2013 Daily Encouragement Thread

[FallenAngel]

2013 Daily Encouragement Thread

Encouragement for today, Janurary 25th

From the book "The Book of Awakening" by Mark Nepo:




Even in the Dark

To be broken is no reason
to see all things as broken.

Seldom seen, growing along the ocean floor, the white plumed anemone is a watery blossom. It is a white lace opening under tons of black, opening as if bathed in the sun, while so far from the sun.
This is the trick to staying well, isn't it: to feel the sun even in the dark. To not lose the truth of things when they go out of view. To grow just the same. To know there is still water, even when we are thirsty. To know there is still love, even when we are lonely. To know there is peace, even when we are suffering.
None of this invalidates our pain, but only strengthens our way back into the light.

[FallenAngel]

2013 Daily Encouragement Thread

holding down the fort while Slay takes a break

January 26th





Always something


Do what you can do, with what you have, every chance you get. Moving just one step forward will give you a positive foothold upon which to build.

Often it is easy to choose to see yourself and treat yourself as a victim. Yet by making such a choice, you quickly surrender control over your own life.

Instead of giving up and becoming a victim, know that there is always something positive you can do. There is always some action with which you can move yourself forward.

Life’s greatest triumphs often have their origins in times of great difficulty. In each challenge there is fertile ground for building great value.

Do you feel overwhelmed by your circumstances? The best way to get away from that feeling is to step forward and do something positive and productive.

With every positive action, your power increases. Step by step, moment by moment, move your life exactly where you choose to go.

— Ralph Marston

[rednose]

2013 Daily Encouragement Thread

FallenAngel;1450921 wrote: January 26th





Always something


Do what you can do, with what you have, every chance you get. Moving just one step forward will give you a positive foothold upon which to build.

Often it is easy to choose to see yourself and treat yourself as a victim. Yet by making such a choice, you quickly surrender control over your own life.

Instead of giving up and becoming a victim, know that there is always something positive you can do. There is always some action with which you can move yourself forward.

Life?s greatest triumphs often have their origins in times of great difficulty. In each challenge there is fertile ground for building great value.

Do you feel overwhelmed by your circumstances? The best way to get away from that feeling is to step forward and do something positive and productive.

With every positive action, your power increases. Step by step, moment by moment, move your life exactly where you choose to go.

? Ralph Marston

Thanks for this. this is just what I needed to hear.....

rednose

[Slaythefear]

2013 Daily Encouragement Thread

Awesome posts, Fallen Angel.

You are feeding me!:l:h

I started this thread because when I would posts my daily encouragement on the NN, plenty of people found them helpful. I decided it would be better as a free standing thread for all. I hope that anyone who feels something is worthwhile and helpful will post it here. I've had my strong time periods, but I have a whole lot on my plate to deal with right now. Maybe some others can donate some inspiration as well.

YOURS are wonderful, FA. Thank you, love. Your spirit is beautiful in everything you post.

Love,

Slay

P.S. - Thanks Juja. I'll be alright in a while. We can't go through life without some challenges and sometimes our healing can be difficult. When you aren't using AL to escape, you have to face some issues that you once were trying to hide from. Emotionally, this is difficult for me right now. I have an angel reaching out to me, though.

[FallenAngel]

2013 Daily Encouragement Thread

***rednose~ I'm so glad to hear that the post yesterday was something you needed. It's quite a profound feeling when something speaks to our inner truth.
Hope you're having a good weekend.

***Slay~ thank you. You have a beautiful spirit my friend... I pray that you find comfort & clarity in this difficult time. I will be there for you whenever you need me. That's a promise. :l

***Anyone else want to tag in with me & post some positive affirmations while Slay takes a well needed break??


January 27th


Good can come from it

Positive possibilities are everywhere, even in things that are not so positive. Whatever may happen, whatever may be, there is good that can come from it.

Weakness is an opportunity to become stronger. Ignorance is an opportunity to learn.

Each challenge can push you to improve your effectiveness. Every mistake gives you a powerful, compelling example of what not to do.

When disagreements are expressed and articulated, there is ample raw material for greater understanding. When problems reach the point of crisis, everyone becomes highly motivated to find a way to solve them.

Don?t let yourself be discouraged by the shortcomings and disappointments that come your way. Instead, quickly look for the positive opportunities in them.

Always remember that no matter what the situation may be, there is good that can come from it. And you can be the person who brings that goodness to life.

? Ralph Marston

[Slaythefear]

2013 Daily Encouragement Thread

Deeply touching, FA!:l

[FallenAngel]

2013 Daily Encouragement Thread

Love the new avatar Slay! :l

January 28th



Within you


Within you there is peace. Know it, feel it, love it and let it grow.

