July 22

”You may not control all of the events that happen to you but you can decide not to be reduced buy them.” Maya Angelou

I recently re-watched the movie Forrest Gump, having not seen it in a number of years. If there is a lesson to be learned from that movie, it is to never settle for what anyone else thinks you are capable of. The main character of Forrest, while shown as someone mentally challenged, has a complete disregard for the boundaries and limitations that others want to impose upon him. Instead, he follows his instincts, naïve as they may be at times, but accomplishes great things without seeking to do so. Life may not be quite that Hollywood-esque for most of us, but there is a good point here. In allowing others, or even myself, to put limitations, to listen to worries and fears, I reduce the chances I have to do great things. I believe that my Higher Power has given me the tools to do limitless thing, but I need to act upon that faith and not fall prey to my doubts. There is opportunity in every situation. I never used to think that way, but was more in the company of accepting my lot in life, whatever happened was meant to happen. My outlook has changed as I have seen what I, and many others, have been able to achieve after having been through very dark and low places. I have seen how my weaknesses have been turned into my greatest assets. I choose to see life as endless possibilities rather than a predetermined fate. I choose to participate in life, regardless of what happens around me.

Affirmation

Every situation is an opportunity and I will look for them today, rather than resigning myself to fate.

March 2

”Every winner has scars.” Robert N. C. Nix

Life events leave their traces on us. Some are good side effects that nourish and encourage us. Others are cuts, bruises, or worse that can diminish and hurt us. Some leave only superficial marks that wash away with a little bit of time. Others run deep and engrain themselves into a core part of our person. I can look at any or all of these and rationalize them to motivate me to be a better person, or on the contrary, to let them hold me prisoner, a victim of coincidence or fate. Life is what I am here to experience. If I want to live a fulfilling life, then I have to accept that it is a full contact sport. To be fully engaged means that I risk getting hurt along the way. I think those risks are worth taking. My time here is limited, and I want to experience as much of life as I can. I would like to have more good experiences than bad, but most of that is not there for me to decide. So I will look forward to all that fate has to offer as an opportunity, and leap at the chance to live 110%.

Affirmation In risking to live, I risk getting hurt. But not risking anything, is only existing. I choose life.

August 30

”If someone is in your life, it is because they have a gift for you, and you have a gift for them.” Robert Holden, Ph.D.

I do believe, as I have always believed, that everything happens for a reason. I may have formerly attributed this to fate, or the will of the universe, but today I believe it to be the will of the God of my understanding. Regardless of what I believe, I do know that the people who are in my life are there because I have something to learn from them, and hopefully something I can share in return. I believe this to be true not only of those people who I would say have a more positive effect in my life, but equally true of the detractors. In some ways I think those that I would rather see in a negative light often have a lot more to offer to me, more that I am expected to experience and grow from while they are part of my life. I am realizing that often, if not always, the people that I seem to struggle having in my life are that way because it reflects my own defaults of character. My life is influenced by everyone around me. In turn, I too influence the lives of those who touch my own. In the past I didn’t recognize this relationship, and frankly would not likely even have cared if I had. Today, however, I am aware and that gives me a certain responsibility to try and be a positive influence in the lives of others. And to be aware when I am someone else’s detractor and work at changing that.

Affirmation We are all connected, each a player in the lives of those around us. As a child of my Higher Power, I will strive to treat all my siblings well.

July 20

”The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

Destiny, fate, karma – these are still some concepts that I have difficulty in looking at. Was I destined to become an addict, was it fate that predetermined my path to get here? I used to question myself like this frequently in my early recovery. As I have grown in the program and rekindled my connection to my Higher Power, I have been less concerned about these ideas. I am happy turning my life and will over to the care of the God of my understanding. I trust that the path he has laid before me is a good one. And I guess if you want to look at it that way, it is a destiny of a sort. The difference in this new way of living is that I am no longer trying to bend the universe to my own will. I no longer strive to have things my way, when and how I want them to be. I am no longer so conceited to see myself as the centre of it all. Instead I am seeking to share my talents, my hope, strength and experience with others. I would rather serve others. I can still lead by example by do not demand to be followed. I seek forgiveness and compassion. I am striving to become the person my Higher Power had in mind, do to His will and to help others along the way. And that is indeed a noble pursuit.

Affirmation I will ask for guidance today to see the path my Higher Power has lain before me and for the courage and strength to do his Will.

October 15

”Remember there’s no such thing as a small act of kindness.  Every act creates a ripple with no logical end.” Scott Adams

It’s been quite a long time that I have not believed in coincidence. Too many things have happened in my own life and those of the people around me to ignore the influence or something or someone else. I have always believed in God, in some way or another, and it was He who was readily available as my Higher Power when I found SAA. The fact that I think everything happens for a reason is also a founding argument for my belief in karma. That what we do, what we give of ourselves, how we treat others, all this eventually comes back to us. Acts of kindness clearly fit into this topic. Being kind means thinking of others, putting someone else’s needs before my own and giving service. The program talks at length about giving back, of being in service to others, and I think at the most basic level it starts with simple, kind acts. Being kind, compassionate and caring is all a part of living in harmony with others. Life is more pleasant and enjoyable when I am not in conflict. And I am truly beginning to see that it takes two people to create conflict, if I do not react then I can remain at peace no matter what others around me do.

Affirmation My smallest acts today may be my biggest reward. I will remember everyone around me has problems of their own and will treat them gently and kindly.

April 25

”A series of failures may culminate in the best possible result.” Gisela Richter

I firmly believe that everything happens for a reason. In my daily life, I am beginning to be more open to accepting failures as learning experiences, as stepping stones in helping me understand a particular lesson. Perseverance and the willingness to keep trying are positive traits that help me to cope with everyday occurrences. I can look back at specific examples where a string of failures and mistakes eventually led to the right course of action. Most of the time I am more appreciative of the end result if there has been difficulty reaching the goal. And, more often than not, there are a number of ancillary things that I have discovered along the way. Life is all about the journey and not the destination. I can be grateful for the path that life takes me on more than the landmarks that I reach along the way. My growth comes more from adversity than from things merely happening as I expect, and the reward is usually sweeter.

Affirmation My failures help define and test my character and resolve. I will continue to try, push forward, and know that I will eventually succeed.