Saturday, October 28, 2006

October 28

REFLECTION FOR TODAY

We never fail until we quit trying. The battle is never over until we win or quit. Often we are tempted in times of distress to become discouraged and throw up our hands in defeat. Discouragement is actually a clue to make us pause and see what needs to be changed. It is time to pray for direction and then try and try again. Usually it is easier to quit, but how proud we are - and have a right to be - when we stick to it and win our personal "war."

MEDITATION FOR TODAY

Help us to keep on keeping on, even when the going is tough.

TODAY I WILL REMEMBER

Never quit trying!

Emotions Anonymous, Order Today

Friday, October 27, 2006

October 27

REFLECTION FOR TODAY

I really feel great when someone lets me know they appreciate me. In thinking about that, I realized how often I feel appreciative of others and do not express that feeling in words. I seem to take it for granted they will know my feelings without hearing them. This applies to all the people I deal with: my spouse, my children, co-workers, and sales people, for example. From my own experiences I know that just to know one is appreciated can mean a great deal. On this day I will express my appreciation. I will let others know how much they mean to me and how I admire and am grateful for their efforts. I will be certain to include members of my family, who usually bear the brunt of my criticisms.

MEDITATION FOR TODAY

May I remember that to someone who is feeling discouraged, appreciation can make the difference between giving up and holding on.

TODAY I WILL REMEMBER

Appreciate - not denigrate!

Emotions Anonymous, Order Today

Thursday, October 26, 2006

October 26

REFLECTION FOR TODAY

The more we are able to embrace our sorrow and learn from it, the more we will also be capable of experiencing greaty joy. Yet to embrace our sorrow takes a great deal of courage. So often we try to soften or resist our pain. In every painful situation there is a lesson to be learned. Our willingness to be open to this learning ultimately brings us to experience a greater joy than we had believed possible.

MEDITATION FOR TODAY

May I hang on during my painful times, knowing my pain will eventually turn again into joy.

TODAY I WILL REMEMBER

The depth of my sorrow mirrors the peak of my joy.

Emotions Anonymous, Order Today

Wednesday, October 25, 2006

October 25

REFLECTION FOR TODAY

Hate is a strong, controlling force if carried to the utmost degree. Oftentimes I will say I hate a person when in reality I only dislike what the person does. If I hate with a vengeance, the destructiveness of this emotion can invade every avenue of my daily life. The responses I give others become vindictive. The successes I win are most likely at the expense and mercy of others. The world in which I live becomes a disagreeable place rather than comforting. The spite I feel becomes my sole motive for living. My physical body become susceptible to pain and illnesses, which need not be. My obsession with hate hides my ability to see I am doing harm to myself.

MEDITATION FOR TODAY

Help me to recognize my own destructive behavior caused by the hatred felt toward another human being. Give me courage to differ with others without doing harm to them or to myself. Guide me to become a more forgiving and accepting person.

TODAY I WILL REMEMBER

I choose to replace hatred with love and understanding.

Emotions Anonymous, Order Today

Tuesday, October 24, 2006

October 24

REFLECTION FOR TODAY

Intimacy is being soft together. Many of you have observed the intimacy of a new relationship. It appeared exciting and wonderful. Yet this stage of the relationship ultimately passes. The conflict stage creeps in. Are we willing to deal with this stage, or do we run? Only after we face our conflict head-on can we come to experience the kind of intimacy and caring in a relationship which nurtures us and pushes us to become all we can be.

MEDITATION FOR TODAY

May I have the courage to deal with conflict, realizing that dealing with it will raise my self-esteem.

TODAY I WILL REMEMBER

The more acceptance I have for myself, the more intimacy I will be capable of experiencing.

Emotions Anonymous, Order Today

Monday, October 23, 2006

October 23

REFLECTION FOR TODAY

Too often I let external things distract me when someone is speaking at a meeting. Maybe dirty fingernails, a wrong color of lipstick, or length of hair or beard will affect my concentration. Maybe a person's poor grammar will have me making corrections in my mind instead of listening to the thoughts and feelings being expressed. Often when I really listen I really learn. I know my Higher Power works through people, and if I don't hear people, I won't hear God either. My progress in my recovery depends on learning from other people. I have no right to be critical or judgmental of others.