Throughout you, there is love of life?s beauty and goodness. Keep that love at the front of your awareness, letting it guide your thoughts, perceptions and choices.

Around you, there are possibilities. Life changes with every moment, so pick the possibilities that will enable those changes to uplift your world.

At the heart of you, is a unique and beautiful purpose. In your feelings, your interests, your preferences and passions, that purpose makes itself known, so you can follow it.

Surrounding you, is a universe overflowing with magnificent beauty. Let yourself be positively, joyfully and thankfully amazed at the endless wonder and possibilities.

Flowing through you, is the energy to live, to love, to make a difference and to experience unique fulfillment. Make good and purposeful use of that energy, and make this the most vibrantly rewarding day yet.

? Ralph Marston

[Slaythefear]

2013 Daily Encouragement Thread

Another beautiful one, FA. For Christmas I was going to put together an inspirational book for my daughter, but was talked out of it by well you know the badboy as being something silly. Anyway, I really wish I had now. You have that spirit and depth that I can feel in my spirit. I wanted to connect to hers more with that personal gift. Maybe for her BD. We need to listen to our own spirit and not that of others who don't understand it and crush it.

Love ya,

Slay:l

[Slaythefear]

2013 Daily Encouragement Thread

January 28, 2013...

Take a day and inspire others.

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[Slaythefear]

2013 Daily Encouragement Thread

January 29, 2013...Don't be a dry drunk.

Unfortunately when many former drinkers go through the grieving process over the loss of their old friend, the bottle, some never get past the anger stage.

It is a very real loss. The drink has been their friend for many years and one they could count on. When the whole world turned against them, the bottle never let them down. It was always there ready for the good times, the celebrations, the parties, as well as the sad, mad, and lonely times, too.

Finally their old friend let them down... they got in trouble with the law, lost a job or career, almost lost their family, or the doctors told them they had to stop drinking... whatever the reason, the circumstances of their life brought them to the point where they made a decision to say "so long" to the bottle.

Whether they realized it or not, they began the stages of grieving -- denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance -- the same stages most people go through when they have a great loss in their lives or have been told they have a terminal illness.

First comes the denial -- it's really not that big a deal, I've always said I could quit anytime -- and then the anger and depression when they realize just how much that had come to depend on their old friend alcohol.

Many make it through the process to the final stage -- accepting the loss, learning and growing through the experience, and moving on.



There is a theory that in order to fully recover from the effects of alcoholism, the alcoholic must replace the obsessive behaviors in his life with their spiritual opposites. (I'd object to this being theory.)

Develop a hobby. Take up gardening, start or expand a collection, build something, go fishing, or learn how to develop your own web pages! Try to find some activity to fill those leisure hours that you used to spend drinking.

Get healthy. All those years of drinking probably took some toll on your physical health. Join the YMCA, take up an exercise program or jogging, or play a sport. Get on some kind of regular (daily) improvement routine.

Improve your mind. It's never too late to learn new things. Get a library card, take a continuing education class, improve your job skills, or surf the 'Net.

Spend time with your family. Maybe you can't replace all those times that you neglected your wife and children while you were in the barrooms, but you can make a new start. Take your wife out to her favorite place, take the kids or grandchildren to the park, or start a project in which the entire family can participate.

Life doesn't have to be a miserable experience just because you quit drinking. There's a whole world out there for you to explore and learn about.

[FallenAngel]

2013 Daily Encouragement Thread

Slay~
It's so wonderful to see you back & posting on this thread!:l
(and not a moment too soon... I emptied the room pretty good) :H

[Slaythefear]

2013 Daily Encouragement Thread

Thanks, FA. I'll still need help. I really would like this thread to be a mix of different people taking a day when they see it hasn't been posted to yet. It gives different perspectives for all. Your posts have been WONDERFUL! I'm not sure if this thread is even helping much as no one wanted to post any encouragement.

A bit more positive this morning, but I still have a lot going on inside. I'll take it ODAT, but NO AL!!!

:l:h

[FallenAngel]

2013 Daily Encouragement Thread

You're sounding better every day! I'm so proud of you Slay... I know that you CAN do this!
You've got lots of great support here at MWO... stay close & stay involved, that will help you stay accountable.
Btw... if you ever need a thread killer... I'm your gal! :H:H:H

[Slaythefear]

2013 Daily Encouragement Thread

January 30, 2013

"It is in the midst of difficulties that man develops his intelligence because, in order to overcome them, he must observe, think and become clear-sighted. Nature has put difficulties here and there in life to develop her children's intelligence, but the children do not develop: they waste their time and energy crying, complaining, getting angry and upset, instead of trying to understand and look for solutions. Obviously when they are exhausted they calm down, but the difficulties are still there; their energies are gone but their problems remain. What a weird method! I ask someone, 'How long did you cry? - three hours. - Did you solve the problem? - No. - Well, next time, cry just ten minutes. As you would miss not crying, do it, but no more than ten minutes; and once the ten minutes is over, start thinking!'"

