With your thoughts you can open your eyes. What you see in front of you is a function of the thoughts you nourish inside of you. Life becomes available to you to the extent that your thoughts allow. And the quality of life that you experience is very closely connected to the quality of your thoughts. ~Ralph Marston
Today I am grateful...
- for television remote controls with mute buttons and buttons to change the channel. I find it hard to believe we have almost eleven more months of political commercials. Then I cannot help but think how much money is being spent on campaigning alone, not to mention how much the war in Iraq/n is costing and killing.
- that today I can take off from work to get some personal things done. I have to pick up a custom picture frame for a gift, go to the tanning bed (it just gives me a little color and helps with my psoriasis), brave a line at the post office to buy stamps for my gallery opening mailers (600+), get back to my noon meeting schedule and see all my friends, possibly have fellowship afterwards, hit the grocery store, and some other stuff which I cannot remember at this moment because my list is in the car.
- that I will have not supported the economy this Christmas season--well, a little. I am spending less than $50 for gifts. The reason is two-fold; retail in this country has totally gotten out of hand and I have not worked much lately.
- that I seem to be long winded this morning, at least I have coffee in front of me and am sitting down in a warm house, Bunny fed and let out and is now back under the covers, food in the fridge, a little money in the bank and a wealth of friends and loved ones.
- that yesterday during my first meeting with a new client at their new home (a home that is wonderfully stunning in design and magnificent in size) I was walking through the vast upstairs and realized I could appreciate the house but have absolutely no jealousy that they have more than I. Because I have what I want and want what I have--simple, small life.
Having suffered from alcoholism, I should understand the illness, but sometimes I feel annoyance, even contempt, toward a person who cannot make it in A.A. When I feel that way, I am satisfying my false sense of superiority and I must remember, but for the grace of God, there go I. ~Daily Reflections
7 comments:
Good stuff Scott.
Our 6:30 meeting this morning used that Daily Reflection writing as a topic. It was a wonderful meeting.
Yes, good post, not long winded at all.
I love the phrase, "but for the Grace of God go I", to me it means but for God's undeserved Mercy do I go on this journey. I am no more or less or than anyone around me. I must remember to have compassion to my fellow man, for I don't know what they are going through at this moment.
Love,
Kimberly
Last night at a meeting a fellow spoke about how his outlook on daily life had changed. As an example, he brought groceries home and couldn't fit them all in his cabinets. Prior to his spiritual awakening, he would have cussed & fussed about leaving things on his counter, but he felt humbled and grateful that he had so much food in his kitchen when others have empty cabinets.
Being grateful for the small things I used to overlook or find inconvenient is a beautiful feeling.
vast upstairs = vast amount of cleaning.
I bought only for my family this year and I am fine with that. I did not over do it with them, gave things that were needed.
I'm happy with what I have also :)
Thinking of you darlin'.
i take particular notice to your explanation of WHY you are tanning. i do that b/c i have a habit of needing to explain why i am doing something that is good for me. this may not be true for you, i would never "assume" that. it is a reminder for me to stay on the path i am on.
When I feel that way, I am satisfying my false sense of superiority and I must remember, but for the grace of God, there go I...Thank you, thank you, thank you for the reminder to be humble and compassionate.
I am spending less than half of what I normally do - and some of it is going to be cash in envelopes. I have not had time to shop. And I don't like to anyway.
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