MEDITATION FOR TODAY

Open my mind to the shared suggestions of others. Remind me that externals are not important.

TODAY I WILL REMEMBER

I am no better or worse than anyone else.

Emotions Anonymous, Order Today

Sunday, October 22, 2006

October 22

REFLECTION FOR TODAY

Given the same set of circumstances, we can do anything anyone else can do: steal, kill, write bad checks, or commit adultery. If we think we are above such behavior, we are naive. How readily can we accept that we are as capable of doing anything anyone else could do? For those of us who have been sheltered, it may take a bit longer to discover just how close we can come to any of these behaviors. We are fortunate, indeed, if we come to a point where we are forced to at least face one of these aspects of our personality. Once we see how capable we are of doing a particular thing we may not have believed possible, we gain a deeper acceptance of our own humanity. Our freedom increases. In turn, we accept others more easily.

MEDITATION FOR TODAY

May I be open to the reality of my own humanness.

TODAY I WILL REMEMBER

Accepting ourselves helps us accept others, too.

Emotions Anonymous, Order Today

Saturday, October 21, 2006

October 21

REFLECTION FOR TODAY

It is not humanly possible to like every person with whom we come in contact. There will always be people who will say or do things with which we will disagree. It is probable that we affect others the same way. No one is exactly like anyone else. The differences make for variety in our life and should be as welcome as the different varieties of flowers in our gardens. All of us, regardless of our race, beliefs, color, or ethnic background, were created by a loving God. It is not necessary to like everyone - only to accept them.

MEDITATION FOR TODAY

Thank You for the differences in people, which truly spices up the adventure of living.

TODAY I WILL REMEMBER

We each take our own special road toward the same spiritual quest.

Emotions Anonymous, Order Today

Friday, October 20, 2006

October 20

REFLECTION FOR TODAY

The slogan, "Know thyself - be honest, " makes me aware of how often I ignore my feelings or try to rationalize them away. If I am to know myself, I must acknowledge my emotions just as they are. It may be I am letting a past experience creep in to distort my reaction to a situation. Or perhaps I am allowing old inferior feelings to cause me pain. I may be holding back feelings related directly to a present situation because it is easier (or so it seems) than having to confront, express, or risk rejection.

MEDITATION FOR TODAY

Help me to work at honestly knowing myself, day by day, minute by minute.

TODAY I WILL REMEMBER

The pain of facing my feelings is far less than the pain of suppressing them.

Emotions Anonymous, Order Today

Thursday, October 19, 2006

October 19

REFLECTION FOR TODAY

My being a doormat came from a need in my emotional illness, a need for recognition and approval from others. In recovery, I began to recognize my own power to determine my self-worth. I no longer use what others will think of me as a guide for how I will act. I look within myself for my standards of behavior and seek the will of my Higher Power in all matters. I am beginning to take responsibility for my own life. Part of this responsibility is making my own choices and accepting the consequences.

MEDITATION FOR TODAY

Grant me the ability to look at my own power to affect other people.

TODAY I WILL REMEMBER

How much do I react to the power I perceive in other people?

Emotions Anonymous, Order Today

Wednesday, October 18, 2006

October 18

REFLECTION FOR TODAY

Something to reach for, something to work toward, a reason to get out of bed in the morning, or a purpose for taking care of myself physically, mentally and emotionally - they all add up to goals. When I was in an emotional upheaval, goals were something which other people had - people with education, looks, money and talent. But certainly not me. I did not realize goals were personal guidelines which I could use to improve the quality of my life. Any part of my life that needs to be changed is an opportunity for goal-setting. Physically I could have a weight loss goal, a quit smoking goal, or a physical fitness goal. Mentally I could have a goal to change an attitude, a goal to broaden my interests and increase my knowledge, or a goal to read a good book every week. Emotionally my goal is for serenity, which can be gained by learning to "live and let live" and to roll with the punches.

