Daily Motivation 10-17-2012

Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Today's Gift

Fear makes strangers of people who should be friends. —Shirley MacLaine

No one is brave every moment; each of us feels awkward, shy, perhaps even ugly or dumb part of the time. If we could understand that about each other, it would make it easier for us to be friendly and willing to talk to someone new. Instead, we often sit back, waiting to be noticed; waiting for someone to invite us to join in an activity.

We are all so much alike, yet we are so certain we're different. Being self-conscious is normal. Even those who are the most popular suffer the same fears as the rest of us. The better we understand the ways we are the same, the easier it will be to make friends with someone new. And it's through friends that we grow and are strengthened for whatever lies ahead.

What new person can I offer friendship to today?

From Today's Gift: Daily Meditations for Families ©

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Twenty-Four Hours a Day

 

Keep It Simple

 

Every child is an artist. The problem is remain an artist once your grow up.---Pablo Picasso

We each have colorful ideas waiting to be shared. We’re alive inside. But do we let this side of us show? Our disease stole much of the child like openness. Many of us were taught that growing up meant denying the child within us. Many of us grew up in homes where it wasn’t safe to act alive and creative.

 

Whatever the reason, it’s time to claim the child, the artist, in each of us. Each of our programs is different, and each has its artistic touch. When we tell our stories, we share our life. And our lives are unique and alive. The more alive we become, the more color we bring to others and ourselves. Let’s not be afraid to add color to our lives.

Prayer for the Day: Higher Power, help me claim the child inside of me. Joy is choice. Help me choose it.

Action for the Day: Today, I’ll work at not hiding myself from others. I’ll be alive, and I’ll greet everyone I meet with the openness of a child.

 

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One Day At A Time

 

Positive Thinking
We had substituted negative for positive thinking.
After we came to AA, we had to recognize that this trait
had been an ego-feeding proposition. . .
But finally, driven to AA, we learned better.
- Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, p. 30

Thought to Ponder . . .
Truth has a way of changing every time you think you know it.

AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
T H I N K = Thank Heavens I Now Know.

 

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Daily Motivation

Keep building

Small efforts that are repeated are far more powerful than big efforts that are made just once and then abandoned. Instead of hoping for a chance to make a big impact, take advantage of each opportunity you have to make a small impact.

Time works in your favor when you work in your favor with every little bit of time you get. You can achieve great things with modest efforts by persistently repeating those efforts.

Every moment is an opportunity to add a little bit to life’s richness. Those little bits add up.

Each revolution of your car’s engine moves the vehicle forward only a short distance. Yet with enough successive turns of the engine and tires, you can traverse an entire continent.

Just because the effort is small, doesn’t mean it is insignificant. Just because you can’t do it all at once, doesn’t mean it is out of your reach.

Success and fulfillment are built on a day-by-day basis. Keep going, keep building, and enjoy the ride.

— Ralph Marston