Wednesday, April 22, 2020
Today's Gift
Times of stress are also times that are signals for growth, and if we use adversity properly, we can grow through adversity. – Abraham Twerski
Inevitably, there are times of stress in our lives, no matter how long we've been in recovery.
Sometimes, the stress is outside or around us. We're feeling balanced, but our circumstances are stressful. Sometimes, the stress is within; we feel out of balance.
When the stress is external and internal, we experience our most difficult times.
During stressful times, we can rely more heavily on our support systems. Our friends and family can help us feel more balanced and peaceful in spite of our stressful conditions.
Affirming that the events taking place are a temporarily uncomfortable part of a good, solid plan can help. We can assure ourselves that we will get through. We won't be destroyed. We won't crumple or go under.
It helps to go back to the basics to focus on detachment, dealing with feelings, and taking life one day at a time.
Our most important focus during times of stress is taking care of ourselves. We are better able to cope with the most irregular circumstances; we are better able to be there for others, if we're caring for ourselves. We can ask ourselves regularly: What do we need to do to take care of ourselves? What might help us feel better or more comfortable?
Self-care may not come as easily during times of stress. Self-neglect may feel more comfortable. But taking care of us always works.
Today, I will remember that there is no situation that can't be benefited by taking care of myself.
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
Our lives are like streams which flow through time. Looking at the flow of our whole lives, we see the interconnections of many days that seemed minor. Each day contributes to the stream of goals and faith and relationships. As we look at the flow of a whole river, we see at its beginning a little trickle of water here, joining another trickle there, slowly gathering together a stream that develops force and direction.
We may look for intensity in our lives and ignore the quiet. Much of our lives may have been lived on a roller coaster of major crises. As terrible as it seemed, it was not dull. Today may seem rather boring. But in recovery we learn to appreciate the more subtle trickle that a good day can be. Simply continuing with the flow - of our program, of faithfulness to our values, of being emotionally present in our relationships - adds up to a rich life.
Action for the Day: May I see the continuity of my life in the simple moments of this day.
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
In all times of emotional disturbance or indecision, we can pause,
ask for quiet, and in the stillness simply say: "Grant me the
serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change
the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference..."
- Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, (Step Three) pp. 40 - 41
Thought to Ponder
Serenity isn't freedom from the storm; it is peace within the storm.
AA-related 'Alconym'
A S A P = Always Say A Prayer
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
You can find great peace in acceptance. When you’re not consumed with proving one thing or opposing another, you’re free to create real value.
A few issues are clearly worth fighting for, and some others are necessary to fight against. Most, however, you can simply accept, and quickly enable yourself to move forward.
There will always be plenty of things you don’t agree with. But that doesn’t mean you have to drain all your energy by being disagreeable or miserable.
Take a deep breath, and accept it. You don’t have to agree with it, or like it, or even think about it any more.
Accept it, and then you can devote your full attention to what you really care about. Accept it, and save yourself the pain of resentment, of retribution, of hostility.
Don’t fight those useless battles that will never produce a winner. Accept what has happened, what has been said, what is, and free yourself to make the very best of it.
From The Daily Motivator website at http://greatday.com/
You can find great peace in acceptance. When you’re not consumed with proving one thing or opposing another, you’re free to create real value.
A few issues are clearly worth fighting for, and some others are necessary to fight against. Most, however, you can simply accept, and quickly enable yourself to move forward.
There will always be plenty of things you don’t agree with. But that doesn’t mean you have to drain all your energy by being disagreeable or miserable.
Take a deep breath, and accept it. You don’t have to agree with it, or like it, or even think about it any more.
Accept it, and then you can devote your full attention to what you really care about. Accept it, and save yourself the pain of resentment, of retribution, of hostility.
Don’t fight those useless battles that will never produce a winner. Accept what has happened, what has been said, what is, and free yourself to make the very best of it.
From The Daily Motivator website at http://greatday.com/
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