The Daily Llama, by Staci DesRault, brings you short, one-word meditations and a corresponding quote for your complete wool-being (#seewhatwedidthere?) for Monday, June 12th – Friday, June 16th, 2023.
MONDAY, JUNE 12TH
THE DAILY LLAMA WORD OF THE DAY: SAVE
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
MEDITATE ON THIS:
Many people, places, and things may have contributed to the development of our addictions. But ultimately, we have to save ourselves from it. Nobody can do it for us. Not our sponsor. Not our therapist. Not our spouses or children or parents.
They can pray for us. They can listen to us and buy us a cup of coffee when we’re down and out. But we are the ones who have to decide and follow through with being sober.
We don’t do it alone, but we alone are responsible for our recovery.
TUESDAY, JUNE 13TH
THE DAILY LLAMA WORD OF THE DAILY: GUARD
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
MEDITATE ON THIS:
Two of the most universal needs we have throughout our entire lifespan are to love and to be loved. Sometime these needs have gone unmet for so long that we are driven to seek love anywhere we can find it. But the wrong love at the wrong time can do so much damage.
Healthy love will never cause harm.
Our hearts are sacred. It is good to be careful about who we let in. But like most lands, if there aren’t any living beings there, it starts to look rather desolate.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14TH
THE DAILY LLAMA WORD OF THE DAY: PROTEST
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
MEDITATE ON THIS:
For those of us who follow a 12 step plan for recovery, there is often a lot of focus placed on accepting things we cannot change. But that is only the first part of the famous prayer often recited at the end of meetings.
We are also asking for the courage to change the things we can, and the wisdom to know the difference.
Some of us may be too quick to delegate certain things to the “acceptance” pile, when really we need to put those things in the “I can change this” pile. Just because we may realize we are powerless over alcohol and/or drugs, does not mean we are powerless in life.
We don’t get sober to remain powerless. We get sober so that we can step into our power.
THURSDAY, JUNE 15TH
THE DAILY LLAMA WORD OF THE DAY: PROVIDE
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
MEDITATE ON THIS:
One of the magical things that can happen to us in our journey to healing is that we become people other people want to be around. When we stand in our authenticity and have learned to let go of shame and self-judgments, we become less judging, less critical, and less demanding of others. We become more self-assured and loving.
We find rest from the torment, trauma and drama when we can learn to love ourselves and others more genuinely.
FRIDAY, JUNE 16TH
THE DAILY LLAMA WORD OF THE DAY: FATHER
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
MEDITATE ON THIS:
The need for safety and security may be the deepest need we have. When we live under constant threats to our physical safety or in constant fear emotionally, it is difficult if not nearly impossible to get any of our other needs adequately met. When a parent abdicates their role as protector, it can be difficult for that child to feel secure in their relationship to the world at large. This insecurity contributes to chronic feelings of anxiety, mistrust, and low self-worth.
Part of our healing process depends on learning to believe that we are worthy of protection, that we deserve to be physically and emotionally safe. The other part of our healing process is then to create boundaries and pursue relationships that help us feel safe and secure.
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.
