Hurt -- Pull the Bandaid off fast, please...

Daily Inspiration

To be completely at peace, avoid hurting anyone for any reason. Lord, I will act with kindness and when others are hurtful to me, I will focus on Your presence within them to give me courage to respond gently.If we spend time thanking God for the good things in our lives, we won't have time to do so much complaining.

Thank You, Lord, for the gift of life and the many things that bring me joy.

*** Don't fib -- I know you watched it too... lol ***

Pay it Forward for Yesterday: I've been feeling under the weather with flu-like symptoms. But rather than sit on my butt all day long, I did some research for a colleague for a new course she'll start teaching next week. Not much, but she really appreciated it.

ME?

Hurt so good (singin') -- come on baby, make it hurt so good. Oops, wrong topic.


Is there anything more difficult than to be kind to those that hurt us. I was taught that I had to let go of the resentments toward those that hurt me and to stop blaming them for my pain.


I've tried to teach, to my child and students, that those who hurt are usually hurting themselves. And we should feel sorry for those who lash out -- not anger and grudge.

Words are so easy to say -- to teach, but oh so difficult to live by.

Sue

I needed some extra inspiration today... Join me in a Spiritual Crossword Puzzle.

Can you forgive those who have hurt you?

Peace --You wanna piece of me?

Prayer For The Day

I pray that I may do the things that make for peace. I pray that I may have a mission of conciliation.

***This Adam and Eve Commercial was Banned***

PAY IT FORWARD for Yesterday: I helped a disabled older woman put her groceries in her truck at the supermarket. At first she hesitated -- must have thought I was a wierdo. But we both parted with a smile.

Me?

I'm going to show my age here... Remember the song and video, We are the World. I recall watching that video and listening to that song with tears in my eyes. The world uniting together to promote world peace and stop hunger -- sigh.

I was so touched by this song. So I can't help wonder what happened to me. When did I lose that peaceful, easy feeling?

Me, me, me -- enough about me; Let's move on to the Daily Prayer.

Well, I'm not completely sure to what peace this prayer refers. When I think of peace -- the first thing that comes to mind is inner peace. But I ask myself, "Which came first, the chicken or the egg... inner peace or conciliation?"

Perhaps, the two work as a team -- hand in hand, complementing each other -- like Tom and Jerry or Laverne and Shirley.

One thing I know for sure... I can't begin to reconcile with others until I'm reconciled with me. So for now, my mission of conciliation is with me and my Higher Power.

Sue

Peace be with you all.

What is your opinion on inner peace and conciliation?

TO THE READERS: Thanks to a blogger friend... I have taken her suggestion to get outside myself and perform a random act of kindness each day.

Learn more about the Susan/Susan Recovery Project or visit posts on Love, Free Will, Acceptance, Change, Waste, Balance, Selflessness, Happiness/misery, or Imperfection.

Kindness -- There is no ME in Kindness

Daily Inspiration

Today be kind and loving and expect nothing in return. When you lift your consciousness above the darkness, you will understand that the life of God is the only enduring life.

Daily Prayer: Dear God, open our hearts to be able to see you anywhere, anytime, in all the ways that you choose to be present.

***This one really made me smile. Take a lookie see.***

ME?

Someone from the program emailed me the other day. He wanted to be friendly and extend a helping hand to a fellow sufferer. His warm words and generosity truly helped me get through a very rough day.

Ah, one of the extreme benefits and joys I have received from this project.

After a few emails, I learned he had cancer and only a few months to live. When I read the Daily Inspiration, I thought of him.

Today, I'm going to perform at least 3 random acts of kindness discreetly and expect nothing in return. It is time I witness, first hand, God, present in my life.

One down -- two to go... lol...

Hugs,
Sue

How do you see your Higher Power present in your life?

Learn more about the Susan/Susan Recovery Project or visit posts on Love, Free Will, Acceptance, Change, Waste, Balance, Selflessness, Happiness/misery, or Imperfection.

Memory -- All Alone in the Moonlight

Father Leo's Daily Meditation

"Every man's memory is his private literature."
-- Aldous Huxley

My memory is the key to my recovery. Spirituality is about "seeing" --seeing my life as it is, rather than how I imagined or hoped it would be. My pain belongs in my life because it is mine! Alcohol always works; but does it work for me or against me? My remembering helps me answer that question today and hopefully tomorrow.

Today's Prayer: Thank You, God, for allowing my yesterdays to forge my tomorrows.

***Memory, Magic or Destiny?***

Me?

Ingrid Bergman once said, "Happiness is good health and a bad memory." Well, for me, only half of this is true.

I realize that I have to remember the mistakes in my past.

I have to remember that woman that nearly ruined her daughter's communion party. She drank all the carafes of wine leftover on the tables then in front of her relatives, gave her fiance a lap dance using his tie as bondage.

That woman driver on the Taconic, the one who allegedly was driving under the influence. The one who drove the wrong way and killed all of those people -- all of those children. Dear God, I have to remember that woman could have been me.

I have to remember, because if I don't, I am likely to repeat those mistakes over and over again.

Unfortunately, as an addict, I tend to chew on a piece of meat until all the flavor is gone. It's important to remember the past -- learn from the past, but not dwell on the past or act like a victim.

Because when you dwell, it'll feel like you're in... Hello please operator, give me number nine...

Sue

"Touch the fire -- I get burned. Touch the fire -- I get burned. Aha, touch the fire -- I get burned!"


Do you have any memories you shouldn't forget? And did Criss Angel guess your card in the video?

