Monday, September 14, 2015
Today's Gift
When a person drowns their self in negative thinking they are committing an unspeakable crime against them self. —Maxwell Maltz
Negative thoughts can rule our lives as compulsively as an addiction. The feelings of power we get from holding a dismal and gloomy outlook deprive us of the positive and pleasant parts of life. Some of us have said, "If I expect the worst, I won't be disappointed. If I think the worst about myself, no one else can cut me down." It is like taking a driving trip and looking only for trash and garbage in the ditches, ignoring the beauty beyond. Indeed, what we see may be real, but it is a very limited piece of the picture.
When we have relied on negative thinking, it feels risky to give it up. We cannot do it in one day. We can begin by imagining ourselves with a more open attitude toward the world and ourselves. Then we can try it out as an experiment in little ways, with no commitment. Finally we reach the point where we can take a risk and entrust our Higher Power with the outcome.
Today, I will experiment with hopeful and positive thoughts about what happens.
From Touchstones: A Book of Daily Meditations for Men ©
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Twenty-Four Hours a Day
How shortsighted is our judgment about today's experiences! We'll see with clarity where they may lead us only after we've reached our destination. Of one thing we can be certain: Today's experiences, in concert with yesterday's and all that's gone before, are combining to weave an intricate life design, unique, purposeful, and for our ultimate good.
We need not feel remorse over lost chances or unproductive behavior in the past. Our destination remains the same, and our arrival is guaranteed. Our actions and decisions are never wrong. We may veer off course for a time, but the design for our lives will pull us back on the track.
The program is part of the design for our lives. It's helping us to stay on course. In fact, when we're working the Steps, we're at ease with our direction, and we trust the outcome of our efforts to the power of the program. We will add to the richness of our design, today, just as we have every day of our lives. We can anticipate today's experiences with an excited heart.
Action for the Day: There is something special going on in my life today. I will give everybody and every event my full attention.
A New Perspective
As long as we placed self-reliance first, a genuine reliance upon a Higher Power was out of the question. . .
For us, the process of gaining a new perspective was unbelievably painful.
It was only by repeated humiliations that we were forced to learn something about humility.
- Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, p. 72
Thought to Ponder . . .
My perspective will change my perception.
AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
A A = Always Alive
Great things you can do
Feel your power today by putting it to use. Instead of wishing, worrying or wondering, discover how much you can accomplish by actually doing.
The problems that burden you will be less of a burden when you go to work on them. The challenges will loose their power to intimidate you once you experience yourself making progress.
This day is packed full of opportunity. The way to seize that opportunity is to take decisive action.
Find out what works and what doesn’t. Provide yourself with a whole new daily dose of real life, practical experience.
Grow stronger and more capable by making use of your capabilities. Stretch them to the limit, and then figure out new ways to go beyond those limits.
Today, there is a whole day full of great things you can do. Get busy, and enjoy discovering what they are.
— Ralph Marston
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One Day At A Time
As long as we placed self-reliance first, a genuine reliance upon a Higher Power was out of the question. . .
For us, the process of gaining a new perspective was unbelievably painful.
It was only by repeated humiliations that we were forced to learn something about humility.
- Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, p. 72
Thought to Ponder . . .
My perspective will change my perception.
AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
A A = Always Alive
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Daily Motivation
Feel your power today by putting it to use. Instead of wishing, worrying or wondering, discover how much you can accomplish by actually doing.
The problems that burden you will be less of a burden when you go to work on them. The challenges will loose their power to intimidate you once you experience yourself making progress.
This day is packed full of opportunity. The way to seize that opportunity is to take decisive action.
Find out what works and what doesn’t. Provide yourself with a whole new daily dose of real life, practical experience.
Grow stronger and more capable by making use of your capabilities. Stretch them to the limit, and then figure out new ways to go beyond those limits.
Today, there is a whole day full of great things you can do. Get busy, and enjoy discovering what they are.
— Ralph Marston
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