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, December 11th – 15th, 2023.
MONDAY, DECEMBER 11th
WORD OF THE DAY: RESPOND
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“The quality of our lives depends not on whether or not we have conflicts, but on how we respond to them.” ~ Thomas Crum
MEDITATE ON THIS:
Conflicts are inevitable. How we respond to them says a lot about where we are in our growth journey. For some of us, the presence of conflict can trigger our fear of disappointing others or of being rejected, so we end up stonewalling or avoiding the issues at hand. Gradually, we may end up quietly resentful and then act out with passive-aggressiveness. For others, it may trigger a fear of being made powerless or vulnerable, so we come at issues swinging fast and hard. Over time, we turn into aggressors or bullies, failing to take into consideration the rights, feelings and needs of others.
Today we meditate on the importance of holding onto our own needs and boundaries without violating the needs and boundaries of others.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 12th
WORD OF THE DAY: VIVACIOUS
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“Come out my friend. Come out from the narrow lanes of darkness into the vivacious light of the day.” — Abhijit Naskar
MEDITATE ON THIS:
The coldness and darkness of winter can make it difficult for those of us who struggle with depression. Everything about the world screams to stay in, isolate, and sleep it all away. Finding the motivation to remain connected to our routines and community is complex. In these times, remember that your value and worth as a human being is not dependent on how clean your house is, whether or not you made your bed, or what you ate today. The vibrant light of day will always call you to come to it, but it will never judge you for how long it takes to arrive.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 13th
WORD OF THE DAY: APPLAUSE
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“The point is not to take the world’s opinion as a guiding star but to go one’s way in life and working unerringly, neither depressed by failure nor seduced by applause.” -Gustav Mahler
MEDITATE ON THIS:
There is nothing inherently wrong with caring what other people think. A certain amount of caring shows a level of empathy toward others as well as displays an emotional investment in our social relationships. Not caring about how others may feel or be impacted by our choices is unhealthy. Blatant disregard for others is the hallmark of antisocial behavior. The trick is to keep our caring in balance so that we are not easily swayed away from our wisdom or intuition or thrown into despair if other people do not automatically applaud our choices.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 14th
QUOTE OF THE DAY: EXTRAORDINARY
WORD OF THE DAY:
“I don’t have to chase extraordinary moments to find happiness – it’s right in front of me if I’m paying attention and practicing gratitude.” -Brene Brown
MEDITATE ON THIS:
Today you are invited to meditate on the beauty of ordinary moments: the smell of winter in the air, the sound of coffee brewing in the pot, the sight of twinkling lights against the dark night sky. What are some of your favorite ordinary moments?
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15th
WORD OF THE DAY: GLEAM
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“Personality is the glitter that sends your little gleam across the footlights and the orchestra pit into that big black space where the audience is.” – Mae West
MEDITATE ON THIS:
Some of us may be sunbeams—loud, visible, bold as day—and some of us may be moonbeams—soft, gentle, quiet in the backdrop of night. But all of us have some version of light to share. All of us have a little gleam to dispel the dark void and help others find their way.
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.
