Marathon

A well lived life is like a marathon, not a sprint -- it calls for preparation, determination, and, of course, lots of perseverance.
(100 Days Of Prayer For Women, p. 30)
17 May 2014

Preparation

One thing that reduces the chances of a good outcome is 

a lack of preparation ...

(Cloud & Townsend, Boundaries Face To Face, p. 120)

1 June 2013

Inventory

Depending on how you look at it, it's either time for an end of the month inventory or a beginning of the month inventory.

An occasional review of our progress is an encouraging exercise, for it shows us that we are gradually learning how to live in poise and serenity.

At any rate it is a good time to look back over the month just passed to see what progress we've made and what changes have taken place in our lives as a result of practicing our programs.

• Have we given sufficient attention to our program?
• Have we done at least a little reading each day?
• Are our family relationships more serene and happy than they were a month ago?
• Have we renewed a strained friendship; or made good for an injury to someone?
• Did we make an effort to avoid gossip?
• Did we try to learn something new?

Make this a day of review and preparation for the coming month in which you will renew your efforts to progress in your personal development.

If you don't see any improvement in the month which just ended, do not be discouraged.  There are still many things to learn, one of which is, to accept yourself as you are.  Everything good we can bring about must begin with that.

(after One Day At At A Time In Al-Anon, 31 July) 1 August 2012

Easter Sunday

(Photo: Mr. Dickie - Emmitsburg, MD)

I have never for one instant seen clearly within myself.  How then would you have me judge the deeds of others. (Maurice Maeterlink in Touchstones, 26 February)

The sympton of the anger-sickness is an uncontrollable impulse to judge and condem someone else. (One Day At A Time In Al-Anon, 9 March)

Doing something that we feel good about never loses its importance to our lives. (Karen Casey, Keepers Of The Wisdom, 28 January)

... a careless person who abandons his course is tempted in many ways. (Thomas 'A Kempis, The Imitation Of Christ, Book 1, Chapter 13, p. 42)

No work is of value without preparation.  Every spiritual work must have behind it much spiritual preparation. (Twenty-Four Hours A Day, 28 February)

I will try to be more objective and not take personally everything that is said and done. (One Day At A Time In Al-Anon, 20 February)

I'll take stock of how I really want to spend this day.  I can keep it as simple and quiet as fits my need. (Karen Casey, Keepers Of The Wisdom, 12 January)

Your Best

You had better live your best and act your best and think your best today; for today is the sure preparation for tomorrow and all the other tomorrows that follow. (Harriet Martineau in The Promise of a New Day by Casey and Vanceburg, 17 July) 26 Jul 2011