Snips

Letting go of our need to control can set others and us free. It can set our Higher Power free to send the best to us.If we weren't trying to control someone or something, what would we be doingdifferently? What would we do that we're not letting ourselves do now? Where would we go? What would we say? What decisions would we make? What would we ask for? What boundaries would be set? When would we say no or yes?If we weren't trying to control whether a person liked us or his or her reaction to us, what would we do differently? If we weren't trying to control the course of a relationship, what would we do differently? If we weren't trying to control another person's behavior, how would we think, feel, speak, and behave differently than we do now?What haven't we been letting ourselves do while hoping that self-denial would influence a particular situation or person? Are there some things we've been doing that we'd stop? How would we treat ourselves differently? Would we let ourselves enjoy life more and feel better right now? Would we stop feeling so bad? Would we treat ourselves better?If we weren't trying to control, what would we do differently? Make a list, and then do it.Today, I will ask myself what I would be doing differently if I weren't trying to control. When I hear the answer, I will do it. God, help me let go of my need to control. Help me set others and myself free.
Melody Beattie ©

If we want to enrich our relationships, we need look no further than Jesus to find a pattern to emulate. Jesus put relationships first, honoring every individual. We may say we value our loved ones most, but they're often the first to get short shrift when work or other pressures bear down on us. Putting relationships first means just that. Have you ever found yourself postponing what matters most? The mystery and miracle of having relationships is yours to experience right now.
Mary Manin Morrissey

AA Thought for the Day / In the world about us we saw personalities destroying whole peoples. The struggle for wealth, power, and prestige was tearing humanity apart as never before. If strong people were stalemated in the search for peace and harmony, what was to become of our erratic band of alcoholics? As we had once struggled and prayed for individual recovery, so earnestly did we commence for the principles through which AA itself might survive. On the anvils of experience, the structure of our Society was hammered out. / c. 1952 AAWS, Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, pp. 130-1

Life has its own certain rhythm and pace. When you attempt to outrun it, you miss it. Making life faster does nothing to make it better. Today is plenty and right now is always enough. Tomorrow will come in good time, and there's nothing to be gained by rushing to get to it ahead of time. Instead, live fully the depth and richness of this day, of this moment. Take each opportunity as it comes to enjoy and fulfill the beauty of what is. There is something wondrous and valuable in every direction you look. It makes no sense to put all your energy into jumping ahead of yourself. For life's treasures are all here in this moment right now. Choose to live your life at the pace that it comes to you. And its many treasures will surely be yours.
Ralph Marston

When we take care of ourselves first, then we can give freely and generouslyof ourselves without resentment. With our own needs met throughself-acknowledgment we can lovingly help others. However, the very thoughtof putting ourselves first usually produces major guilt. How dare we?Get over it. Take good care of yourself. Show the world how much you valueyou. Learn to say no. Set healthy boundaries. Protect yourself. Tell thetruth. Be honest with yourself. Live your life with integrity. Take care ofyour emotional, mental and physical well being. Take care of your finances.Acknowledge your feelings. Trust your intuition. Follow your heart. Honoryour creativity.
Susan Ann Darley

Oh, I want the simplest mind to grasp the idea that the very wisdom of God--the love, the life, and the power of God--are ready and waiting with longing impulse to flow out through us in unlimited degree! When it flows in unusual degree through the intellect of a certain person men exclaim, "What a wonderful mind!" When it flows through the hearts of men it is the love that melts all bitterness, envy, selfishness, jealousy, before it; when it flows through their bodies as life, no disease can withstand its onward march.
Emily Cady

"There is no more important step you can take than to define your life's purpose. It develops your sense of belonging to our universe."
Arnold Patent

Oh you who are trying to learn the marvel of Love through the copy book of reason,I'm very much afraid that you will never really see the point.
Hafiz

When the solution is simple, God is answering.
Albert Einstein