Every Day is a Blessing - SoberRecovery : Alcoholism Drug Addiction Help and Information

Debbie · 07-19-2003, 12:05 PM

Well I received a book today and its called "Every Day is a Blessing" by Aaron Zerah

It is "365 illuminations to lift the spirit."

So perhaps I will try to post a few of these throughout the week after I post my Al-Anon readings.

I hope you will enjoy them.

July 19

<center>Grant me the ability to be alone;
may it be my way every day to go outdoors
among the trees and grasses,
among all growing things,
and there may I be alone,
to talk with the one
that I belong to.

-- Prayer of Rabbi Nachman of Bratzlav</center>

2stop · 07-19-2003, 10:30 PM

I really enjoyed reading this, thanks for another great post.

Debbie · 07-20-2003, 05:35 AM

{{{{2stop}}}}}

Any time

Here is today's

July 20

<center>In a small hut, Hakuin lived a quiet life devoted to monastic purity. When the young unmarried daughter of the village grocer became pregnant, she named Hakuin as the father. Her outraged parents went to Hakuin and charged him with the deed. Hakuin simply said, "Is that so?"

When the child was born, once again the parents came to Hakuin. They handed him the baby and demanded he take responsibility for raising it. Hakuin said, "Is that so? and took the baby in his arms. Dutifully, he began to look after the infant.

A year later, the young woman could bear it no longer. She confessed that the real father was a young man who worked in the nearby fishmarket. The parents went to Hakuin once more, this time making deep apologies, and asked him to return the child. Hakuin said only, "Is that so?" and gave the baby back to them.

--Traditional Zen Buddhist Story</center>

Debbie · 07-21-2003, 03:48 AM

July 21

A troubled mother took her daughter to see Mahatma Gandhi, who was world-renowned for his great spiritual discipline. It seems the young girl had become addicted to eating sweets, and her mother wanted Gandhi to speak to her about this harmful habit and convince her to drop it. Upon hearing the request, Gandhi paused in silence and then told the mother, "Bring the girl back to me in three weeks and I will speak to her then.

Just as she was instructed, the mother returned with her daughter, and Gandhi, as he had promised, spoke to the girl about the detrimental effects of eating too many sweets. He counseled her to give them up.

The mother gratefully thanked Gandhi, but was perplexed. "Why," she asked him, "did you not speak to my daughter when first we came to you?

"My good woman," Gandhi replied, "three weeks ago I myself was still addicted to sweets!"

--Story of Gandhi

2stop · 07-21-2003, 01:10 PM

I love reading stories like those!!

Debbie · 07-22-2003, 12:30 AM

July 22

Generosity is not in giving me that which I need
more than you do, but it is in giving me that which
you need more than I do.

--Kahlil Gibran

Debbie · 07-23-2003, 04:06 AM

July 23

The little that one produces oneself with a broken hoe is better than the plenty that another gives you.

--West African Proverb

2stop · 07-23-2003, 07:29 AM

Those were really thought provoking!

Debbie · 07-23-2003, 11:36 PM

July 24

Fear less, hope more; eat less, chew more; whine
less, breathe more; talk less, say more; hate less,
love more; and all good things are yours.

--Swedish Proverb

2stop · 07-24-2003, 09:35 AM

I need to memorize that Swedish proverb and bring it to mind during the day!!

claudia5 · 07-24-2003, 10:48 AM

i really like these too! thank you for posting them!

Debbie · 07-25-2003, 03:51 AM

July 25

The stick that is at your friend's house
will not drive away the leopard.

--Central African Proverb

bubblze30 · 07-25-2003, 07:11 AM

Thank you so much for these words. I get my hazeldon thoughts for the day but for some reason I did not get it today(via e-mail). But I do believe you get what you need that is true for I found you...and for that I thank you.

Debbie · 07-26-2003, 06:30 AM

July 26

Chuang-tzu had a dream, and when he woke up this what he said: "I Chuang-tzu, dreamed that I was a butterfly, flying here and there. I thought only of things a butterlfy takes a fancy to and thought about none of the things a man like myself does. Suddenly I woke up. There I was, Chuang-tzu, the man, once more. Now I do not know if I am a man dreaming I was a butterfly or if I am a butterfly dreaming I am a man!"

