Thursday, November 8, 2018
Today's Gift
As we live our very busy lives we might say, "How full and rich my life is!" But are we stopping long enough to look, to take in experiences, digest them, and grow from them? Or is our attention always focused upon the next event? Are we running from one thing to another, never truly being present in the current moment?
For spiritual deepening, many of us do not need to enrich the events in our lives as much as we need to simplify and quiet ourselves. We need to slow down and look at what is here. At a banquet, we might appreciate a few fine foods served in a tranquil atmosphere more fully than a lavish variety served in a frenzied atmosphere. For today, we are not able to stop the hectic pace of the world, but we can slow ourselves down and notice and reflect upon our experiences. Then they will have meaning and value for us.
Action for the Day: Today, I will slow down. I will notice what my experiences are and give myself time to look.
Willingness to Believe
Let us make haste to reassure you. We found that as soon as we were able to
lay aside prejudice and express even a willingness to believe in a Power greater
than ourselves, we commenced to get results, even though it was impossible
for any of us to fully define or comprehend that Power.
- Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 46
Thought to Ponder
Our Higher Power seldom becomes a reality until our Higher Power becomes a necessity.
AA-related 'Alconym'
W I L L I N G = When I Live Life, I Need God (as I understand them)
Let yourself be you
This above all: to thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou 'canst not then be false to any man. --William Shakespeare
True to Ourselves
To thine own self be true. A grounding statement for those of us who get caught up in the storm of needs and feelings of others.
Listen to the self. What do we need? Are those needs getting met? What do we feel? What do we need to do to take care of our feelings? What are our feelings telling us about ourselves and the direction we need to go?
What do we want to do or say? What are our instincts telling us? Trust them - even if they don't make sense or meet other people's rules and expectations.
Sometimes, the demands of other people and our confused expectations of ourselves - the messages about our responsibilities toward others - can create a tremendous, complicated mess.
We can even convince ourselves that people pleasing, going against our nature and not being honest, is the kind, honest thing to do!
Not true. Simplify. Back to basics. Let go of the confusion. By honoring and respecting ourselves, we will be true to those around us, even if we displease them momentarily.
To thine own self be true. Simple words describing a powerful task that can put us back on track.
Today, I will honor, cherish, and love myself. When confused about what to do, I will be true to myself. I will break free of the hold others, and their expectations, have on me.
From The Language of Letting Go by Melody Beattie ©
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
Normally, we do not so much look at things as overlook them. --Alan Watts
Normally, we do not so much look at things as overlook them. --Alan Watts
As we live our very busy lives we might say, "How full and rich my life is!" But are we stopping long enough to look, to take in experiences, digest them, and grow from them? Or is our attention always focused upon the next event? Are we running from one thing to another, never truly being present in the current moment?
For spiritual deepening, many of us do not need to enrich the events in our lives as much as we need to simplify and quiet ourselves. We need to slow down and look at what is here. At a banquet, we might appreciate a few fine foods served in a tranquil atmosphere more fully than a lavish variety served in a frenzied atmosphere. For today, we are not able to stop the hectic pace of the world, but we can slow ourselves down and notice and reflect upon our experiences. Then they will have meaning and value for us.
Action for the Day: Today, I will slow down. I will notice what my experiences are and give myself time to look.
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
Willingness to Believe
Let us make haste to reassure you. We found that as soon as we were able to
lay aside prejudice and express even a willingness to believe in a Power greater
than ourselves, we commenced to get results, even though it was impossible
for any of us to fully define or comprehend that Power.
- Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 46
Thought to Ponder
Our Higher Power seldom becomes a reality until our Higher Power becomes a necessity.
AA-related 'Alconym'
W I L L I N G = When I Live Life, I Need God (as I understand them)
***************************
Daily Motivation
Excerpt of The Daily Motivator
Let yourself be you
by Ralph Marston
It’s difficult to truly and honestly be who you are. It is so difficult, in fact, that many people don’t make the attempt.
And yet, it is even more difficult to continue, day after day, year after year, to deny the beautiful, unique reality of who you are. Though it is hard and demanding work to be you, it is the most satisfying and fulfilling thing you can do with your time.
For it is by being true to your purpose that you fill your world and your experience with exquisite richness. The real, true you is who can offer the very most value, comfort, encouragement and joy to others, to the world, and to all of life.
Living each moment and each situation with uncompromising authenticity is a difficult, inconvenient and often embarrassing choice. Even so, it is far and away the best choice you can make, not only for yourself but also for everything else you care about.
There is great and unique beauty within you. That beauty longs to, and absolutely deserves to see the light of day.
So let go of the pretenses, and the fears and apprehensions, and let yourself be you. Bring life’s goodness more fully into being, in your own delightful way.
It’s difficult to truly and honestly be who you are. It is so difficult, in fact, that many people don’t make the attempt.
And yet, it is even more difficult to continue, day after day, year after year, to deny the beautiful, unique reality of who you are. Though it is hard and demanding work to be you, it is the most satisfying and fulfilling thing you can do with your time.
For it is by being true to your purpose that you fill your world and your experience with exquisite richness. The real, true you is who can offer the very most value, comfort, encouragement and joy to others, to the world, and to all of life.
Living each moment and each situation with uncompromising authenticity is a difficult, inconvenient and often embarrassing choice. Even so, it is far and away the best choice you can make, not only for yourself but also for everything else you care about.
There is great and unique beauty within you. That beauty longs to, and absolutely deserves to see the light of day.
So let go of the pretenses, and the fears and apprehensions, and let yourself be you. Bring life’s goodness more fully into being, in your own delightful way.
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