Meditation Thoughts and Pictures

[majestyjo]

[majestyjo]

THE DRINKERS 23RD PSALM



King Alcohol is my shepherd.

I shall always want.

He maketh me lie down in the gutter.

He leadeth me beside troubles waters.

He destoyeth my soul.

He leadeth me in the paths of wickedness

For the effect's sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of poverty

And have delirium tremens,

I will cling to drink,

For thou art with me

To bite and sting and torment me.

Thou preparest an empty table

In the presence of my family.

Thou annointest my head with hellishness.

My cup of wrath runneth over.

Surely destruction and misery shall follow me

All the days of my life,

And I shall dwell in the house of the d**ned forever.

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The Meaning of Peace
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There was once a king who offered a prize to the artist who could paint the best picture of peace. Many artists tried. The king looked at all the pictures, but there were only two that he really liked, and he had to choose between them.

One picture was of a calm lake. The lake was a perfect mirror for the peaceful towering mountains all around it. Overhead was a blue sky with fluffy white clouds. All who saw this picture thought that it was a perfect picture of peace.

The second picture had mountains, too. But these were rugged and bare. Above was an angry sky from which rain fell, and in which lightening played. Down the side of the mountain tumbled a foaming waterfall. This did not look peaceful at all.

But when the king looked, he saw behind the waterfall a tiny bush growing in a crack in the rock. In the bush a mother bird had built her nest....a perfect picture of peace.

Which of the pictures won the prize?

The king chose the second picture.

Do you know why?

"Because," explained the king, "Peace does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble or hard work.

Peace means to be in the midst of all those things and still be calm in your heart. That is the real meaning of peace."

That is the REAL meaning of peace.

~Author Unknown~

[majestyjo]

ALPHABETS OF HAPPINESS

Author Unknown

A--Accept - Accept others for who they are and for the choices they've made even if you have difficulty understanding their beliefs, motives, or actions.

B--Break Away - Break away from everything that stands in the way of what you hope to accomplish with your life.

C--Create- Create a family of friends whom you can share your hopes, dreams, sorrows, and happiness with.

D--Decide - Decide that you'll be successful and happy come what may, and good things will find you. The roadblocks are only minor obstacles along the way.

E--Explore - Explore and experiment. The world has much to offer, and you have much to give. And every time you try something new, you'll learn more about yourself.

F--Forgive - Forgive and forget. Grudges only weigh you down and inspire unhappiness and grief. Soar above it, and remember that everyone makes mistakes.

G--Grow - Leave the childhood monsters behind. They can no longer hurt you or stand in your way.

H--Hope - Hope for the best and never forget that anything is possible as long as you remain dedicated to the task.

I--Ignore - Ignore the negative voice inside your head. Focus instead on your goals and remember your accomplishments. Your past success is only a small inkling of what the future holds.

J--Journey - Journey to new worlds, new possibilities, by remaining open-minded. Try to learn something new every day, and you'll grow.

K--Know - Know that no matter how bad things seem, they'll always get better. The warmth of spring always follows the harshest winter.

L--Love - Let love fill your heart instead of hate. When hate is in your heart, there's room for nothing else, but when love is in your heart, there's room for endless happiness.

M--Manage - Manage your time and your expenses wisely, and you'll suffer less stress and worry. Then you'll be able to focus on the important things in life.

N--Notice - Never ignore the poor, infirm, helpless, weak, or suffering. Offer your assistance when possible, and always your kindness and understanding.

O--Open - Open your eyes and take in all the beauty around you. Even during the worst of times, there's still much to be thankful for.

P--Play - Never forget to have fun along the way. Success means nothing without happiness.

Q--Question - Ask many questions, because you're here to learn.

R--Relax - Refuse to let worry and stress rule your life, and remember that things always have a way of working out in the end.

S--Share - Share your talent, skills, knowledge, and time with others.  Everything that you invest in others will return to you many times over.

