Wednesday, December 4, 2019
Today's Gift
In the depths of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer. —Albert Camus
Sometimes we suddenly see or sense opposite emotions within ourselves. The cold of winter presses in on us, and we may feel tested by its bite. Yet, when we think we cannot bear it a moment longer, we find a counterforce within, an inner reassurance that comes like a summer breeze and says we can do what we must. Perhaps it comes in a time of dark despair, and we realize that at least we've made it this far. We are pretty tough. In our deepest sadness about the loss of a love, we may find a more meaningful contact with our Higher Power.
The opposites in our lives may tempt us to fight them. One side may be very clear and obvious while the other side is hidden. When we are open, these extremes are spiritual teachers for us. As we think about life and our feelings today, what opposites do we find?
Today, I will remember that I have an invincible summer at the deepest part of winter in my life.
From Touchstones: A Book of Daily Meditations for Men ©
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
Walk In Dry Places
The Lure of Greener Pastures
Gratitude
One of our old-timers spent a great deal of time trying to find a new job but never succeeding. When he finally retired, on a good pension, it became clear that the job he had kept was probably better and provided more benefits than any job he had been seeking. He was fortunate that none of his proposed job searches ever worked out.
The fantasy of finding "greener pastures" is something many of us face, in both drinking and sobriety.
We may be very well off where we are, yet feel that something rich and exciting is over in the next meadow. We can feel this way about our jobs, our lifestyles, and our locations.
The answer to this greener-pastures obsession is to feel more gratitude for what we have here and now. We might also focus more upon today's activities and less upon impossible dreams of other places.
Action for the day: There may be greener pastures somewhere, but I'll first look for the opportunities and benefits of my own life and surroundings. I may be richly blessed without knowing it.
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
Sometimes we hear an alcoholic say that the only thing they need
to do is to keep sober. Certainly they must keep sober, for there will
be no home if they don't. But they are yet a long way from making good
to the spouse or parents whom for years they have so shockingly treated.
- Alcoholics Anonymous (Into Action) p. 82
Thought to Ponder
It is the highest form of self-respect to
admit mistakes and to make amends for them.
AA-related 'Alconym'
A A = Accountable Actions
From: AA Thought for the Day (courtesy AA-Alive.net) http://www.aa-alive.net/index.html
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Daily Motivation
Excerpt of The Daily Motivator
by Ralph Marston
Could you devote thirty seconds to focused effort, and see how it goes? If it works well, could you give another thirty seconds, and another?
Could you take just one half minute, shut out all distractions, and give complete attention to your effort? Could you possibly continue in that state, just a minute at a time, for a lot longer?
Focused effort feels amazing, once you make the commitment to it. And, with focused effort you can achieve spectacular results.
You’re already doing great work, and yet you’re capable of so much more. Imagine what you could accomplish by choosing, a little more often, the power of focused effort.
Always there is much to be done, and you can feel like you need to put it all in front of you at once. Yet that severely dilutes your efforts, and you can end up further behind than when you started.
Shift your attention away from the commotion. Choose, right now, the power of focused effort, and get some great work done.
From The Daily Motivator website at http://greatday.com/
Could you devote thirty seconds to focused effort, and see how it goes? If it works well, could you give another thirty seconds, and another?
Could you take just one half minute, shut out all distractions, and give complete attention to your effort? Could you possibly continue in that state, just a minute at a time, for a lot longer?
Focused effort feels amazing, once you make the commitment to it. And, with focused effort you can achieve spectacular results.
You’re already doing great work, and yet you’re capable of so much more. Imagine what you could accomplish by choosing, a little more often, the power of focused effort.
Always there is much to be done, and you can feel like you need to put it all in front of you at once. Yet that severely dilutes your efforts, and you can end up further behind than when you started.
Shift your attention away from the commotion. Choose, right now, the power of focused effort, and get some great work done.
From The Daily Motivator website at http://greatday.com/
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