A Thought for Today
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Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: The Basement
Posts: 724
A Thought for Today
Today's thought is:
When we do for other people what they should do for themselves, we both stay stuck.
Perhaps it's human nature to grow and change only when we have to. Unrelenting pain can serve as a motivator. Sometimes ultimatums are effective too. But making excuses for others or taking over their responsibilities, even when it's for their benefit, never inspires change.
Most of us came into the program because we wanted someone else to change! Now we're learning that the only change we can be certain of is one we make in ourselves. One of the first changes we can make is to let go of others: their opinions, their behavior, their responsibilities. Our need for them to fulfill our expectations is related to our insecurity, not theirs. Every time we preach or take on others' duties, we must recognize that we are
preventing much-needed growth, ours and theirs.
Our intentions might always have been good. But the time has come to let others live their own lives. It's quite enough to take care of ourselves.
I will not do someone else's task today. Growth comes from each of us being responsible for ourselves.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Today's meditation comes from the book
A Life of My Own by Karen Casey copyright 1993
When we do for other people what they should do for themselves, we both stay stuck.
Perhaps it's human nature to grow and change only when we have to. Unrelenting pain can serve as a motivator. Sometimes ultimatums are effective too. But making excuses for others or taking over their responsibilities, even when it's for their benefit, never inspires change.
Most of us came into the program because we wanted someone else to change! Now we're learning that the only change we can be certain of is one we make in ourselves. One of the first changes we can make is to let go of others: their opinions, their behavior, their responsibilities. Our need for them to fulfill our expectations is related to our insecurity, not theirs. Every time we preach or take on others' duties, we must recognize that we are
preventing much-needed growth, ours and theirs.
Our intentions might always have been good. But the time has come to let others live their own lives. It's quite enough to take care of ourselves.
I will not do someone else's task today. Growth comes from each of us being responsible for ourselves.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Today's meditation comes from the book
A Life of My Own by Karen Casey copyright 1993
No More Mrs. Nice Guy
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Iowa
Posts: 724
Thanks
This is pretty good stuff and very timely. 99% of the time I can let go of the others in my life and let them live their lives, but that 1% where I wish I could JUST convince them or SHOW them or NUDGE them.... gads. (and its probably more than 1% of the time, but Im trying to be optimistic here....)
Again, thanks for the post. I needed it today!!
O59
This is pretty good stuff and very timely. 99% of the time I can let go of the others in my life and let them live their lives, but that 1% where I wish I could JUST convince them or SHOW them or NUDGE them.... gads. (and its probably more than 1% of the time, but Im trying to be optimistic here....)
Again, thanks for the post. I needed it today!!
O59
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