T--Try - Even when your dreams seem impossible to reach, try anyway. You'll be amazed by what you can accomplish.

U--Use - Use your gifts to your best ability. Talent that's wasted has no value. Talent that's used will bring unexpected rewards.

V--Value - Value the friends and family members who've supported and encouraged you, and be there for them as well.

W--Work - Work hard every day to be the best person you can be, but never feel guilty if you fall short of your goals. Every sunrise offers a second chance.

X--X-Ray - Look deep inside the hearts of those around you and you'll see the goodness and beauty within.

Y--Yield - Yield to commitment. If you stay on track and remain dedicated, you'll find success at the end of the road.

Z--Zoom - Zoom to a happy place when bad memories or sorrow rear a ugly head.

[majestyjo]

Something to Chew Over!

In order to take control of our lives and accomplish something of lasting value, sooner or later we need to learn to Believe. We don't need to shift our responsibilities on to the shoulders of some deified Spiritual Superman, or sit around and wait for Fate to come knocking at the door. We simply need to believe in the power that's within us, and use it. When we do that, and stop imitating others and competing against them, things begin to work for us.

- The Tao of Pooh by Benjamin Hoff



If we don't change our old ways, just put the plug in the jug, we are a dry drunk. Doing what we always did, thinking the way we always thought, acting out in our disease until such a time as we make the decision to change.



My Daily Prayer

God, I turn my will and my life over to You this day for Your keeping. Your will, Lord, not mine. I ask for Your guidance and direction. I will walk humbly with You and Your fellow men. You are giving me a grateful heart for my many blessings. You are removing the defects of character that stand in my way. You are giving me freedom from self-will.

Let love, compassion, and understanding be in every thought, word, and deed this day. I truly desire Your abundance of truth, love, harmony and peace. As I go out today to do Your bidding, let me help anyone I can who is less fortunate than I.

Amen

Post in 2011 on my site The Five As

[majestyjo]

MAKE YOUR SACRED SPACE SAFE! IF YOU DON'T HAVE ONE, FIND ONE!



They say, what goes around comes around, hope it doesn't come back all at once!

We all do that would have, should have, could have's, yet they can't be changed. In early recovery, a therapist asked me to imagine my mother sitting in a rocking chair in her office, and say to my mother all the things I didn't get to say or wanted to say that I didn't. I think I was about 6 months sober and I walked out thinking she was the one with the problem. I had no concept, a certainly not detoxed and still very much fragmented, to put that kind of thought into action. I could later see that it would have been good, and yet looking back, I don't think the woman knew about addiction.



All I did back then was go to meetings, talk to friends and have my nose in a book. It was my thing, getting lost in the pages of a book so I didn't have to look at myself. I can still do it in today, the difference in today, is that I recognize myself doing it, and turn my thoughts over to my God.



So much of my life was made up of old tapes. I didn't want to be like my mother and I found myself acting like her, using her sayings, and again, I had to erase the old tapes, make new ones, and not apply those old mothering skills on my son.

[majestyjo]

The Lord is my programmer, I shall not crash.
He installed His software on the hard disk of my heart;
all of His commands are user-friendly.
His directory guides me to the right choices
for His names sake.

Even though I scroll through the problems of life,
I will fear no bugs, for he is my backup.
His password protects me.

He prepares a menu before me in the presence of my enemies.
His help is only a keystroke away.
Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life,
and my file will be merged with His and saved forever.

- Unknown to me

[majestyjo]

From Alkie Speaks:

I realized I had a body which can't tolerate alcohol, which is OK. except that I had a mind that can't leave it alone. I'd always said that I could take it or leave it alone - I couldn't do either.

- Doug D.

Because I had a high tolerance for alcohol, I thought I wasn't an alcoholic. I labelled my dad and my ex-husband as alcoholics because they passed out, fell down, staggered, were violent, couldn't walk or drive a straight line. I once said to my dad, "You drove in that condition?" He had just come from his girlfriend's. He looked at me and said, "Well I certainly couldn't walk and proceeded to fall flat on his face and I had to help him to bed.

