The Daily Llama brings you the word of the day, short meditations for your complete wool-being (#seewhatwedidthere?) for Monday, November 2nd through Friday, November 6th.
MONDAY, November 2nd
WORD OF THE DAY: CALM
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
MEDITATE ON THIS:
It is imperative that we establish healthy emotional boundaries if we are to stay in recovery. When we have healthy emotional boundaries, we begin to understand that we have the right to feel all of our feelings. We learn to do this whether or not someone else understands or agrees with them. Also, we recognize that our feelings are not facts and not the whole story. Over time, we learn that our feelings give us information about what we need to do next for our self-care. We also learn that other people can feel all of their feelings. We do not have to fix them, rescue them or fall apart.
When we have healthy emotional boundaries, we take the full responsibility for our own health and happiness, and we let go of taking on the responsibility of the health and happiness of others. We learn how to end conversations and (if necessary) relationships that no longer benefit us. When we have healthy emotional boundaries, we invite our souls to sail in calm waters. Where do I need to set healthier emotional boundaries today?
TUESDAY, November 3rd
WORD OF THE DAY: HOPE
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
MEDITATE ON THIS:
As much as we would like to believe that logic drives our decision-making, the majority of the decisions we make are based on our emotions. This is the primary reason why in recovery we are told not to make any decisions when we are Hungry, Angry, Lonely, or Tired. Because when we are in a state of deprivation (i.e., deprived of food, healthy boundaries, connection or sleep), more often than not we make the wrong choices.
The more we increase our emotional awareness and healthy coping skills, the better we get at making choices that are self-loving, not self-sabotaging. If we have to make a big decision in our lives, it is wise to first make sure we have had a good night’s sleep, a nice meal, consulted with one or two wise friends, and re-established our boundaries before we make that big decision.
If we have done all of these things and still feel confused about our choice, a good rule of thumb is to ask ourselves whether our choice leads us to hope or fear. While many of our fears may be valid, if we allow fear to dictate our choices all of the time, we will not being living in the freedom the path of recovery promises us. How can I connect myself today with hope and not fear?
WEDNESDAY, November 4th
WORD OF THE DAY: FAITH
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
MEDITATE ON THIS:
If we only have faith on days that are sunny and bright and full of promise, can we even say we have faith? No. Faith is born on our darkest days. True faith is not a sunshine feeling, but a cry of desperation as we push forward when it all seems hopeless.
Faith can only arise in us when everything we believe in has been challenged and threatens to disappear entirely. This is the thing which helps us to keep hanging on in spite of all that conspires against us. Faith is a necessary ingredient in recovery. We must believe that we can stay sober, and we must believe that we alone are worth staying sober for.
Faith gives us the strength to keep running the race before us, though we may not know where it takes us. We learn to practice gratitude for our dark days. Because it is on those days that faith shows up and shows us how strong we really are.
THURSDAY, November 5th
WORD OF THE DAY: PERSEVERANCE
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
MEDITATE ON THIS:
Early recovery is a daunting time, most often because we are forced to take a cold, hard look at the damage we caused because of our active addictions. But, also because we no longer have anything with which to numb our broken hearts. Our eyes are opened to a lot of problems. Some of the problems may resolve fairly quickly after we stop drinking or using. However, we realize many of them won’t be able to be solved overnight. Some relapses happen because a problem feels like it is not being solved fast enough for our liking. This may lead us to believe that being sober isn’t working.
Most of the time though, if we can learn how to stay sober through the uncomfortable feelings these problems create, we find that the really big problems have a way of working themselves out over time. Rather than try to solve really big problems too quickly, we put our focus solely on doing the next right thing. As we develop patience and perseverance, we gain confidence that the recovery program we are practicing does work.
FRIDAY, November 6th
WORD OF THE DAY: RELENTLESS
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
MEDITATE ON THIS:
There is a saying in Latin, “Non progredi est regredi,” which essentially means to not go forward is to go backward. While it is normal and human to regress under stress, any type of regression in our recovery has the potential to threaten our lives and we cannot be timid about our sobriety.
We must be relentless in staying sober. We must keep moving forward in our recovery, and not go backward by returning to old behaviors and attitudes we had during our active addiction. Recovery is not for the faint of heart. Keep moving forward, you mighty warrior!
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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.