Friday, August 23, 2019
Today's Gift
Self Care
When will we become lovable? When will we feel safe? When will we get all the protection, nurturing, and love we so richly deserve? We will get it when we begin giving it to ourselves.
—Beyond Codependency
The idea of giving ourselves what we want and need can be confusing, especially if we have spent many years not knowing that it's okay to take care of ourselves. Taking our energy and focus off others and their responsibilities and placing that energy on to our responsibilities and ourselves is a recovery behavior that can be acquired. We learn it by daily practice.
We begin by relaxing, by breathing deeply, and letting go of our fears enough to feel as peaceful as we can. Then, we ask ourselves: What do I need to do to take care of myself today, or for this moment?
What do I need and want to do?
What would demonstrate love and self-responsibility?
Am I caught up in the belief that others are responsible for making me happy, responsible for me? Then the first thing I need to do is correct my belief system. I am responsible for myself.
Do I feel anxious and concerned about a responsibility I've been neglecting? Then perhaps I need to let go of my fears and tend to that responsibility.
Do I feel overwhelmed, out of control? Maybe I need to remember to "Let go and Let God."
Have I been working too hard? Maybe what I need to do is take some time off and do something fun.
Have I been neglecting my work on daily tasks? Then maybe what I need to do is get back to my routine.
There is no recipe, no formula, no guidebook for self care. We each have a guide, and that guide is within us. We need to ask the question: What do I need to do to take loving, responsible care of myself? Then, we need to listen to the answer. Self-care is not that difficult. The most challenging part is trusting the answer, and having the courage to follow through once we hear it.
Today, I will focus on taking care of myself. I will trust myself and my Higher Power to guide me in this process.
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
To love oneself is the beginning of a lifelong romance. Oscar Wilde
There’s a big difference between being self-centered and having self love. We’re self-centered when we think we don’t need people. We might think, “I’m more important than others.” Being self-centered ends up hurting us.
It makes us lonely. It keeps us from our Higher Power. Addiction is about being self-centered.
Recovery and the Twelve Steps are about self-love. If we love ourselves, we say, “We’re all equal and in need of each other.” Self-love includes having good relationships.
It includes trusting that they we’ll do what is best, with the help of our Higher Power. We must believe in ourselves to trust others.
Prayer for the Day: Higher Power, help me love myself as You love me. Help me take good care of myself.
Action for the Day: Today, I’ll list three things I like about myself. I’ll talk with a friend and share these things. I’ll ask my friend what they like about me.
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
People who love laugh more and believe that a day without laughter is a lost day.
Love is the cement for the unity we need in AA.
It joins the power of the mind and the heart for emotional growth.
- The Best of the Grapevine [Vol. 3], p. 297
Thought to Ponder . . .
Take time to laugh -- it is the music of the soul.
AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
H J F = Happy, Joyous, Free
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Daily Motivation
Excerpt of The Daily Motivator
by Ralph Marston
There’s someone in your life who can be very valuable to you. Someone who can offer you excellent advice. Someone who understands you. Someone with whom you can easily communicate. That person is YOU.
Unfortunately, most of us don’t devote very much time to being with ourselves. We’re too busy with the pressing day-to-day concerns of life. We’re too busy worried about what other people want, or think, or do.
Many people never realize their greatness because they get sidetracked by life. They forget about their dreams. Don’t let this happen to you. Get in the habit of spending quality time with yourself on a daily basis. Remind yourself of your purpose in life, of your dreams and ambitions.
Listen to your own thoughts. Explore your feelings. Indulge your ideas and your fantasies.
You are your greatest asset. There’s a wonderful, unique person inside of you. Someone who has many things to offer the world. Get to know yourself. Become the person you were meant to be.
From The Daily Motivator website at http://greatday.com/
There’s someone in your life who can be very valuable to you. Someone who can offer you excellent advice. Someone who understands you. Someone with whom you can easily communicate. That person is YOU.
Unfortunately, most of us don’t devote very much time to being with ourselves. We’re too busy with the pressing day-to-day concerns of life. We’re too busy worried about what other people want, or think, or do.
Many people never realize their greatness because they get sidetracked by life. They forget about their dreams. Don’t let this happen to you. Get in the habit of spending quality time with yourself on a daily basis. Remind yourself of your purpose in life, of your dreams and ambitions.
Listen to your own thoughts. Explore your feelings. Indulge your ideas and your fantasies.
You are your greatest asset. There’s a wonderful, unique person inside of you. Someone who has many things to offer the world. Get to know yourself. Become the person you were meant to be.
From The Daily Motivator website at http://greatday.com/
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