MEDITATION FOR TODAY

Help me see a real need for change and to pick a goal and go for it.

TODAY I WILL REMEMBER

The only thing keeping me from my goal is me.

Emotions Anonymous, Order Today

Tuesday, October 17, 2006

October 17

REFLECTION FOR TODAY

Resigning as "Master of the Universe" was a relief and a weight off my shoulders. The world can actually revolve without me. Now I can concentrate on the people around me. Instead of doing all the talking, I can do more listening. Instead of giving orders, I can ask for other people's opinions on how things should be done. Well, God, it is all Yours. Isn't that a simple way to handle a difficult problem? If I can't handle it, God can, if I just ask. A delicious sense of relief, a relaxing effect on the body, and a quietness of mind are just a few of the results which are mine from this simple turning it over.

MEDITATION FOR TODAY

Thank You, God, for always having Your shoulder ready for me to lean on.

TODAY I WILL REMEMBER

God will carry the load.

Emotions Anonymous, Order Today

Monday, October 16, 2006

October 16

REFLECTION FOR TODAY

Because I was so impatient and critical of myself, gaining compassion was not an easy task. Now as I talk kindly to myself instead of critically, I gain more and more compassion for myself. When I am gentle with myself, I feel peace inside, even in the midst of turmoil. When I am gentle with myself, I become more gentle with others. It is this gentleness and caring, not impatience and criticism, which brings about continued growth and healing.

MEDITATION FOR TODAY

When I resist being kind to myself, may I recall that compassion precedes growth.

TODAY I WILL REMEMBER

I no longer need to hate me.

Emotions Anonymous, Order Today

Sunday, October 15, 2006

October 15

REFLECTION FOR TODAY

Someone said at a meeting that anger comes from other people not meeting my expectations. If that is true - and I see it is true for me - then I have two choices: I can either stay angry, or I can lower my expectations. If I choose to stay angry, the only person I hurt is myself. My blood pressure goes up, I get acid indigestion, headaches, and become depressed. Or I can choose to lower my expectations. That is another way of letting go of what I cannot control, of not playing God by thinking that my way is the only right way.

MEDITATION FOR TODAY

I ask You to help me deal with my anger honestly.

TODAY I WILL REMEMBER

Unrealistic expectations for myself or others creates anger.

Emotions Anonymous, Order Today

Saturday, October 14, 2006

October 14

REFLECTION FOR TODAY

I would like to reflect a minute on the changing seasons. I live in a cold climate - cold in winter - and I have decided I want to stay, not retire to the Sunbelt. I certainly do not have anything against warm climates. What the winter does for me is to let things rest for a while including, perhaps, my spirit. I cannot possibly grow all the time. Perhaps if I stop and rest occasionally in the "winter" of my soul and be quiet - which is very hard for me to do - the growth will resume in the "spring" of my soul. And perhaps my growth will be greater and more assured.

MEDITATION FOR TODAY

Because it is difficult for me to rest, to slow down or to meditate, help me to allow myself the freedom to do so.

TODAY I WILL REMEMBER

Progress is not always a high-speed freeway. I need to remember to pull in, shut off the motor, and rest my spirit.

Emotions Anonymous, Order Today

Friday, October 13, 2006

October 13

REFLECTION FOR TODAY

When I am feeling especially lonely, the pain inside makes me wonder why I have to go through this. The longer I am in the program and share my pain, the more I am aware that others hurt also. This common bond helps me to understand, care and grow. Pain is nature's way of telling me I have a need which has to be taken care of, whether it is physical or emotional. I need to take care of myself, and I can do it.

MEDITATION FOR TODAY

Help me to realize my pain is worthwhile, because it draws me closer to You and to others, and it gives me compassion.

TODAY I WILL REMEMBER

Whenever I share my pain, someone comes into my life with a similar pain to remind me I am not alone.

Emotions Anonymous, Order Today

Thursday, October 12, 2006

October 12

REFLECTION FOR TODAY

I am glad to realize that while I cannot will away negative feelings such as fear, anger, or despair, I need not be ruled by them. No matter how overpowering my emotions may be, I can focus on something which will feed my serenity. Although strong feelings may blind this fact, the world is full of goodness and beauty. As surely as I can be upset by another person, place or thing, I can find better experiences to enjoy.

