The Daily Llama, by Sober Curator Staci DesRault, brings you short, one-word meditations and a corresponding quote plus a reflection for your complete wool-being (#seewhatwedidthere?) for Monday, May 9 – Friday, May 13, 2022.
WORD OF THE DAY: EXAMINATION
MONDAY, MAY 9, 2022
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“Nothing will make us so charitable and tender to the faults of others, as, by self-examination, thoroughly to know our own.” ~ Francois Fenelon
MEDITATE ON THIS:
When we conduct an honest and thorough self-examination, we may find less room in our hearts for judgment and more room for compassion. Often our judgments of others reveal parts of ourselves we have denied or failed to acknowledge. But when self-awareness leads to self-acceptance, we are better able to love others.
The Daily Llama Fun Fact of the Day:
Today is Alphabet Magnet Day, National Lost Sock Memorial Day, National Butterscotch Brownie Day, National Sleepover Day, National Women’s Check-Up Day, and National Stuttering Awareness Day. Today is Billy Joel’s Birthday. This week is National Women’s Health Week.
WORD OF THE DAY: PONDEROUS
TUESDAY, MAY 10, 2022
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“This is what the things can teach us: to fall, patiently to trust our heaviness. Even a bird has to do that before he can fly.” ~ Rainer Maria Rilke
MEDITATE ON THIS:
Life can bring us a lot of heaviness. At times, we may feel weighed down by all the sadness, uncertainty, and heartbreak. It can be hard to have faith in our ability to get through yet another setback or disappointment. Surrender can feel like falling, but it is really more like flying.
The Daily Llama Fun Fact of the Day:
Today is National Shrimp Day, National Lipid Day, and National Clean Your Room Day. Today is Bono’s birthday.
WORD OF THE DAY: NOURISHMENT
WEDNESDAY, MAY 11, 2022
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“When the soul is starved for nourishment, it lets us know with feelings of emptiness, anxiety, or yearning.” ~ Menachem Mendel Schneerson
MEDITATE ON THIS:
Just like our body sends out signals to let us know we are thirsty or hungry, our spirit sends out signals to bring our attention to our unmet emotional needs. Emptiness leads us to seek connection and meaning. Anxiety shows us the importance of safety, faith, and peace. Yearning reminds us of our heart’s deepest desires.
The Daily Llama Fun Fact of the Day:
Today is National Eat What You Want Day, National Foam Rolling Day, National Receptionists Day, National School Nurse Day, National Technology Day, National Third Shift Worker Day, and National Twilight Zone Day.
WORD OF THE DAY: PREROGATIVE
THURSDAY, MAY 12, 2022
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“What is toleration? It is the prerogative of humanity. We are all steeped in weaknesses and errors: Let us forgive one another’s follies, it is the first law of nature.” ~ Voltaire
MEDITATE ON THIS:
It is within our power to forgive or not to forgive. We decide what we tolerate, and we decide what we will not tolerate. We have choices, even when we do not have unlimited choices. We have power, though it may have natural limits or challenges to overcome. The question is not about whether we have choice or power, but whether we can find it and in finding it, whether we can exercise it well.
The Daily Llama Fun Fact of the Day:
Today is National Fibromyalgia Awareness Day, National Limerick Day, National Nutty Fudge Day, and National Odometer Day.
WORD OF THE DAY: SALUBRIOUS
FRIDAY, MAY 13, 2022
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“The trouble with always trying to preserve the health of the body is that it is so difficult to do without destroying the health of the mind.” ~ Gilbert K. Chesterton
MEDITATE ON THIS:
The key to health is balance and moderation. This is as true for our mental health as it is for our physical health. We cannot maintain physical or emotional well-being if we are constantly giving empathy and kindness to others and not giving it to ourselves. Empathy outward without empathy inward is unsustainable. Self-care starts with directing empathy, kindness, and compassion toward ourselves. Any self-improvement that is not well-rooted in self-compassion cannot be sustained, namely because you cannot learn to love yourself through means of hating yourself. We can strive to eat healthily, but if healthy eating is done through self-loathing, it will not be sustained. We can work to exercise more, but if physical movement is used as punishment against our bodies for existing as they are and not as the ideal body we would like to have, our efforts will not be sustained. A house divided cannot stand. We cannot change ourselves by hating ourselves.
The Daily Llama Fun Fact of the Day:
Today is National Fruit Cocktail Day, National Frog Jumping Day, National Apple Pie Day, National Crouton Day, International Hummus Day, and Fair Trade Day.
THE CARD DIVO: Each week Actor, Comic, Host, Patient Leader, Spiritual Mentor, and Sober Curator Daniel G Garza AKA The Card Divo will bring us quick-hitting and intuitive horoscopes for sober people on the go.
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.