--Traditional Taoist Story

Debbie · 07-27-2003, 05:57 AM

The clouds above us come together and disperse;
The breeze in the courtyard departs and returns.
Life is like that, so why not relax?
Who can keep us from celebrating?

~~ Lu-Yu

2stop · 07-27-2003, 08:11 AM

Oh I really like that one!!!

Debbie · 07-28-2003, 03:49 AM

July 28

As the bee takes the essence of the flower and
flies without destroying its beauty and perfume,
so wander in this life.

~~ Buddha

Debbie · 07-29-2003, 04:28 AM

July 29

The body is the soulâ€™s house. Shouldnâ€™t we therefore
take care of our house so that it doesnâ€™t fall into ruin?

~~ Philo Judaeus

Debbie · 07-30-2003, 03:49 AM

July 30

When you make the two one, and when you make
the inner as the outer and the outer as the inner
and the above as the below, and when you make
the male the female into a single oneâ€”then shall
you enter the Kingdom.

~~ Jesus

Debbie · 07-31-2003, 02:55 AM

July 31

The origin of all trouble
Within this world
Is a single word
Spoken in haste.

~~ from the Moritake Arakida
(Classical Shinto Text)

SkyIsFalling42 · 07-31-2003, 07:43 AM

I like this one Deb..thankyou

Debbie · 02-11-2005, 04:10 AM

I have to tell you all the coolest thing. I received a PM from the author of this book!! He was so happy to hear all of your wonderful comments about his inspirational passages.

I probably should have asked his permission the first time to post them and I am so happy that he is happy and not annoyed with me. So I did ask his permission this time and hopefully soon I can continue to post some of his inspirational daily messages.

I can't believe I received a PM from an author.......that is just too awesome

**Ann** · 02-11-2005, 05:13 AM

These are beautiful, Debbie. Thank you for starting my day with something uplifting. The PM is very nice.

Hugs
Ann

Debbie · 02-14-2005, 04:06 AM

Hi Ann

I was going to post some more but I seem to have misplaced my book. I know its around some where.

Hugs,
Debbie

**Ann** · 02-14-2005, 05:41 AM

Happy Valentines Day, Debbie.

Hugs and love
Ann

07-19-2003, 12:05 PM	#1 (permalink)
Debbie I used to work here ;) Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: I live in Trevose, PA & collect Barbies :) Posts: 2,016	Every Day is a Blessing Well I received a book today and its called "Every Day is a Blessing" by Aaron Zerah It is "365 illuminations to lift the spirit." So perhaps I will try to post a few of these throughout the week after I post my Al-Anon readings. I hope you will enjoy them. July 19 <center>Grant me the ability to be alone; may it be my way every day to go outdoors among the trees and grasses, among all growing things, and there may I be alone, to talk with the one that I belong to. -- Prayer of Rabbi Nachman of Bratzlav</center>

07-19-2003, 10:30 PM	#2 (permalink)
2stop ~Author of My Life~ Join Date: May 2003 Location: Doing what I thought I couldn't.... Posts: 4,794	I really enjoyed reading this, thanks for another great post. __________________ Many Hugs and Hope too, Tammie "Think of all the beauty still left around you and BE HAPPY." ~Anne Frank~ "Things do not change, WE change." ~Henry David Thoreau~

07-21-2003, 01:10 PM	#5 (permalink)
2stop ~Author of My Life~ Join Date: May 2003 Location: Doing what I thought I couldn't.... Posts: 4,794	I love reading stories like those!! __________________ Many Hugs and Hope too, Tammie "Think of all the beauty still left around you and BE HAPPY." ~Anne Frank~ "Things do not change, WE change." ~Henry David Thoreau~

07-23-2003, 07:29 AM	#8 (permalink)
2stop ~Author of My Life~ Join Date: May 2003 Location: Doing what I thought I couldn't.... Posts: 4,794	Those were really thought provoking! __________________ Many Hugs and Hope too, Tammie "Think of all the beauty still left around you and BE HAPPY." ~Anne Frank~ "Things do not change, WE change." ~Henry David Thoreau~