MEDITATION FOR TODAY

May I reflect on everything in my life which brings me happiness or serenity.

TODAY I WILL REMEMBER

Why would I choose to respond to something negative when I can respond to something positive?

Emotions Anonymous, Order Today

Wednesday, October 11, 2006

October 11

REFLECTION FOR TODAY

My outside appearance is a good indication of how I feel inside. When my inside emotional stability is running amok, it is time to start getting the outside in order first. Are my clothes clean? Do they need repairs? Is my hair combed and washed, and does it need cutting or curling? How about a long, hot bath or shower? When was the last time I visited the dentist or had a good physical from my doctor? I need to make certain my emotional difficulties are not aggravated by a physical ailment such as allergies, blood sugar fluctuations, or chemical imbalances. Now that I am refreshed and looking good, I can call some friends for coffee or lunch or I can have people come over to my place for a visit. Doing these things can help to change my attitude.

MEDITATION FOR TODAY

My body houses the soul You gave me. Help me to keep it in good working condition.

TODAY I WILL REMEMBER

Taking care of myself means physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Emotions Anonymous, Order Today

Tuesday, October 10, 2006

October 10

REFLECTION FOR TODAY

I often ask my Higher Power to help me know what is best for me. And often I hear my Higher Power answer and know in my heart it is best, and yet I do nothing. Then I punish myself because I have asked and have received, yet have taken no action. In fact, the knowledge of what is best for me often causes me great anxiety, and my fear overwhelms what I know. I have been given knowledge but not asked for courage as well. Knowledge is a wonderful gift, but I accomplish little if I do not have the courage to act.

MEDITATION FOR TODAY

Higher Power, grant me courage as well as knowledge.

TODAY I WILL REMEMBER

I need all my Higher Power's gifts.

Emotions Anonymous, Order Today

Monday, October 09, 2006

October 9

REFLECTION FOR TODAY

Am I so important I am the only one who can do things for others? I used to believe the world was falling apart because I was becoming incapable of handling everything. My need to be needed was so strong I felt everything depended on me, and me alone. Ego, pride and self-will had me in their grip. I have come to realize that real help comes from allowing others to learn to do for themselves. I am now stepping back and letting others learn from their own mistakes, as we all have to do.

MEDITATION FOR TODAY

Help me to love, but not to take over.

TODAY I WILL REMEMBER

I will allow others to do what they have to do.

Emotions Anonymous, Order Today

Sunday, October 08, 2006

October 8

REFLECTION FOR TODAY

There are many important words involved in our program, but two of the most important are humility and responsibility. Much of my progress can be measured by these two words. They are extremely hard for me to accept and use. Humility bothers me because it goes against the grain of my false pride. Responsibility is tough because it is so much easier to let someone else take care of things. When I am responsible, I take care of my commitments and obligations. Most times that is hard work. When I accept and practice humility and responsibility, I grow rapidly.

MEDITATION FOR TODAY

It is hard to be humble and responsible. Please ease my way.

TODAY I WILL REMEMBER

Humility and responsibility equal maturity and manageability.

Emotions Anonymous, Order Today

Saturday, October 07, 2006

October 7

REFLECTION FOR TODAY

Being afraid of rejection, I did not trust sharing my honest feelings. Trusting seemed so scary; but once I understood the only way to let go of the fear of rejection was by my trusting, I became more willing to take the risk. As I took the risk to share and was accepted, my willingness to risk grew. The more I shared, the more acceptance I received, the more acceptance I received, the more trust I developed.

MEDITATION FOR TODAY

At times, I feel so scared, God. Help me to risk sharing the parts of myself I want to run from the most.

TODAY I WILL REMEMBER

Trust builds from the action of risking.

