. It's a good thing too. We'd be bored if we were all the same. Sometimes though, we try to hide the special things about us. We don't want to be "different."
But the ways that we're different makes us special. Others have a knack of fixing things. Some of us make beautiful art. Others are great with kids. Our Higher Power made us as different, as unique, as beautiful snowflakes.

Prayer for the Day:  Higher Power, help me use my special gifts the way You want me to. Help me be thankful that You have given me something special to share with others.

Action for the Day:  I'll think of one thing about me that's special.

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One Day At A Time

 

Understanding
I knew I was where I belonged.
Here were people who had thought and felt as I had.
Here was the understanding I'd been searching for all my life.
These people were my friends, and I felt their sincere interest in me.
With these new and enlightening doors opening up to me,
I was able to make the eventual decision to stop drinking, a day at a time
-- because I, too,was an alcoholic.
- Experience, Strength and Hope, p. 315

Thought to Ponder . . .
The Three M's: Meeting makers make it.

AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
H J F = Happy, Joyous, Free.

 

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Daily Motivation

 

Make it meaningful

 

When you focus persistently enough, whatever you focus upon achieving will happen. So how exactly do you achieve such a persistent focus?

 

When you feel your focus beginning to soften, remember why you chose it in the first place. Remember not only with your mind, but also with your body, your heart, and your spirit.

 

The skill of achievement is primarily a matter of reminding yourself, again and again, why you must. It's not really that difficult to do, yet you must be the one who determines and delivers what works best for you.

 

Of course if you are to keep reminding yourself of why, that reason why must be authentic. It must also be positive, meaningful, compelling and significant.

 

If you're not persistently following your dream, that dream is not big enough. Expand on that dream until it is big enough and exciting enough to keep your focus continually aligned and unwavering.

 

Make it meaningful, and the focus will be there. Make it meaningful, and it will happen.

 

-- Ralph Marston