Learn more about the Susan/Susan Recovery Project or visit posts on Free Will, Acceptance, Change, Waste, Balance, Selflessness, Happiness/misery, or Imperfection.

Goals -- Be Careful what you Wish for cuz you just might get it...

Daily Motivator

The reason why You know what you must do. And yet how do you get yourself to do it? Again and again, remind yourself why.

With a strong enough reason why, you will be able to do anything at any time in any circumstance. If you're tempted to put off a task until later, remind yourself why you truly want to get it done. Put a powerful why behind it, and you'll find a way to do it now.

Real achievement demands many consistent, focused efforts spread over long periods of time. The way to keep it up is to keep it meaningful. Give your long-term intentions the opportunity to dispel the short-term, momentary urges. With a clear, solid purpose firmly in mind, you'll stay reliably on track. Whatever you choose to imagine can happen for you.

Constantly give your goals a sincere reason why, and you'll bring them steadily to life.
-- Ralph Marston


***Parody of Pussy Cat Dolls by Britney Houston Trannie Dancers***

ME?

I always found setting a goal can be easy. It's the following through that's the hard part.

More importantly than the goal, in my opinion, is the sabotage. Why do we often carefully plan our mission, start off gungho, then... KABLAM -- throw a monkey wrench into the mix.


I love the final sentence in this motivation -- constantly bring your goals to life. If we don't resuscitate our goals, who will? Yesterday, with the encourage of my friends in the blogosphere, I gave my goal a little mouth to mouth and I'm slowly getting back on track.

My mantra today will be in honor of our president Obama and the little engine that could... "Yes I can! Yes I can! Yes I can!"

Sue


She shoots; she scores -- GOAL!!



What are your goals in life?

Learn more about the Susan/Susan Recovery Project or visit posts on Free Will, Acceptance, Change, Waste, Balance, Selflessness, Happiness/misery, or Imperfection.

Pain -- Why don't you like me?

Meditation For The Day

Try not to give way to criticism, blame, scorn, or judgment of others, when you are trying to help them. Effectiveness in helping others depends on controlling yourself. You may be swept away by a temporary natural urge to criticize or blame, unless you keep a tight rein on your emotions.

You should have a firm foundation of spiritual living which makes you truly humble, if you are going to really help other people. Go easy on them and be hard on yourself.That is the way you can be used most to uplift a despairing spirit. And seek no personal recognition for what you are used by God to accomplish.

Prayer For The Day: I pray that I may try to avoid judgment and criticism. I pray that I may always try to build up others instead of tearing them down.

*** an excerpt from Mean Girls ***

ME?

When I feel down, and after a day like yesterday -- eating unhealthy and arguing with my daughter -- I do feel down... I tend to beat myself up.

Today is a new day. My daughter and I are BFFs again, and woke up this morning, picked myself up and began another attempt at living with a healthy mind, body and spirit. I just hope my frustration quarterbacked by my disease will not create more misdirected anger at my seventeen year old.

Susan: This disease makes me feel weak and stupid -- just like when I'm watching Jeopardy and I try to answer questions more than $400. Who am I kidding... $200. This disease makes me feel...
/Susan: ...Stop it -- I can't take your whining anymore. Didn't you get anything from the meditation and prayer for the day?
Susan: There was a meditation and prayer for the day?

All kidding aside -- today is another day. And I'm not going to give up. I'm going to keep reading and writing -- and praying. Because I truly believe, with perseverance, I can be saved. I know I'm not alone.

Sue

Today's question is a WORD ASSOCIATION... what's the first word that pops into your head when I say, "PAIN"?

Learn more about the Susan/Susan Recovery Project or visit posts on Love, Free Will, Acceptance, Change, Waste, Balance, Selflessness, Happiness/misery, or Imperfection.

Love -- Give it away, give it away, give it away now...

Keep it Simple

Love is something if you give away, you end up having more.
--- Malvina Reynolds

Service is how we give love away. It’s the “self” of self-help. Service is not a duty; a gift that’s been given to us. We help ourselves by helping others. It’s how we make sure the program will be here tomorrow.

We “carry the message.” It’s just one way we see how important we are to others. The world needs us. The world needs our love.

Prayer for the Day: I pray for help in making service a big part of my program. Higher Power, help me to “carry the message.”
Action for the Day: Which people could use a kind word and a little love? I will go visit them or give them a call.


***Please note -- I am not affiliated with any blog/advertising***

ME?

I always found giving far better than receiving -- unless you're receiving a 2 carat princess cut in a platinum setting.

But seriously folks... Giving is one area that I am stronger than others -- in and out of the rooms. It's very important to me that carrying the message does is not restricted to members of the program or our faith.

Carrying the message could be
opening the door for someone,
slipping a friendly note in someone's lunchbox,
listening to a problem without judgement,
holding someone's hand or
simply making someone laugh.
Carrying the message can be done in silence by avoiding the urge to be mean, critical or belittling.

Yes, I know -- love is patient; love is kind. But love is also contagious -- like gonorrhea, but in a good way. Too far? So sorry.

Okay, I'll keep it brief. Today, I'm going to get out of myself and show everyone in my path some love. While I'm driving, I won't tell anyone they suck or flip them the bird. Maybe I'll even use one of my lifelines, take Stevie's Wonder's lead and pick up the phone to tell someone I love them.

Sue

I'm sending all my readers some love today, with a warm hug. Pay it forward, pay it forward, pay it forward, now.

How will you pay Love forward today?

Learn more about the Susan/Susan Recovery Project or visit posts on Free Will, Acceptance, Change, Waste, Balance, Selflessness, Happiness/misery, or Imperfection.