The message in this day

Here is the reading we used to end the group tonight.







The message in this day
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"What is today telling you? Instead of feeling that you must
fight against the events and developments of this day,
decide to carefully listen.

Imagine that there's a message in each circumstance that
comes your way. Proceed as if you're receiving valuable
information that can make a real difference in your life and
in your world.

Instead of becoming completely consumed by what's happening,
take a moment to consider why. Then go one step further and
look at ways you can make use of the new knowledge that is
coming your way.

The challenges that arrive, the joys you experience, the
disappointments, the discoveries, and the seemingly random
happenings all add up to something. Let go of the need to
instantly jump to shallow conclusions about each little
thing, and seek to know the whole picture.

Find out for yourself what happens when you make the
assumption that everything occurs for a reason, and that
those reasons are good. Take a step back from what seems to
be turmoil, observe with your heart, and you'll begin to see
order.

Choose to see the message that today is bringing. And you'll
find in it real treasure."

~Ralph Marston

Dancing in the Rain

"Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass,
it's about learning to dance in the rain."
~ Anonymous

Letting Go

source: Hazelden.org

Reflection for the Day
"In the past, and sometimes even now, I automatically have thought, "Why me?", when I'm trying to learn that my first problem is to accept my present circumstances as they are, myself as I am, and the people around me as they are. Just as I finally accepted my powerlessness over my addiction, so must I accept my powerlessness over people, places and things. Am I learning to accept life on life's terms?"

Today I Pray
"May I learn to control my urge to control, my compulsion to manage, neaten, organize and label the lives of others. May I learn to accept situations and people as they are instead of as I would like them to be. Thus, may I do away with the ongoing frustrations that a controlling person by nature, faces continually."

Looking Closely and Making Small Changes

I've purposely stayed away from my laptop during the last week. I somehow injured a nerve in my elbow and my left pinkie finger has been asleep (ZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzz) for the last week.

This past week, I consciously looked at different things I have been doing that might have contributed to my small but uncomfortable injury. I found out that I have horrible posture when I sit in front of the computer at work, I use my laptop a lot at home also in bad posture, I hold books with my left hand and use my left elbow for support when reading.

So I am making some changes to contribute to the recovery of my pinkie.

How about you? If you look closely at your life, what small changes do you think could help in your recovery and to live a happier/healthier life?

peace, hope and love,

Lily

If you ever feel different...

Around this time every year you'll see my obligatory American Idol posts. I am a huge American Idol fan!

My favorite Idol contestant this year is Adam Lambert. Last week, the three finalists returned to their hometowns for a visit, local radio/tv appearances and to spend some time with their family, friends and fans.

During his packed schedule in San Diego, Adam requested to visit MET2 . MET2, The Metropolitan Educational Theater Network, is a "non-profit educational organization committed to providing young people with the unique opportunity to be active participants in the dramatic process as actors, singers, and dancers." Adam was part of MET2 from the time he was 8 'til the time he was 17.

Adam has repeatedly said during Idol interviews that he was always the weird kid, that he wasn't popular in high school because he was different, a drama geek.

I love the message her shared with the 200+ children from MET2 last week. The kids got to ask him questions and he had a question for them too. Here it is:

“How many of you feel a little different because you’re creative and in the arts? Well, just let it go. Say ‘I’m gonna be okay as a creative/artistic person and there’s nothing wrong with that.’ If you ever feel different, hold your head up high."

His question really touched my heart and made me think of all the times I felt different growing up: I was taller that most girls and guys in my class, I had glasses, braces and a back brace all at the same time for a while, I'd rather read than go to parties....still today I feel different sometimes (for example, I choose a different career path and life than most of my overachieving family)...

For many years I judged those different from me and was my toughest, worst judge and critic. I have learned to respect, embrace and be compassionate towards my differences and the differences in others.

How did you feel different growing up? How do you sometimes feel different today?

Next time you feel different, remember Adam's words during his visit to MET2:

“How many of you feel a little different because you’re X, Y, Z? Well, just let it go. Say ‘I’m gonna be okay as X, Y, Z person and there’s nothing wrong with that.'
If you ever feel different, hold your head up high."

peace, hope and love,

Lily

Lessons from Baby Jonah

The latest picture from by baby nephew got me thinking....what lesson can we learn from baby Jonah in this pic?

Every day, remember to take some time to do something nice for yourself. Take care of yourself, nurture yourself, be kind to yourself. You deserve it!

What is something nice you can do for yourself today?

peace, hope and love,

Lily

Thought for Today

It's not who you are that holds you back, it's who you think you're not. ~Author Unknown

Quote for Today

"I am always amazed when I take off in an airplane, on a dark gloomy cloudy day, how bright it actually is once we get passed the clouds. I always try to remind myself during dark times in my life that the light is actually still shining. I just need to pierce the clouds and let the sunshine in. The darkness comes only because something is blocking the light."

~ Rabbi David Aaron, Author of Endless Light, Seeing G- d, The Secret Life of G-d, Inviting G-d In and Living a Joyous Life