The Daily Llama brings you short, one-word meditations and a corresponding quote for your complete wool-being (#seewhatwedidthere?) for Monday, March 15th through Friday, March 19th, 2021.
MONDAY, MARCH 15th
THE DAILY LLAMA WORD OF THE DAY: AWARENESS
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
MEDITATE ON THIS:
All of us at some point or another have felt incredibly irritated or annoyed by another human being. And let’s face it. At some point, we have been that human being that greatly annoyed or irritated somebody else.
Just like all of our other emotions, feelings of irritation are signals that are trying to get our attention to something going on within us or within our environment.
Getting annoyed that someone keeps asking personal questions you’d rather not answer? Those feelings of annoyance may be directing you to set a boundary with that person. Irritated at coworkers who aren’t pulling their weight? Perhaps your irritation may be prompting you to stop over-working.
Finding yourself generally annoyed with the whole world? Possibly you are struggling under the weight of perfectionism and need to let go of something you cannot control. Maybe there is a wound that needs healing, or a situation in which you need to find your voice.
We cannot say we are emotionally aware until we have mastered the art of sitting with all of our uncomfortable feelings long enough to figure out what our feelings are trying to tell us. All feelings are valid. But they usually say more about us than they do anybody else.
DAILY LLAMA FUN FACT:
In addition to being the Ides of March, today is National Napping Day.
TUESDAY, MARCH 16th
THE DAILY LLAMA WORD OF THE DAY: KARMA
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
MEDITATE ON THIS:
The concept of karma is complex with many layers, and it is often misunderstood as some equivalent to “divine retribution.” But karma is not about revenge. Nor is it about a separate entity punishing us for our sins in this life by making us suffer in this life or the next. Karma is more like experiencing the consequences of our choices so that we may learn and grow in wisdom and love.
One definition of karma is this: our unloving thoughts, speech and actions bring us unloving effects, just as loving thoughts, speech and actions bring us loving effects. In other words, we reap what we sow. This is considered the Great Law.
We don’t have to adhere to Buddhism or Hinduism to see this concept at work in our lives. Just say or do something unloving or loving, and see what happens.
In addition to the Great Law, there are eleven other laws of karma. (What is it about the number twelve?!) These laws serve as guides imparting wisdom as we navigate this life and seek to heal our suffering through right thoughts, speech and actions.
Whether or not you believe in the concept of karma is not important. But if you take the time to explore these 12 Laws and apply some of its wisdom in your life, you just may reap a good harvest.
Read more about the 12 Laws of Karma here
DAILY LLAMA FUN FACT:
Today is National Panda Day
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 17th
THE DAILY LLAMA WORD OF THE DAY: LUCK
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
MEDITATE ON THIS:
In the 1980’s, Disney produced a movie called Lots of Luck. The plot revolved around a blue-collar family and what happens when they win $1 million dollars. Spoiler alert: it wasn’t all good.
The moral of the story: while getting the things we want often creates happiness (at least temporarily), there can be a dark side as well. Getting what we want does not guarantee we’ll be happy.
We know this and yet it doesn’t stop us from making wishes. There is something about the concept of luck that is so appealing. Perhaps it is the belief that good things can just randomly happen to us without us having to work hard for it, or the idea that bad things will not happen to us, even though we may deserve it.
Yet as the Dalai Lama reminds us, sometimes we are better off not getting what we think we want.
Recovery teaches us to view our luck through a different lens. We begin to look at some of the negative things that happened to us during our active using as the very things that helped us get sober. We start to see all the times things could have and should have gone so differently, yet we survived. We begin to see that we are lucky to be here.
DAILY LLAMA FUN FACT:
It’s St. Patrick’s Day. Stay safe out there!
THURSDAY, MARCH 18th
THE DAILY LLAMA WORD OF THE DAY: KISMET
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
MEDITATE ON THIS:
Have you ever stopped to think about how much of your life has depended on the timing? Most of us can name at least one thing (if not more) that appeared to happen by chance and yet impacted your life significantly.
Timing is not about forcing things to happen, but rather about being open to the things that happen around you. It is about saying yes to what the universe brings on your path. Kismet is when the universe supplies you with exactly what you need (not necessarily what you want), even if you weren’t looking for it.
What in your life is kismet? How do you think your life would be different if that would have not happened?
DAILY LLAMA FUN FACT:
Today is Awkward Moments Day
FRIDAY, MARCH 19th
THE DAILY LLAMA WORD OF THE DAY: FORTUNATE
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
MEDITATE ON THIS:
Repeat after me: my self-worth is not defined by how I look, how much I earn, what other people think of me, what I do for work, how many days sober I have, my past accomplishments or misdeeds, or my relationship status. I am lovable, just as I am. I am worthy to be here, just as I am. I am necessary to this life, just as I am. I myself am good fortune.
Say it again. And again. And again. Until it sinks in.
DAILY LLAMA FUN FACT:
Today is Certified Nurses Day
Resources are available
Resources Are Available
If you or someone you know is experiencing difficulties surrounding alcoholism, addiction, or mental illness, please reach out and ask for help. People everywhere can and want to help; you just have to know where to look. And continue to look until you find what works for you. Click here for a list of regional and national resources.
