This is posted from the "Today's Hope" site of Alanon.
DAILY SLOGAN/SAYING: Remembering that I can only live one day at a time removes the burdens of the past, keeps my attention on the present, and keeps me from fearing the future
- Heard in a meeting
DAILY REFLECTION: Humility Be humble, for you are made of earth. Be noble, for you are made of stars.
- Serbian proverb
Most of my life, I have engaged in black-and-white thinking and saw the world in absolutes. This included my behavior. If I was “right” about something, I would be extremely proud and quite egotistical. If I was ever shown to be “wrong,” I would be ashamed and completely deferential. There was no middle ground. I based my entire self-worth on how “correct” I was in any given moment.
Since no one could be “right” all of the time, my peace of mind suffered greatly because this was how I chose to value myself. I was exhausted, and perpetually worried about what the next moment would bring. Through recovery, I was able to realize that simply the fact that I exist means I have a right to be, just like everyone else. I do not need to prove my right to exist. I do not need to be right to be respected. Nor do I need to be egotistical any more than I need to be ashamed of myself.
I now love and value myself always, regardless of whether I am right or wrong. And I extend this acceptance to all of those around me. Today, I see that most of the world is a middle ground. I am humble without feeling humiliated There isn’t just black and white everywhere for me. My world is now filled with colors!
Daily share from the forum can be found here:
Today's Sharing - Today's Hope 