The Daily Llama brings you short, one-word meditations and a corresponding quote for your complete wool-being (#seewhatwedidthere?) for Monday, March 8th through Friday, March 12th, 2021.
MONDAY, MARCH 8th
THE DAILY LLAMA WORD OF THE DAY: SELF-EXPRESSION
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
MEDITATE ON THIS:
Self-expression is a basic human need and is fundamental to our overall well-being. In the past, we may have coped with our pain, trauma, or fear by hiding parts of ourselves away from the world. We may have tried to keep ourselves small because a small target is harder to hit.
But the mighty oak is not designed to remain an acorn.
The acorn does not become an oak tree overnight. It takes a lifetime of perseverance and a little bit of luck to make it. Like the acorn, we can only grow when we refuse to remain the smallest version of ourselves.
But there is one thing the acorn does not do. It does not worry about the outcome. It just keeps growing, one leaf at a time.
Daily Llama Fun Fact: Today is International Women’s Day
TUESDAY, MARCH 9th
THE DAILY LLAMA WORD OF THE DAY: RELEVANCE
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
MEDITATE ON THIS:
We may at times feel small and insignificant. We may think our place in the world holds little power. And we may be right. But little power is not the same thing as no power. To deny our part in the universe is to deny the existence of the universe which includes our existence within it.
In other words, you matter. You are relevant. This is not the same thing as being the center. (If recovery teaches us nothing else, it teaches us that we are not the center of the universe.) Our all-or-nothing thinking may try to trick us into feelings of self-pity. We may think that if we’re not the center, then we’re nothing. Don’t fall for it.
Daily Llama Fun Fact: Today is Barbie’s Birthday! Read more about it HERE.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 10th
THE DAILY LLAMA WORD OF THE DAY: FOCUS
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
MEDITATE ON THIS:
Within the field of cognitive neuroscience, scientists study how the way we think impacts and shapes the development and functioning of our brain (and vice versa). In other words, the action of learning changes the physical structure of our brains. Scientists now have evidence to show that our brains have neuroplasticity across the lifespan, which is a fancy way of saying that even old dogs can learn new tricks.
It just takes a little more work to change. It takes focus. But when we work to direct our thinking intentionally, we can replace old toxic patterns of thinking with healthier thoughts.
Perhaps you have heard the phrase, “what we focus on expands.” This is not just fluffy self-help talk. There’s neuroscience to back it up. The more we do or think a certain way, the more we strengthen that neural connection.
One of the best practices we can do for our healing is to practice gratitude and assume good intentions of others. The more we recognize and give credit to our blessings (especially the tiny ones), the more resilient we will become and the better we will be at handling the stuff that goes wrong.
Daily Llama Fun Fact: Today is National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
Check out this video about neuroplasticity:
THURSDAY, MARCH 11th
THE DAILY LLAMA WORD OF THE DAY: FULFILLMENT
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
MEDITATE ON THIS:
Today’s word has a variety of meanings in different contexts. In one sense, fulfillment means to bring into realization, such as a promise or a prophecy, or to obey, such as a command. In another sense, it means to finish, satisfy, or complete, such an order or a task. Yet another meaning of fulfillment is to develop the full potential of something.
Anticipation is the opposite of fulfillment. Many of us tend to live in anticipation. We look forward to the end of the workday, the workweek, or the next episode of our current binge-worthy show. Some of us right now are anticipating the delivery of an impulse purchase from Amazon. There are many things that we can anticipate at any given time, and we may find ourselves saying frequently, “I can’t wait for (fill in the blank) to be over.”
Anticipation is future-focused. It is natural and healthy to anticipate things that bring us joy. The danger is that if we indulge in this feeling too much it can leave behind an emotional residue of dissatisfaction or anxiety because we fail to spend enough time grounded in the present moment. Part of learning to live life with more mindfulness is learning how to accept each moment in the present as complete and whole.
The fullness of life is open to all of us, each moment of the day. But we have to receive it.
Daily Llama Fun Fact: Today is National Promposal Day
FRIDAY, MARCH 12th
THE DAILY LLAMA WORD OF THE DAY: OWNERSHIP
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
MEDITATE ON THIS:
Whether our recovery is guided by the 12 Steps or the Noble Eightfold path or some other philosophy, we all must aspire to do two fundamental things: make peace with our past and take responsibility for our present choices. When we can accept fully that the past cannot be changed, we will find the strength to let go of the anger that so easily feeds our excuses, our delusions, or our obsessive compulsions.
Part of healing our trauma is learning how to re-write the narrative. Our trauma wants to keep telling us that we are all alone in the world. Recovery reminds us that we have a community of people who are on our side.
Our trauma tells us that we are small and not powerful. Recovery reminds us that we have the power to change. Our trauma tells us that the world is scary and unsafe. Recovery reminds us that we have the right and the skills to set boundaries and put ourselves first.
Our trauma tells us that we are unlovable and unworthy. Recovery reminds us that, while we can do nothing to change the past, we have an infinite amount of choices in our present. Our recovery reminds us that we are lovable and we are worthy.
And as Toni Morrison also wrote, “You are your best thing.”
Daily Llama Fun Fact: Today is National Girl Scouts 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.