The reality was that I could match them drink for drink, drive them home, function and resented them for drinking all the booze, before they passed out. I wanted to party and there wasn't much for me. That is when I started hiding my booze. I couldn't have consumed all that liquor and been sober although I never saw myself as drunk. There was only a couple of times that I recall taking the stairs on my hands and knees.

When I saw myself in my dream, because I was wearing red high-heeled shoes and walking a straight line, I was sober. Then I saw myself in living colour and saw the person I changed into when I did drink. It wasn't what or how much I drank. It was what it did to me when I did drink it.

So grateful for the God of my understood, through working and applying the program.

[majestyjo]

Embracing the New 

Meditation by Orin and DaBen 

I pay attention to all the energy about me right now. 

I feel the surface I am sitting or lying on. 

I hear the sounds around me. 

I feel my body. 

I relax my body as I bring my awareness to it. 

I center my awareness in the present moment, the source of my power. 

My mind is clear and alert. 

My emotions are flowing and serene. 

I focus upon my breath. 

It moves through my body bringing me life and energy.  

I follow the flow of my breath. 

I bring my breath all the way down to my feet. 

I feel new energy and aliveness touching every part of my body  

with every breath I take.  

I picture my spine supple and flexible. 

My spine reflects my open and flexible attitude. 

I am open to new people coming into my life. 

I invite new ideas into my mind. 

I am willing to experience more joy and love than I ever imagined possible. 

I picture the future being positive and wonderful. 

I ask now for anything that is not for my higher good to release itself from me. 

I ask now for anything that represents my higher good to come to me now. 

I embrace the new. 

I release the old easily when it is no longer part of my path and purpose. 

I am willing to see the world in new ways. 

I look at many different viewpoints and remain open to new perspectives. 

I open to the wonder of the world like a child. 

I see the world through new eyes every time I look at it. 

I always see something beautiful. 

I trust that the world is safe and that it is always working FOR me and WITH me. 

I release all my limits and embrace the new. 

I know that every day I am becoming more beautiful and perfect light.

[majestyjo]

Law of the Garbage Truck

One day I hopped in a taxi and we took off for the airport.

We were driving in the right lane when suddenly a black car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us.

My taxi driver slammed on his brakes, skidded, and missed the other car by just inches! The driver of the other car whipped his head around and started yelling at us.

My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy. And I mean, he was really friendly.



So I asked, 'Why did you just do that? This guy almost ruined
Your car and sent us to the hospital!'

This is when my taxi driver taught me what I now call,

'The Law of the Garbage Truck.'

He explained that many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage, full of frustration, full of anger, and full of disappointment.

As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it and sometimes they'll dump it on you. Don't take it personally.

Just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on. Don't take their garbage and spread it to other people at work, at home, or on the streets.

The bottom line is that successful people do not let garbage trucks take over their day.
Life's too short to wake up in the morning with regrets,

So ... Love the people who treat you right.

Pray for the ones who don't.

Life is ten percent what you make it and ninety percent how you take it!

Have a garbage-free day!

An oldie, but still a goodie

[majestyjo]

Psalm 51:10-11 —

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me.
______________________

Have you made any New Year's resolutions? This psalm provides some insight into David's spiritual recovery from a place of arrogance and callousness towards God's voice. David knows he doesn't deserve forgiveness, so he calls on God's character of mercy to remove his sins. He asks for renewal, purity, and pardon. We should, too.

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In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. —Genesis 1:1

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2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

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Micah 7:18 Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy.

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Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever Hebrews 13:8

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Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Galatians 6:8

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Revelation 21:5 He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" Then he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true."

[majestyjo]

[majestyjo]

[majestyjo]

We can do what I can't do alone!

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[caressa222]

A long read but some good thoughts to ponder.