Monday, December 9, 2019
Today's Gift
Do not be too timid and squeamish about your actions. All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better. What if they are a little coarse, and you may get your coat soiled or torn? What if you do fail, and get fairly rolled in the dirt once or twice? Up again; you shall never be so afraid of a tumble. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson
Fear can be a big stopper for many of us: fear of fragility, fear of failure, fear of making a mistake, fear of what others might think, fear of success. We may second-guess our next action or word until we talk ourselves out of participating in life.
"But I failed before!" "I can't do it good enough!" "Look at what happened last time!" "What if… .?" These statements may disguise fear. Sometimes the fear is disguising shame.
After I finished the first two chapters of a book I was writing, I read them and grimaced. "No good," I thought. "Can't do it." I was ready to pitch the chapters, and my writing career, out the window. A writer friend called, and I told her about my problem. She listened and told me: "those chapters are fine. Stop being afraid. Stop criticizing yourself. And keep on writing."
I followed her advice. The book I almost threw away became a New York Times best seller.
Relax. Our best is good enough. It may be better than we think. Even our failures may turn out to be important learning experiences that lead directly to—and are necessary for—an upcoming success.
Feel the fear, then let it go. Jump in and do it—whatever it is. If our instincts and path have led us there, it's where we need to be.
Today, I will participate in life to the best of my ability. Regardless of the outcome, that makes me a winner.
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
Life is a process, one that is continuously changing. And with each change, we are offered unexpected opportunities for growth. Change is what fosters our development as a person. It encourages us to risk new behavior and may even result in some mistakes. Fortunately, no mistakes can seriously hinder us. In fact, most mistakes give us an additional opportunity to learn.
Where we stand today is far removed from our position last year, or even last week. Each and every moment offers us new input that influences any decision from this moment forward. The process that we're participating in guarantees our growth as long as we remain conscious of our opportunities and willingly respond to them. We can be glad that the life process is, in fact, never static. always moving, always inviting us to participate fully.
Action for the Day: I will have the courage to make a mistake today. It's a promise of growth.
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
Henry Ford once made a wise remark to the effect that experience
is the thing of supreme value in life. That is true only if one is willing
to turn the past to good account. We grow by our willingness to face
and rectify errors and convert them into assets.
- Alcoholics Anonymous, (The Family Afterward) p. 124
Thought to Ponder
If you want to change who you are, change what you do.
AA-related 'Alconym'
H O W = Honesty, Open-mindedness, Willingness
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Daily Motivation
Excerpt of The Daily Motivator
The value of fear
by Ralph Marston
Fear can be valuable when you decide to put it to use. The purpose of fear is not to stop you, but to prepare you. Fear is strong and compelling, and it can certainly be transformed into an excuse for not taking action. Yet that same strength can also be directed in a more positive way, in a way that will, rather than stopping you, make your actions more effective.
Fear heightens your awareness of any situation. That can give you a tremendous advantage. Fear points out what can go wrong, so you can be ready for the obstacles which arise. Fear gives you energy and excitement which can be channeled into enthusiasm.
Fear will focus you like nothing else can. And with enough focus, there are no limits to what you can accomplish. Feel the fear. Don’t hide from it. Appreciate fear for what it is. Use it to move you powerfully forward.
Fear can be valuable when you decide to put it to use. The purpose of fear is not to stop you, but to prepare you. Fear is strong and compelling, and it can certainly be transformed into an excuse for not taking action. Yet that same strength can also be directed in a more positive way, in a way that will, rather than stopping you, make your actions more effective.
Fear heightens your awareness of any situation. That can give you a tremendous advantage. Fear points out what can go wrong, so you can be ready for the obstacles which arise. Fear gives you energy and excitement which can be channeled into enthusiasm.
Fear will focus you like nothing else can. And with enough focus, there are no limits to what you can accomplish. Feel the fear. Don’t hide from it. Appreciate fear for what it is. Use it to move you powerfully forward.
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