Emotions Anonymous, Order Today

Friday, October 06, 2006

October 6

REFLECTION FOR TODAY

Pain had been the motivator for me to come into the program. After some time, the pain lessened in intensity and frequency. When I felt good and happy, I thought I did not need the program anymore. These thoughts scared me, so I began to create pain and misery for myself so I would be motivated to work the program. I became frightened of being happy and serene. I am learning that the desire to live a better life is a sufficient motivator. The pain which brought me here can be transformed into the gratitude which keeps me here.

MEDITATION FOR TODAY

May I remember that as I grow in the program, my values and perspectives will change.

TODAY I WILL REMEMBER

Flexibility in my thinking enables me to go with, rather than against, the changers God has in store for me.

Emotions Anonymous, Order Today

Thursday, October 05, 2006

October 5

REFLECTION FOR TODAY

"Live and let Live," reminds me that my first responsibility is to myself. I must take care of myself the way my Higher Power wants me to . When I can accept myself, it becomes easier to accept others. When I allow myself to be myself, I am able to let others be themselves. This creates a lovely balance between others and me. When I take responsibility for myself, I lose my need to control others.

MEDITATION FOR TODAY

You made me the way I am, and my job is to accept me and live with me to the best of my ability.

TODAY I WILL REMEMBER

If I focus on making this day as good as it can be for me, I will not have time to worry about others.

Emotions Anonymous, Order Today

Wednesday, October 04, 2006

October 4

REFLECTION FOR TODAY

Often I look back and say, "I knew better than to do that." I knew before I used the angry word, blamed, shouted, ran away, etc. that what I was doing was wrong. I did it anyway. Now with a daily program and a planned quiet time I can avoid many of these backward looks by realizing when the danger signs appear. I can choose at what time how to handle these situations. I can avoid hurting others through a daily Step Ten. I can rally acknowledge the feelings as mine and choose how to handle them during a quiet time.

MEDITATION FOR TODAY

Let me keep an eye out for danger signs and seek quiet when they arise.

TODAY I WILL REMEMBER

Only in quiet can I hear my inner voice and make a choice.

Emotions Anonymous, Order Today

Tuesday, October 03, 2006

October 3

REFLECTION FOR TODAY

It is part of my emotional illness that I feel a vague but overwhelming sense of something wrong with me. If allowed to control me, this feeling leads to withdrawal, despondency, and a sense of powerlessness. The antidote is self-acceptance. This does not mean that I deny my shortcomings. In a searching and fearless inventory I honestly recognize my defects and my good points. If I set a goal of eliminating all my defects, I am doomed to failure. Only by accepting and using my positive qualities can I develop the strength to reduce the defects.

MEDITATION FOR TODAY

Help me to concentrate on my strengths.

TODAY I WILL REMEMBER

What I am is God's gift to me. What I make of myself is my gift to God.


Emotions Anonymous, Order Today

Monday, October 02, 2006

October 2

REFLECTION FOR TODAY

So many of my negative feelings stem from carrying feelings from the past into today, or from projecting what might go wrong into the future. I do this every time I expect difficulty, failure, or rejection. I am pulling out my past pain and wearing it all over again. I do it, too, when I start thinking during a moment of pleasure, "It won't work out like this again." When I remember to enjoy each moment for the sheer delight and goodness it offers, when I look upon negative experiences as lessons for improving my life, I am cutting my life into manageable proportions.

MEDITATION FOR TODAY

With Your help, may I make the most of each moment.

TODAY I WILL REMEMBER

I will live this day as fully as I can and, at the end of the day, I will let it go.

Emotions Anonymous, Order Today

Sunday, October 01, 2006

October 1

REFLECTION FOR TODAY

I remember being so full of hate for someone that I ran movies in my head about committing violence against them. My hate produced envy, spite, and rage. Now I have learned through the Twelve Steps that I can and must forgive for my own mental health. And if I am unable to forgive, I can pray for my adversary. As long as I allow the hate to dominate my thoughts, that hate is running my life, and there is no opportunity for my Higher Power to enter.

MEDITATION FOR TODAY

May I remember today to pray for those who I find hard to love.

TODAY I WILL REMEMBER

Today I will practice forgiveness.

Emotions Anonymous, Order Today