The Daily Llama brings you short, one-word meditations and a corresponding quote for your complete wool-being (#seewhatwedidthere?) for Monday, March 22nd through Friday, March 26th, 2021.
MONDAY, MARCH 22nd
THE DAILY LLAMA WORD OF THE DAY: SPRING
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
MEDITATE ON THIS:
Spring is the season of fresh starts and second chances. Just when we think it’s over and winter has won, spring reminds us that the story is not finished yet. Nothing stays dark forever.
Pull back the drapes. Open the windows. Let the fresh air blow through your home. Get outside and breathe in the crisp cool morning air.
It’s spring. The world has not given up on you. Don’t you give up on it.
The Daily Llama Fun Fact:
Today is National Goof Off Day and Bavarian Crepes Day.
TUESDAY, MARCH 23rd
THE DAILY LLAMA WORD OF THE DAY: BEGIN
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
MEDITATE ON THIS:
We do ourselves a great disservice when we try to take on a lifetime of recovery in one day. It can be so discouraging to look at all the things we wish to change about ourselves, our lives, and our world. When our to-do list looks insurmountable, we can become paralyzed with inaction.
Start small. Stop looking at the mountain. Focus only on the path that takes you up the mountain. Rest when you need it. Drink lots of water. It helps if you have a few friends to talk to along the way. Go at your own pace. You can’t fail. It’s not a race, and it’s not a competition.
But you won’t get anywhere unless you begin.
The Daily Llama Fun Fact:
Today is National Puppy Day and Near Miss Day. What is Near Miss Day, you ask? Check it out here
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 24th
THE DAILY LLAMA WORD OF THE DAY: EMANATE
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
MEDITATE ON THIS:
Sometimes we too easily sacrifice relationships on the altar of being right. Naturally, we have the right to defend ourselves and others in the face of abuse, injustice, or deception. But in the context of our everyday close, loving relationships, we may find ourselves arguing over unimportant issues until we perceive we’ve won the debate.
Congratulations! You’re now King/Queen of the Molehill.
But what’s the point of being right if we hurt the ones we love in the process? It’s self-sabotaging at best, and destructive at worst. Constantly fighting over who is right and who is wrong creates defensiveness and contempt. These things erode away the foundation of any relationship.
The world needs less Big Dick Energy and more Big Heart Energy. Before you start to argue your point, ask yourself: do I need to say this to set a boundary? Do I need to say this to protect someone from harm? Do I need to say this to correct a misunderstanding or a lie? If yes, proceed. Is the answer no? Then ask yourself: would saying this create connection/understanding/love/kindness between us? If no, then what’s the point? What purpose will it serve? If it only serves to build up your ego, maybe letting it go is the emotionally grown up thing to do.
The Daily Llama Fun Fact:
Today is National Chocolate Covered Raisin Day
THURSDAY, MARCH 25th
THE DAILY LLAMA WORD OF THE DAY: GROW
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
MEDITATE ON THIS:
In recovery, we talk a lot about change: our motivation for change, the stages of change, the importance of changing our people, places, things, our fear of change, etc. Yet it’s not enough to talk about change. Because everything changes, whether you apply pressure to it or not. Even dead things can change, as they decompose over time.
But only living things grow.
Some amount of change can happen passively over time. But we must actively choose growth. We must nurture a growth-mindset, and purposefully create opportunities for us to overcome our fears.
For only growing things live.
The Daily Llama Fun Fact:
Break out the waffle iron and The Lord of the Rings! It’s International Waffle Day and Tolkien Reading Day!
FRIDAY, MARCH 26th
THE DAILY LLAMA WORD OF THE DAY: LIVE
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
MEDITATE ON THIS:
There are some of us who have become so dissatisfied or frustrated with the course of our lives that we spend much of our time living in a daydream. Sometimes those daydreams are of our own making. And sometimes we numb out through binge-watching television shows or playing out video-game fantasies.
A little escapism is necessary. A lot of escapism leads to trouble.
We must become active participants in our lives. We cannot control everything, but we can control some things. In the words of Norman Vincent Peale:
“The way to happiness: Keep your heart free from hate, your mind from worry. Live simply, expect little, give much. Scatter sunshine, forget self, think of others. Try this for a week and you will be surprised.”
The Daily Llama Fun Fact:
Wear a purple ribbon today! It’s Epilepsy Awareness 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.
