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 18th – 22nd, 2023.
MONDAY, DECEMBER 18th
WORD OF THE DAY: EMBOLDEN
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“Be bold, be brave enough to be your true self.” – Queen Latifah
MEDITATE ON THIS:
The trouble with pretending is that if we do it long enough, we can convince ourselves that what we pretend to be is actually who we are. On the one hand, we may have heard the phrase, “Fake it ‘til you make it.” This is generally accepted as a positive because “faking it” is not to deceive, manipulate, pretend, or hide, but rather to “act as if” with the intention for good. For instance, we fake being a morning person until we can trick ourselves into a good mood. On the other hand, faking that we are okay when we are clearly not can cause us great harm because we keep people away at arm’s length during the times, we need them the most.
At some point, we need to be bold and let the masks fall off. We cannot be known and accepted if we cannot be seen.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 19th
WORD OF THE DAY: SOUL
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“Let my soul smile through my heart and my heart smile through my eyes, that I may scatter rich smiles in sad hearts.” – Paramahansa Yogananda
MEDITATE ON THIS:
Today you are invited to meditate on the following Winter Solstice blessing (Celtic):
May you find peace on this solstice night. May you be blessed to remember that each day forward brings the promise of more light, that the cycle of nature—unbroken and true—brings faith to your soul and well-being to you. Rejoice in the darkness. And in the silence, find rest. And may the days that follow be abundantly blessed.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 20th
WORD OF THE DAY: GENUINE
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“Stay positive and happy. Work hard and don’t give up hope. Be open to criticism and keep learning. Surround yourself with happy, warm and genuine people.” -Tena Desae
MEDITATE ON THIS:
It can be hard to be genuine in a world which appears to reward pretense and polished images. But what the world needs right now is more honest and genuine people. Today we focus on living with genuineness, and we take time to reflect on anything that may be getting in the way of living more truthfully as we who are.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 21st
QUOTE OF THE DAY: IKIGAI
WORD OF THE DAY:
“Ikigai can be defined as ‘a sense of being alive now, an individual’s consciousness as a motive to live.” – Aikihiro Hasegawa
MEDITATE ON THIS:
Aikihiro Hasegawa’s quote reminds us that Ikigai, often translated as “the reason for being” or “the joy of living,” is rooted in the present moment. It is not some distant goal to strive for but a sense of aliveness that can be found in each moment of our daily lives. At its core, Ikigai is about finding purpose and meaning in our existence and embracing individuality as we seek to live our best lives. By cultivating a sense of consciousness and awareness of the present moment, we can tap into our Ikigai and find joy and fulfillment in even the most mundane tasks. Ultimately, Hasegawa’s words remind us that our reason for being is not something that can be found outside of ourselves but is within us all along, waiting to be discovered.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22nd
WORD OF THE DAY: TRANQUILITY
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“Whenever I gaze up at the moon, I feel like I’m on a time machine. I am back to that precious pinpoint of time, standing on the foreboding – yet beautiful – Sea of Tranquility. I could see our shining blue planet Earth poised in the darkness of space.” – Buzz Aldrin
MEDITATE ON THIS:
Buzz Aldrin’s words capture the profound sense of awe and wonder that can be felt when we gaze up at the moon. For him, the moon is not just a distant object in the sky but a time machine that transports him back to a pivotal moment in human history. As one of the first two humans to set foot on the moon, Aldrin has a unique perspective on the beauty and majesty of our universe. He is reminded of the fragile nature of our planet, suspended in the darkness of space, and the importance of protecting it for future generations. Ultimately, Aldrin’s words remind us of the natural world’s power to inspire us, connect us with our past and future, and instill in us a sense of humility and wonder.
HAPPY EVERY HOUR: The 12 Non-Alcoholic Beers of Christmas, The List You Never Knew You Needed Until Now, By Sober Curator Justin Lamb
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.
