Tuesday, December 25, 2018
Today's Gift
Christmas is not as much about opening our presents as opening our hearts. – Janice Maeditere
Sometimes, the holidays are filled with the joy we associate with that time of year. The season flows. Magic is in the air.
Sometimes, the holidays can be difficult and lonely.
Here are some ideas I've learned through personal experience, and practice, to help us get through difficult holidays:
Deal with feelings, but try not to dwell unduly on them. Put the holidays in perspective: A holiday is one day out of 365. We can get through any 24-hour period.
Get through the day, but be aware that there may be a post-holiday backlash. Sometimes, if we use our survival behaviors to get through the day, the feelings will catch up to us the next day. Deal with them too. Get back on track as quickly as possible.
Find and cherish the love that's available, even if it's not exactly what we want. Is there someone we can give love to and receive love from? Recovering friends? Is there a family who would enjoy sharing their holiday with us? Don't be a martyr - go. There may be those who would appreciate our offer to share our day with them.
We are not in the minority if we find ourselves experiencing a less than ideal holiday. How easy, but untrue, to tell ourselves the rest of the world is experiencing the perfect holiday, and we're alone in conflict.
We can create our own holiday agenda. Buy yourself a present. Find someone to whom you can give. Unleash your loving, nurturing self and give in to the holiday spirit.
Maybe past holidays haven't been terrific. Maybe this year wasn't terrific. But next year can be better, and the next a little better. Work toward a better life - one that meets your needs. Before long, you'll have it.
Higher Power, help me enjoy and cherish this holiday. If my situation is less than ideal, help me take what's good and let go of the rest.
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
Through the program, we come to desire spiritual gifts as well as material necessities. Experience shows us that serenity is priceless and something to be desired. Courage, wisdom, faith, hope, love, humility - these are all spiritual gifts which come to us from our Higher Power as we abstain and work our program.
As we receive these gifts of the spirit, we are able to share them with others. Giving them away to our families and friends ensures that we will receive them more abundantly ourselves. We come to realize that a small gift of time and attention can mean more than an expensive material present.
Our Higher Power's gifts are available to us whenever we are open to receive them. By abstaining, we make our spirits ready to accept their rightful gifts.
Action for the Day: I will pray that I may be ready to accept Your spiritual gifts.
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
Peace on Earth
Most of us feel we need look no further for Utopia.
We have it with us right here and now.
Each day my friend’s simple talk in our kitchen multiplies itself
in a widening circle of peace on earth and good will to men
- Alcoholics Anonymous, "Bill's Story," p. 16
Thought to Ponder
The Three "P's" -- Perseverance, Patience, Peace.
AA-related 'Alconym'
H O P E = Hang On! Peace Exists
From: AA Thought for the Day (courtesy AA-Alive.net)
Excerpt of The Daily Motivator
by Ralph Marston
There is a light in the darkness. It is love; it is joy.
There is a pure and simple radiance with a positive, joyous power. It warms the hearts of those who value peace and love.
The spirit of Christmas transcends beliefs, traditions, culture and customs. It speaks directly to the heart, of love and grace, of giving and of renewal.
In the pure, limitless power of love, life is created and sustained. In the radiance of this day, love’s presence is joyously expressed again and again, in countless ways.
In this moment, new life begins. And love is the ever-present purpose that drives every other purpose.
On this day, you have a glimpse of how truly blessed you are. Give love, give joy, and you have even more.
There is a light in the darkness. It is love; it is joy.
There is a pure and simple radiance with a positive, joyous power. It warms the hearts of those who value peace and love.
The spirit of Christmas transcends beliefs, traditions, culture and customs. It speaks directly to the heart, of love and grace, of giving and of renewal.
In the pure, limitless power of love, life is created and sustained. In the radiance of this day, love’s presence is joyously expressed again and again, in countless ways.
In this moment, new life begins. And love is the ever-present purpose that drives every other purpose.
On this day, you have a glimpse of how truly blessed you are. Give love, give joy, and you have even more.
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