"...I discovered that I don't have to react just because I have been provoked, and I don't have to take harsh words to heart. I can remember that they are coming from someone who may be in pain, and try to show a little compassion." 1

My share: It took me a long time to realize that I don't have to participate in an argument. At first, I found it ( Read more... )

A searching and fearless inventory 1

My share: I find that in recovery, I must constantly evaluate myself, including my assets, behavior and shortcomings. I acknowledge my good points, and evaluate my mistakes. Looking at myself honestly ensures that I continue to grow spiritually.

1 Courage to change, Al-anon Family Groups, pg. 63.

"You are reading this (book) right now. It's you that drew this into your life, and it's your choice whether you want to take it and utilize it, if it feels good. If it doesn't feel good, then let it go. Find something that feels good, that  resonates with your heart." 1

My share: A friend of mine who is a life coach mentioned this book, and I  ( Read more... )

"Nothing that is worth doing can be done alone, but has to be done with others.
--Dr. Reinhold Niebuhr" 1

My share: Of course, I want to keep growing spiritually. But, I cannot do it alone. I have to keep reaching out to others and my Higher Power or God. This includes praying and meditating, going to 12-step meetings and sharing with trusted friends ( Read more... )

"The great pleasure in life is doing what people say you cannot do.
--Walter Babehot" 1

My share: One of my character defects is that I tend to underestimate my abilities. If I give myself a chance to try something new, I may be surprised.

1 http://www.hazelden.org/web/public/thought.view

"If I feel ashamed, I need a reality check because my thinking is probably distorted. Even though it may take great courage, if I share about it with an (Al-anon) friend, I will interrupt the self-destructive thoughts and make room for a more loving and nurturing point of view." 1

My share: I often get down on myself for mistakes I made in the past ( Read more... )

"We can choose how we respond to an obstacle. ... our response may be to curse and give up, to sit back and wait for someone else to help us, or to set to work fearlessly to try to overcome it ourselves. The event itself isn't important; how we think about it is." 1

My share: This is the perfect meditation for my day today. Right now, I have many ( Read more... )

"Today I will try not to condemn parts of myself while accepting other parts. I am a composite, and I love myself best when I embrace all that I am." 1

My share: Part of my character defects I adopted while growing up in a dysfunctional family. Some of them I adopted for survival. Today I will accept myself as I am and strive for positive change, ( Read more... )

“In spite of everything I still believe that people are really good at heart.
--Anne Frank

In the face of being hunted for extermination, Anne Frank could write this from her hiding place in an attic. Was she naive? No. She deeply believed in the goodness of creation and the goodness of all creatures, including those who persecuted and murdered her ( Read more... )

“United souls are not satisfied with embraces, but desire to be truly each other.
--Sir Thomas Browne”

My share: Rather than focus on our differences with one another, let us celebrate what we have in common. No two things in creation are the same. Let’s give each other space so we can breathe.

http://www.hazelden.org/web/public/thought.view