You
are reading from the book Today's Gift.
If it's sanity you're after, there's no recipe like laughter. --Henry
Rutherford Elliot
A smile is the earliest form of communication. A human infant smiles in
the first few weeks of life. As the child grows, it learns how to turn
the smile into a laugh--a joyous response reflecting pleasure.
A sense of humor, a feeling of fun, and an ability to laugh are all
signs of emotional maturity. Healthy laughter frees us; it is the
sunshine that makes life's shadows interesting. When we develop the
ability to see the humor in a situation, we gain the ability to handle
it.
We were born with smiles. They are as much a part of us as our teeth
and hair. Polished and cared for, our smiles can grow into a sense of
humor that will help us through the painful times.
How can I turn troubles into smiles today?
You are reading from the book Touchstones.
If you do not express your own original ideas, if you do not listen to
your own being, you will have betrayed yourself. --Rollo May
Those of us who go around trying to be right and do everything right
are likely to betray ourselves. We stifle our impulses and control our
intuition because we can't be certain that we are correct. As a
spiritual exercise, we could stop now and listen to our inner selves
and state our own ideas. What comes out may break the illusion of
perfection and free us to proceed with life.
We all have original ideas if we just notice them. What images come to
mind while listening to music? What do our dreams tell us? New insights
sometimes come by physical activity. Conversation with a friend can
help lead us to our wisdom. Our growing strength as recovering men
requires that we listen to our own messages and then take some risks to
express them.
Today, I will take risks by stating my ideas. I will stand up for
myself by listening to my intuition.
You are reading from the book Each Day a New Beginning.
The change of one simple behavior can affect other behaviors and thus
change many things. --Jean Baer
Our behavior tells others and ourselves, who we are. Frequently, we
find ourselves behaving in ways that keep us stuck or embarrass us. Or
we may feel deep shame for our behavior in a certain instance. Our
behavior will never totally please us. But deciding we want to change
some behavior and using the program to help us, is a first step.
Remember, imperfections are human and very acceptable. However,
changing a particular behavior, maybe deciding to take a walk every
morning rather than sleeping 30 extra minutes, will change how we feel
about ourselves. And a minor change such as this can have a remarkable
effect on our outlook, our attitudes.
The dilemma for many of us for so long was the fear we couldn't change.
But we can. And we can help each other change, too.
One small change today--a smile at the first person I meet--meditation
before dinner--a few minutes of exercise--will help me chart a new
course. I will encourage another woman to join me in this effort too,
and I will be on my way.
You are reading from the book The Language of Letting Go.
Times of Reprogramming
Do not ask for love unless you're ready to be healed enough to give and
receive love.
Do not ask for joy unless you're ready to feel and release your pain,
so you can feel joy.
Do not ask for success unless you're ready to conquer the behaviors
that would sabotage success.
Wouldn't it be nice if we could imagine ourselves having or becoming -
and then immediately receiving - what we wanted? We can have and be the
good things we want. All good things are ours for the asking. But
first, groundwork - preparation work - must be done.
A gardener would not plant seeds unless the ground was adequately
prepared to nurture and nourish those seeds. The planting would be
wasted effort. It would be wasted effort for us to get what we wanted
before we were ready.
First, we need to become aware of our need or desire. This may not be
easy! Many of us have become accustomed to shutting off the inner voice
of our wants, needs, and desires. Sometimes, life has to work hard to
get our attention.
Next we let go of the old programming: the behavior and beliefs that
interfere with nurturing and nourishing the good. Many of us have
strong sabotaging programs, learned from childhood, that need to be
released. We may need to act as if for a while until the belief that we
deserve the good becomes real.
We combine this process with much letting go, while we are being
changed at the core.
There is naturalness to this process, but it can be intense. Things
take time.
Good things are ours for the asking, if we are willing to participate
in the work of groundbreaking. Work and wait.
Today, God, give me the courage to identify the good I want in my life
and to ask for it. Give me also the faith and stamina I need to go
through the work that must be accomplished first.
Today I choose to feel love in this moment. Today I choose to let love
fill my day and bring joy. --Ruth Fishel