Friday, December 18, 2020
Today's Gift
Nurturing Ourselves
Many of us have been so deprived of nurturing that we think it's silly or self-indulgent. Nurturing is neither silly nor self-indulgent; it's how we show love for ourselves. That's what we're striving for in recovery - a loving relationship with ourselves that works, so we can have loving relationships with others that work.
When we hurt, we ask ourselves what we need to help us feel better. When we feel alone, we reach out to someone safe. Without feeling that we are a burden, we allow that person to be there for us.
We rest when we're tired; eat when we're hungry; have fun or relax when our spirits need a lift. Nurturing means giving ourselves gifts - a trip to the beauty salon or barbershop, a massage, a book, a new jacket, or a new suit or dress. It means a long, hot bath to forget about our problems and the world for a few moments when that would feel good.
We learn to be gentle with ourselves and to open up to the nurturing that others have to offer us.
As part of nurturing ourselves, we allow ourselves to give and receive positive touch - touch that feels appropriate to us, touch that is safe. We reject touch that doesn't feel good or safe and is not positive.
We learn to give ourselves what we need in a gentle, loving, compassionate way. We do this with the understanding it will not make us lazy, spoiled, self centered, or narcissistic. Nurtured people are effective in their work and in their relationships.
We will learn to feel loved by ourselves so much that we can truly love others and let them love us.
Today, I will nurture myself. I will also be open to the nurturing that I can give to others and receive from them.
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 DayKeep It Simple
Have we each found an activity that takes us outside of ourselves? An activity that gives us a place to focus our attention? Being self-centered and focused on ourselves accompanies the illness we're struggling to recover from. The decision to quit preoccupying on ourselves, our own struggles with life, is not easy to maintain. But when we have an activity that excites us, on which we periodically concentrate our attention, we are strengthened. And the more we get outside of ourselves, the more aware we become that "all is well."
It seems our struggles are intensified as women. So often we face difficult situations at work and with children, alone. The preoccupation with our problems exaggerates them. And the vicious cycle entraps us. However, we don't have to stay trapped. We can pursue a hobby. We can take a class, join a health club. We can dare to follow whatever our desire--to try something new. We need to experience freedom from the inner turmoil in order to know that we deserve even more freedom.
Action for the Day: Emotional health is just around the corner. I will turn my attention to the world outside myself.
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
I spent most of my life worrying about myself, thinking that I was unwanted, that I was unloved.
I've learned since being in AA that the more I worry about me loving you,
and the less I worry about you loving me, the happier I'll be. . .
I have learned that the more I give, the more I will have; the more I learn to give, the more I learn to live.
- Experience, Strength and Hope, p. 218
Thought to Ponder . . .
I have learned how a heart full of gratitude feels.
AA-related 'Alconym' . . .
A A = Always Awesome
From: AA Thought for the Day (courtesy AA-Alive.net) http://www.aa-alive.net/index.html
***************************Daily MotivationExcerpt of The Daily Motivator
Self interest
It is not from the benevolence of the butcher,
the brewer, or the baker that we expect our dinner,
but from their regard to their own interest.
-- Adam Smith
Take care of yourself first. No matter how much you may want to give to others, if you don’t have anything yourself, then you have nothing to give.
Self interest is not selfish. It is highly responsible. Taking care of yourself means being responsible for yourself, and there is nothing selfish about that.
Self interest is a powerful creative force. Because she knows she will be rewarded, the scientist works diligently to develop a new medicine. Because he knows he will be rewarded, the investor finances a new venture.
The more you take care of your self, of your own needs and desires, the more you have to contribute to life. And the more you have to contribute, the more you become. It is an upward spiral that begins when you take responsibility for your own life, and begin to look out for your own interest. Everyone benefits when you take care of yourself.
From The Daily Motivator website at http://greatday.com/
the brewer, or the baker that we expect our dinner,
but from their regard to their own interest.
-- Adam Smith
Take care of yourself first. No matter how much you may want to give to others, if you don’t have anything yourself, then you have nothing to give.
Self interest is not selfish. It is highly responsible. Taking care of yourself means being responsible for yourself, and there is nothing selfish about that.
Self interest is a powerful creative force. Because she knows she will be rewarded, the scientist works diligently to develop a new medicine. Because he knows he will be rewarded, the investor finances a new venture.
The more you take care of your self, of your own needs and desires, the more you have to contribute to life. And the more you have to contribute, the more you become. It is an upward spiral that begins when you take responsibility for your own life, and begin to look out for your own interest. Everyone benefits when you take care of yourself.
From The Daily Motivator website at http://greatday.com/
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