The Daily Llama, by Staci DesRault, brings you short, one-word meditations and a corresponding quote plus a reflection for your complete wool-being (#seewhatwedidthere?) for Monday, September 4th – Friday, September 8th, 2023.
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 4th
WORD OF THE DAY: RESOLUTE
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
MEDITATE ON THIS:
In chemistry, “solute” is a substance dissolved in another. In English, the prefix “re-” usually means “again” or “again and again.” When we combine “re” and “solute,” it would seem the literal meaning would be to be dissolved, again and again, to be broken down repeatedly. So, it is fascinating the definition of “resolute” came to be “determined or firmly resolved.”
The path to purpose will have many breakdowns along the way. You’re not broken. Your past self is being dissolved into your future self. You’re becoming resolute.
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5th
WORD OF THE DAILY: COMMENCE
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
MEDITATE ON THIS:
What do Charles Darwin, Julia Child, and Rodney Dangerfield all have in common? They did not find success until their late forties or early fifties. Depression and addiction try to convince us that things are over for us and that we might as well give up. But that is not the whole truth. While it is true that we may have to mourn some missed opportunities, life is constantly providing us with opportunities to reshape and redefine who we are. Sometimes that opportunity may be the chance to do something new. Other times it may be the chance to accept and let go or to think in a new way.
Whether our legacy is big or small, it is still ours to shape. We can begin again at any time.
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6th
WORD OF THE DAY: READ
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
MEDITATE ON THIS:
Reading is one of our best activities to support our recovery. Here are just a few of the benefits reading an enjoyable book can bring: 1) it provides a type of escapism with minimal consequences; 2) it can help rewire the brain by forming new neural pathways as we consider other ways of looking at the world, 3) it can provide us a change in perspective if we read about people who have gone through similar experiences that we have, and 4) it helps reduce the impact of stress by lowering our heart rate and relaxing our tense muscles.
Do you read as part of your recovery plan? Consider adding reading to your relapse prevention skill set.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7th
WORD OF THE DAY: CARE
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
MEDITATE ON THIS:
There is a difference between healthy caregiving and codependent caretaking. Caring for the happiness of others implies that we are acting in a manner that respects and safeguards their boundaries as well as our own. To manage means that we support someone else’s well-being, and we let go of having control over the outcome.
To avoid codependent caretaking, we must be willing and honest about our motivations. We help because we genuinely wish to give support, not out of guilt, obligation, or need to control. Genuine caring does not enable negative behavior or prevent someone from experiencing the consequences of their decisions. It also does not demand someone to behave in a specific way because of what we have done for them. Caring for the happiness of others does not mean we surround them with pillows and bubble wrap. Neither does it mean we hit them over the head with harsh truth before they are ready to hear it.
Caring without healthy boundaries leads to enabling. Candidness without kindness can be cruel.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8th
WORD OF THE DAY: AVERT
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
MEDITATE ON THIS:
Bad things will happen sometimes. It is a universal truth that the rain falls on the just and the unjust alike. We can’t always foresee or predict or prevent painful things from occurring. And sometimes, despite our best efforts, things will not go our way. Doing the next right thing does not always result in an instant reward.
But just because we cannot control or prevent everything is not an excellent reason for doing nothing. Our choices (actions and words) are like seeds planted in the ground and forgotten. Not everything that gets planted grows to harvest, but you never know when what you say and do makes an incredible difference in your own OR someone else’s life.
We can’t change everything. But we can change some things.
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.
