Tuesday, July 28, 2020
Today's Gift
To be human means having “defects of character.”
Perfection, our own and others’, was (and still is, for some of us), a burdensome expectation we have dragged everywhere. And because we’ve expected the impossible, we’ve lived either in perpetual shame over our own failings or in guilt over how we have treated others who were only human.
Many of us grew up with parents who demanded perfection. We never quite satisfied them, but we did, quite perfectly, learn how to expect perfection from others. It’s important to remember that our parents did the best they could and that we shouldn’t blame them for all our defects of character. But there is something we can do about our defects.
A big load is removed from our shoulders when we give up our obsession with perfection. Although it has worked in our favor on occasion, perhaps on a work assignment, the need for perfection is not something we have always kept in perspective. Sincerely doing our best is really quite good enough. The Universe expects nothing more.
I will try to do my best today, but I will not feel ashamed if I make mistakes.
From the book A Life of My Own, Meditations on Hope and Acceptance ©
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
—Karen Giordino
We are vulnerable human beings. We are susceptible to accidents and disease, and we can get bogged down in unhealthy thinking. We aren't at fault when we catch a cold or get a more serious illness, and accidents can happen to anyone. In the same way our addictions and the addictions of people we are close to are not our fault. We never asked for these afflictions, yet we must deal with them.
Physical and spiritual health can't be separated. A thriving spiritual life creates an environment for physical healing and strength. In the same way, physical well-being infuses our spirit with hope and joy. Human beings cannot go through life without sometimes being ill in either mind or body. Living by this program helps make us healthier in all ways. When we are bogged down, we can turn to one of the Steps as a means of healing and release.
Action for the Day: Today, I will remember that I am a whole man, with body and spirit as one. As I turn to the Steps, my whole being is healed.
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
To those who have made progress in A.A., it amounts to a clear
recognition of what and who we really are, followed by a sincere
attempt to become what we could be. Therefore, our first practical
move toward humility must consist of recognizing our deficiencies.
No defect can be corrected unless we clearly see what it is.
- Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, (Step Five) p. 58
Thought to Ponder
Humility is not thinking less of myself, but thinking of myself less.
AA-related 'Alconym'
P R I D E = Personal Recovery Involves Deflating Ego
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
This is a day of great opportunity. Because this is a day when you’re able to take action.
Look clearly and soberly at the challenges that face you today. See the new value and strength you will build by tackling those challenges.
If you feel even the least bit of discouragement go ahead and embrace the feeling. That gives you control, and you can then utilize that control to let the discouragement go.
When the going gets tedious, complicated, frustrating, break the pattern. Stand up, stride forward, shake off the doubt and despair, and get back on a positive track.
Keep reminding yourself what your actions will accomplish. Take whatever energy comes your way and apply it toward the goals you’ve set.
Feel how great it is to transform today’s opportunity into achievement. Treasure the chance to do it again and again.
This is a day of great opportunity. Because this is a day when you’re able to take action.
Look clearly and soberly at the challenges that face you today. See the new value and strength you will build by tackling those challenges.
If you feel even the least bit of discouragement go ahead and embrace the feeling. That gives you control, and you can then utilize that control to let the discouragement go.
When the going gets tedious, complicated, frustrating, break the pattern. Stand up, stride forward, shake off the doubt and despair, and get back on a positive track.
Keep reminding yourself what your actions will accomplish. Take whatever energy comes your way and apply it toward the goals you’ve set.
Feel how great it is to transform today’s opportunity into achievement. Treasure the chance to do it again and again.
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