Omraam Mikha?l A?vanhov

[FallenAngel]

2013 Daily Encouragement Thread

another contribution to get us over hump day


In Search Of Wednesday



?Yes, sir, may I help you??
?Uh, yes, yes you can. I?d like to buy a day.?
?I see. What type of day did you have in mind??
?Well, I really don?t know. What do you carry??
?Well, sir, we have the basic seven days: Sunday through Saturday. Then we also have your weekend gift set. That includes Saturday and Sunday. Over here we have what we call our ?Deluxe Day Gift Set,? which consists of a Friday evening starting at six p.m. and continuing on until twelve a.m. Sunday.?
?That looks nice. But I wonder what you might have in the line of holidays??
?I?m glad you asked. Step right this way. Over on this counter we have a complete and up-to-the-minute selection of novelty days. They include all your regular holidays, and some others: Woman?s Day, Baby?s Day, Crying Day, and Anticipation Day. That?s going to be a big seller this year.?
?Well, I think I?ll take one of your basic seven days; how about Tuesday??
?A good choice, sir. We just received a new shipment of Tuesdays yesterday. Tuesdays have been very popular.?
?Oh, well, in that case?something more obscure. How about Wednesday??
?Fine, sir. Will that be cash or charge??
?Cash.?
?Fine, sir. Did you want that gift-wrapped??
?Oh no, don?t bother. A bag will be fine.?
?That?ll be three weeks of hope and four days of despair.?
?Are these on sale or something??
?Oh no. That?s our regular price. Are uh, you from around here??
?No, I?m just passing through. I?m on my way to Tranquility, but stopped to pick up a few things first.?
?Oh, I see. We don?t get many people passing though these parts.?
?It?s a nice little place. What did you say the name of it was??
?Inner Peace.?


Outside the store, the Man stepped into his Insearchov and was on his way. With one hand on the Destiny wheel, the other propped on the window ledge to support his Thought, the Man was off.
It was a warm day, and the sun?s rays danced and sparkled on the Insearchov?s shieldnothing. The Man leaned back in Contentment.
About three miles up the road, the Man took a left at Forgetyourtroubles Road. Down this rocky, unpaved road was a clearing?a beautiful green-grassed knoll hugging a silver stream. This was it. The Man?s spot for the day. Away from everyone and everything. The perfect spot to be Alone with his Day.
The Man took Wednesday, got out of his Insearchov, and stretched out on the cool grass. He looked up at the sky and saw it was cloudless.
Taking Wednesday out of its box, the Man groaned.
?No wonder it was so inexpensive. I have to put it together myself. Now how am I going to put this Day together right??
Muttering under his breath, the Man laid out all the pieces and unfolded the instructions. He read aloud:
?You have purchased a product whose quality cannot be excelled. Using the following directions as a guide in assembling, your Day will be sturdy, rugged and long lasting; guaranteed, or your hope and despair back.?
?Sounds easy enough,? the Man said.
?Now, let?s see here: starting with Part (B)eginnings, connect Part (C)hildhood on the bottom right-hand slot. Part (D)ecisions should now fit next to it. IMPORTANT: Make sure Part (D) is firmly attached early in assembly. This is a basic part on which many others depend.
After securing Part (D), Parts (E)mptiness, (F)rustrations and (H)urt can now be attached. This completes Part I, the basic structure.
?Part II uses Parts (K)nowledge, (L)earning and (M)aturity, which fit into corresponding holes.?
?The third phase of your Day uses Parts (O)ppression, (P)atience and (S)orrow. Simply place the piece in the slot with the corresponding letter.
The Man followed the instructions, and soon his Day was underway. Everything was fitting in smoothly, which surprises the Man a great deal.
He continued reading: ?The next-to-last stage uses only three of the four remaining pieces: (T)rust, (U)nderstanding and (W)isdom. Attach these in the same manner as above.?
?As you will see, the structure is complete, save for Part (A)nswers. This final piece fits snugly over the entire structure, thus completing the assembly of your Day.?
But there was no Part (A). The Man scanned the Land, looking for the missing part, but it was nowhere to be found. (A)nswers was missing. The only thing to do was to turn around and head back to the store. He?d explain to the storekeeper that after having made his purchase, he found that it had a part missing. The storekeeper would either have to give the Man his Hope and Despair back, or give him the missing part. The Man was sure, however, that a little store like that would not have Answers in stock. So probably the Man would just settle for a new Day?one with Answers.

~Author Unknown