The Daily Llama brings you the word of the day, short meditations for your complete wool-being (#seewhatwedidthere?) for Sunday, September 19th to Saturday, September 26th in the year of 2020. (Don’t you feel like after a year like the one we are having; we should emphasize the year? LOL)
SUNDAY 20th WORD OF THE DAY:
RESPONSIBILITY
“You may believe that you are responsible for what you do, but not for what you think. The truth is that you are responsible for what you think, because it is only at this level that you can exercise choice. What you do comes from what you think.”
— Marianne Williamson
MEDITATE ON THIS
Freedom and responsibility go hand in hand. It is only when we take responsibility for everything in our lives that we can make effective change. Taking responsibility does not mean we treat ourselves with blame or shame, and it does not mean we take on the burden of other people’s sins against us. It means we step into our power by enacting the changes we can make. We take responsibility for our healing. Where do I need to take more responsibility for my healing in my life today?
MONDAY 21st WORD OF THE DAY:
OPEN-MINDEDNESS
MEDITATE ON THIS
The first prerequisite for recovery or healthy living is open-mindedness. Everything else depends on this basic premise: we don’t know everything. We cannot change anything in our lives if we are not open to another way of doing things, or to new information as it comes to us. Open-mindedness does not mean that we let go of our core values or needs entirely, but it means that we are willing to re-evaluate our beliefs either to sharpen and refine, or to dismiss and let go of what is no longer necessary. Where can I practice being more open-minded today?
TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 22nd WORD OF THE DAY:
HUMILITY
MEDITATE ON THIS
Meditate on This: The Latin root of humility is humus, which translates to ground or earth. When we practice humility, we are quite literally “grounded.” To have humility means we keep our self-worth in proper scale, not too low and not too high. Like open-mindedness, humility is a foundational quality to cultivate if we are to remain in recovery or in good mental health. How can I begin to practice more humility in my relationships today?
WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 23rd WORD OF THE DAY:
HONESTY
MEDITATE ON THIS
Meditate on This: We cannot have true connection with others when we practice dishonesty. Any connection formed on the basis of a lie is not real. It is imaginary. For when we lie, we are creating a world of things we wish to be. We cease living in the world as it is. To stay healthy or sober, we must practice vigorous honesty. To practice honesty does not mean that we just say whatever we think or feel whenever we think or feel it without any regard for how it impacts others, but that we stay true to who we really are, not the version of ourselves we wish we were. In what ways can I show up for others with greater honesty?
Feeling like some more John Lennon?
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 24th WORD OF THE DAY:
DISTRESS TOLERANCE
(JK it’s really two words! Gotta keep you on your Daily Llama toes!)
(Fact check: Just to be sure, we googled “What do you call llama feet” and the answer was TOES!)
MEDITATE ON THIS
Marsha Linehan defines radical acceptance as “accepting life on life’s terms” and not struggling against that which we cannot control or choose not to change. We say “Yes” to life just as it is. We let go of unrealistic expectations. We stop doing the same things over and over expecting different results. We let go of anger, shame, bitterness, regret. We make peace with our past. Where in my life could I dare to practice radical acceptance? How would that make my life better?
Want to learn more on this topic? We recommend you go here.
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 25th WORD OF THE DAY:
PATIENCE
MEDITATE ON THIS
This year has been filled with so much struggle and uncertainty. When we are in distress, it is challenging to practice patience. One strategy to fortify our patience when we are going through something really tough is to start counting our blessings. We take inventory of the things in our lives that we still have. We choose to focus on the good, not because we deny that the bad is there, but because we understand at all times we have the power to shape our character. What are my current blessings in my life today? How does having these things help me endure the struggles and stressors in my life?
RESOURCES ARE AVAILABLE IF AND WHEN YOU NEED THEM:
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.