07-24-2003, 09:35 AM	#10 (permalink)
2stop ~Author of My Life~ Join Date: May 2003 Location: Doing what I thought I couldn't.... Posts: 4,794	I need to memorize that Swedish proverb and bring it to mind during the day!! __________________ Many Hugs and Hope too, Tammie "Think of all the beauty still left around you and BE HAPPY." ~Anne Frank~ "Things do not change, WE change." ~Henry David Thoreau~

07-20-2003, 05:35 AM	#3 (permalink)
Debbie I used to work here ;) Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: I live in Trevose, PA & collect Barbies :) Posts: 2,016	{{{{2stop}}}}} Any time Here is today's July 20 <center>In a small hut, Hakuin lived a quiet life devoted to monastic purity. When the young unmarried daughter of the village grocer became pregnant, she named Hakuin as the father. Her outraged parents went to Hakuin and charged him with the deed. Hakuin simply said, "Is that so?" When the child was born, once again the parents came to Hakuin. They handed him the baby and demanded he take responsibility for raising it. Hakuin said, "Is that so? and took the baby in his arms. Dutifully, he began to look after the infant. A year later, the young woman could bear it no longer. She confessed that the real father was a young man who worked in the nearby fishmarket. The parents went to Hakuin once more, this time making deep apologies, and asked him to return the child. Hakuin said only, "Is that so?" and gave the baby back to them. --Traditional Zen Buddhist Story</center>

07-21-2003, 03:48 AM	#4 (permalink)
Debbie I used to work here ;) Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: I live in Trevose, PA & collect Barbies :) Posts: 2,016	July 21 A troubled mother took her daughter to see Mahatma Gandhi, who was world-renowned for his great spiritual discipline. It seems the young girl had become addicted to eating sweets, and her mother wanted Gandhi to speak to her about this harmful habit and convince her to drop it. Upon hearing the request, Gandhi paused in silence and then told the mother, "Bring the girl back to me in three weeks and I will speak to her then. Just as she was instructed, the mother returned with her daughter, and Gandhi, as he had promised, spoke to the girl about the detrimental effects of eating too many sweets. He counseled her to give them up. The mother gratefully thanked Gandhi, but was perplexed. "Why," she asked him, "did you not speak to my daughter when first we came to you? "My good woman," Gandhi replied, "three weeks ago I myself was still addicted to sweets!" --Story of Gandhi

07-22-2003, 12:30 AM	#6 (permalink)
Debbie I used to work here ;) Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: I live in Trevose, PA & collect Barbies :) Posts: 2,016	July 22 Generosity is not in giving me that which I need more than you do, but it is in giving me that which you need more than I do. --Kahlil Gibran

07-23-2003, 04:06 AM	#7 (permalink)
Debbie I used to work here ;) Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: I live in Trevose, PA & collect Barbies :) Posts: 2,016	July 23 The little that one produces oneself with a broken hoe is better than the plenty that another gives you. --West African Proverb

07-23-2003, 11:36 PM	#9 (permalink)
Debbie I used to work here ;) Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: I live in Trevose, PA & collect Barbies :) Posts: 2,016	July 24 Fear less, hope more; eat less, chew more; whine less, breathe more; talk less, say more; hate less, love more; and all good things are yours. --Swedish Proverb

07-24-2003, 10:48 AM	#11 (permalink)
claudia5 Paused Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: TX Posts: 6	i really like these too! thank you for posting them!

07-25-2003, 03:51 AM	#12 (permalink)
Debbie I used to work here ;) Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: I live in Trevose, PA & collect Barbies :) Posts: 2,016	July 25 The stick that is at your friend's house will not drive away the leopard. --Central African Proverb

07-25-2003, 07:11 AM	#13 (permalink)
bubblze30 Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: mass Posts: 1,355	Thank you so much for these words. I get my hazeldon thoughts for the day but for some reason I did not get it today(via e-mail). But I do believe you get what you need that is true for I found you...and for that I thank you. __________________ "What don't kill us. Will make us stronger"

