Tuesday, December 24, 2019
Today's Gift
It's Christmas Eve. It's the one night of the year when we all act a little nicer, we smile a little easier, we cheer a little more. For a couple of hours out of the whole year, we are the people that we always hoped we would be. --Frank Cross, "Scrooged"
The Holidays
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? Close 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
********************************
Twenty-Four Hours a Day
Keep It Simple
We not only need to be willing to give, but also to be open to receiving from others.---from On Hope
Many of us took so much from others during our addiction that now we may not want to ask for anything.
We may be afraid to ask for help, so our needs go unmet. In fact, many of us would rather give than receive. In recovery, we need to understand the difference between taking and receiving. Giving to others is important. So is receiving from others. As we grow spiritually, we learn to accept gifts. The gift of sobriety teaches us this. We need to accept the gifts the world gives us without shame. We are entitled.
Our Higher Power loves us and will give us much if we're willing to receive it.
Prayer for the Day: Higher Power, help me be receptive to Your gifts. Help me see and believe that I'm entitled to all the happiness of the world.
Action for the Day: I'll think of what a friend has given me. I'll thank this friend.
From: Bluidkiti's Alcohol and Drug Addictions Recovery Help/Support Forums Daily Recovery Readings - http://www.bluidkiti.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=2
****************************
One Day At A Time
Practical experience shows that nothing will so much insure
immunity from drinking as intensive work with other alcoholics.
It works when other activities fail. This is our twelfth suggestion:
Carry this message to other alcoholics! You can help when no one
else can. You can secure their confidence when others fail.
- Alcoholics Anonymous, (Working With Others) p. 89
Thought to Ponder
Get it - Give it - Grow in it.
AA-related 'Alconym'
S P O N S O R = Sober Person Offering Newcomers Suggestions On Recovery
***************************
Daily Motivation
Excerpt of The Daily Motivator
Love for life
by Ralph Marston
Imagine today that you can simply let go of the tensions, of the pretensions, and love your life. That you can love others without needing to control their actions or influence their thoughts.
You can give the best of yourself, and you can let that be enough. You can approach every encounter with a genuine desire to do what is right, what is good.
Instead of seeking to gain advantage, you can discover new joy, new beauty, in life as it is. You can magnify your effectiveness by minimizing the demands of your ego.
Imagine earning the respect of others without inviting their resentment. That happens when you live, and give, with authenticity, with understanding, with love.
An enjoyable position in life is of no use if you’re not able to enjoy it. Your genuine love for life, and for all who live it, enables that enjoyment and fulfillment.
Look at the world, and approach each moment, with a love for life. Let go of whatever engenders conflict, and make space for new goodness to flourish.
Imagine today that you can simply let go of the tensions, of the pretensions, and love your life. That you can love others without needing to control their actions or influence their thoughts.
You can give the best of yourself, and you can let that be enough. You can approach every encounter with a genuine desire to do what is right, what is good.
Instead of seeking to gain advantage, you can discover new joy, new beauty, in life as it is. You can magnify your effectiveness by minimizing the demands of your ego.
Imagine earning the respect of others without inviting their resentment. That happens when you live, and give, with authenticity, with understanding, with love.
An enjoyable position in life is of no use if you’re not able to enjoy it. Your genuine love for life, and for all who live it, enables that enjoyment and fulfillment.
Look at the world, and approach each moment, with a love for life. Let go of whatever engenders conflict, and make space for new goodness to flourish.
From The Daily Motivator website at http://greatday.com/
No comments:
Post a Comment