The Daily Llama, by Staci DesRault, brings you short, one-word meditations and a corresponding quote for your complete wool-being (#seewhatwedidthere?) for Monday, July 17th – Friday, July 21st, 2023.
MONDAY, JUNE 17th
THE DAILY LLAMA WORD OF THE DAY: SHARE
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
MEDITATE ON THIS:
Life gets better when we share our wisdom with each other. None of us have all the answers, and we all have blind spots. The key to growth is to remain teachable, open to feedback, and unafraid of questions.
TUESDAY, JULY 18TH
THE DAILY LLAMA WORD OF THE DAILY: WILLING
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
MEDITATE ON THIS:
The will to change stems from being honest about our pain. When denial, minimizing, blaming, projection, and defensiveness all subside, and we see that the way we currently are behaving is not the way we want to be, the will to change is born.
To nurture our will to grow stronger and more determined, we must feed it purpose and meaning. We must connect with our why.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 19th
THE DAILY LLAMA WORD OF THE DAY: ACCEPTANCE
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
MEDITATE ON THIS:
Pay close attention to the times we say “should.” The word “should” functions as a sign of underlying issues with control, shame, or a hidden expectation.
“You shouldn’t feel that way.” Translation: I don’t like how your feeling is making me feel, and I want you to stop feeling that feeling so I don’t have to feel my feelings.
“You should (do/have/be…fill in the blank).” Translation: I don’t trust your ability to figure things out on your own, and I can’t hold space for your questions or feelings because then I’ll have to get in touch with my own, so let me just tell you what to do so that we can both move on, and I don’t have to feel inadequate.
“This shouldn’t happen.” Translation: I have created a reality or a belief system in my head that doesn’t allow for this to happen, and I cannot be wrong ever.
What are some other ways “should” get in the way of our acceptance?
THURSDAY, JULY 20th
THE DAILY LLAMA WORD OF THE DAY: GALVANIZE
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
MEDITATE ON THIS:
Some of us may struggle with setting goals. Past experiences of failures, setbacks, or disappointments may function in our brains like heavy bricks that comprise a wall that feels too large to push through or climb. These bricks may stem from addiction, chronic depression, anxiety, past trauma, chronic illness, or some form of neurodivergence (or all of the above).
Our inner hopes and dreams may have come to seem so unachievable or impossible that we learned never to bother with getting started. It may often feel easier at the moment to give in and give up.
It is important to start with small, easily achievable goals and work up to the big ones. When riddled with self-doubt or despair, we first need to re-establish some self-trust before we tackle the more significant issues of faith and hope in our dreams. We rebuild self-trust when we make small commitments to ourselves and follow through on those commitments.
FRIDAY, JULY 21st
THE DAILY LLAMA WORD OF THE DAY: INSPIRE
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
MEDITATE ON THIS:
Martin Luther King, Jr. says you don’t need to be a genius to be great. You don’t need a fancy education, fame, or lots of money and influence, and you don’t need to have achieved some impossible feat. You don’t have to have all the answers or even need to ask good questions. “You only need a heart full of grace, a soul generated by love.” We become great when we serve others with grace and love.
Grace is the opposite of judgment. Where judgment seeks to label, shame, and separate, grace aims to understand, accept and include. Judgment makes room for antipathy and disdain, and grace invites favor, goodwill, and mercy.
There is an old Armenian proverb which reads, “He who looks for a friend without fault will never find one.” In other words, judging others (or ourselves) will never bring them (or us) closer to perfection or connection.
Judgment leads to loneliness and disconnection. Because where judgment is, love is not.
A Disco Ball is Hundreds of Pieces of Broken Glass, Put Together to Make a Magical Ball of Light. You are NOT Broken, Friend. You are a DISCO BALL!
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.
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.