07-26-2003, 06:30 AM	#14 (permalink)
Debbie I used to work here ;) Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: I live in Trevose, PA & collect Barbies :) Posts: 2,016	July 26 Chuang-tzu had a dream, and when he woke up this what he said: "I Chuang-tzu, dreamed that I was a butterfly, flying here and there. I thought only of things a butterlfy takes a fancy to and thought about none of the things a man like myself does. Suddenly I woke up. There I was, Chuang-tzu, the man, once more. Now I do not know if I am a man dreaming I was a butterfly or if I am a butterfly dreaming I am a man!" --Traditional Taoist Story

07-27-2003, 05:57 AM	#15 (permalink)
Debbie I used to work here ;) Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: I live in Trevose, PA & collect Barbies :) Posts: 2,016	The clouds above us come together and disperse; The breeze in the courtyard departs and returns. Life is like that, so why not relax? Who can keep us from celebrating? ~~ Lu-Yu

07-31-2003, 07:43 AM	#21 (permalink)
SkyIsFalling42 Big kitty nose hugs Join Date: May 2003 Location: Center of The World Posts: 1,261	I like this one Deb..thankyou __________________ Love In Spirit, Sky Where my heart is....... http://Writing.Com/authors/skyisfalling02 "Never Give In, Never Give In, Never Give In, Never, Never, Never." ~~Sir Winston Churchill~~

07-27-2003, 08:11 AM	#16 (permalink)
2stop ~Author of My Life~ Join Date: May 2003 Location: Doing what I thought I couldn't.... Posts: 4,794	Oh I really like that one!!! __________________ Many Hugs and Hope too, Tammie "Think of all the beauty still left around you and BE HAPPY." ~Anne Frank~ "Things do not change, WE change." ~Henry David Thoreau~

07-28-2003, 03:49 AM	#17 (permalink)
Debbie I used to work here ;) Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: I live in Trevose, PA & collect Barbies :) Posts: 2,016	July 28 As the bee takes the essence of the flower and flies without destroying its beauty and perfume, so wander in this life. ~~ Buddha

07-29-2003, 04:28 AM	#18 (permalink)
Debbie I used to work here ;) Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: I live in Trevose, PA & collect Barbies :) Posts: 2,016	July 29 The body is the soulâ€™s house. Shouldnâ€™t we therefore take care of our house so that it doesnâ€™t fall into ruin? ~~ Philo Judaeus

07-30-2003, 03:49 AM	#19 (permalink)
Debbie I used to work here ;) Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: I live in Trevose, PA & collect Barbies :) Posts: 2,016	July 30 When you make the two one, and when you make the inner as the outer and the outer as the inner and the above as the below, and when you make the male the female into a single oneâ€”then shall you enter the Kingdom. ~~ Jesus

07-31-2003, 02:55 AM	#20 (permalink)
Debbie I used to work here ;) Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: I live in Trevose, PA & collect Barbies :) Posts: 2,016	July 31 The origin of all trouble Within this world Is a single word Spoken in haste. ~~ from the Moritake Arakida (Classical Shinto Text)

02-11-2005, 04:10 AM	#22 (permalink)
Debbie I used to work here ;) Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: I live in Trevose, PA & collect Barbies :) Posts: 2,016	I have to tell you all the coolest thing. I received a PM from the author of this book!! He was so happy to hear all of your wonderful comments about his inspirational passages. I probably should have asked his permission the first time to post them and I am so happy that he is happy and not annoyed with me. So I did ask his permission this time and hopefully soon I can continue to post some of his inspirational daily messages. I can't believe I received a PM from an author.......that is just too awesome

02-11-2005, 05:13 AM	#23 (permalink)
Ann Forum Leader Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: By The Lake Posts: 25,173	These are beautiful, Debbie. Thank you for starting my day with something uplifting. The PM is very nice. Hugs Ann __________________ “Promise me you'll always remember: You're braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.” ~Winnie the Pooh~

02-14-2005, 04:06 AM	#24 (permalink)
Debbie I used to work here ;) Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: I live in Trevose, PA & collect Barbies :) Posts: 2,016	Hi Ann I was going to post some more but I seem to have misplaced my book. I know its around some where. Hugs, Debbie

02-14-2005, 05:41 AM	#25 (permalink)
Ann Forum Leader Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: By The Lake Posts: 25,173	Happy Valentines Day, Debbie. Hugs and love Ann __________________ “Promise me you'll always remember: You're braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.” ~Winnie the Pooh~

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