I have come to realize that all of my fears are false gods before me.
—Mary Casey
Some days are free of fear: they flow smoothly with not a single “tremor.” What's different on those days? Without realizing it, we probably left God's work to God. Fears generally surface when we get too personally invested in the outcomes of situations and in the actions of people we care about. We get confused and think our wellbeing is dependent on them and what they do rather than on God.
Fear about anything is the same as denying God's presence in our lives. It's not easy to shake the fear from our minds once we have given in to it, but we can if we follow the suggestions of this program. Most of us have come to believe in a Higher Power. Remembering to rely on that Power, letting it take charge of our lives and will, is our most positive option.
Any fear I have today is of my choosing. Dwelling on God rather than on the fear will change every experience I have today.
—from A Woman's Spirit
JANUARY 27
Imagination
I just pictured in my mind what I wanted to do. You can use that same formula in accomplishing anything in life.
—Ida Bellegarde
The imagination is a powerful tool. With practice we can perfect our use of it and the results will astound us. Research has shown that athletes who visualize a practice session on the field or mountain or course hone their skills as effectively as those who practice “in the flesh.” This may be hard to believe, but it's nonetheless true.
If this formula has worked for others, it can work for you too. But how do you begin? First, consider what you would like to do. The next step is to sit quietly, close your eyes and imagine, in detail, the activity you want to pursue. Stay quiet with this image until it feels natural. Take special note of the sensations you feel throughout your body, the colors you see around you, your inner voice's message. Absorb the experience fully before coming back to reality.
Repeated “journeys” with your mind will make any activity feel familiar, and enough familiarity makes success possible.
I am not prevented from doing anything I really want to do. Using my imagination to experience it the first time will get me started.
—from Keepers of the Wisdom
JANUARY 28
Accomplishments
An artist is primarily one who has faith in himself.
—Henry Miller
I'm not an artist,” you might be saying. But there is another perspective: some would say we are all artists. Our accomplishments attest to that; our medium has simply differed. Another way of interpreting this message is that when we have faith in ourselves, we can create rich lives. The key, of course, is nurturing faith in ourselves. What are the steps to take?
Not everybody grew up with encouragement. We may have reached adulthood by the skin of our teeth. Having confidence in ourselves took effort and we often failed. But life is made up of effort and failure and more effort again.
Artists are many things, but first and foremost, they are comfortable in their daily activities, which may be at an easel, or in the kitchen, or in a classroom. It may be with others or alone. They seldom doubt what they can offer today. We are all artists. Just as surely as we are alive, we have a gift to offer others.
I will revel in my accomplishments today. My artistry has been revealed to others even though I may have failed to see it.
—from Keepers of the Wisdom
JANUARY 29
Harmony
Harmony exists in difference no less than in likeness, if only the same key-note governs both parts.
—Margaret Fuller
Harmony exists everywhere, as an entity of itself. Our personal attitudes bring the disharmony to a situation. An attitude of love can bless all situations and all people.
The converse is likewise true. We all desire harmony in our relationships. And we will find it, every time we bring an attitude of honest gratitude into a situation.
How we feel, today, about this person or that situation, reflects the strength of our relationship with God. When we experience life in the company of our higher power, we will let life flow. We will observe harmony, then, even in the midst of difference.
All of life's elements are moving toward a state of total and perfect harmony. We need not fear. We can trust the company of our higher power and know that every situation, no matter how adverse its appearance, is contributing to a harmonious outcome if we'd but lend a trusting attitude.
Harmony is everywhere. I will celebrate it. I will trust the present. I will trust the future.
—from Each Day a New Beginning
JANUARY 30
Changing outcomes
Practiced consistently, new habits become who I am.
—Lin Andrukat
We sometimes have trouble defining ourselves. Anyone who spends much time in our presence, however, can define us pretty accurately. Our habits tell our “story” quite readily.
Many of our behaviors embarrass us, yet we repeat them. But changing them takes more than wishing they'd disappear. It takes a decision not to repeat them and the thoughtfulness to find a replacement for them. We return to hold behaviors more out of laziness than intent.
Those of us in a Twelve Step program have the tools to make this shift in our behavior easier. Doing a Fourth Step to look at the past, and frequent Tenth Steps to stay on top of today, gives us the insight to define who we are and who we'd rather be. Changing who we are isn't that difficult if we have the desire.
Any current behavior used to be “new.” It became a habit only with continuous use. I can decide to begin a new behavior today.
—from A Woman's Spirit
JANUARY 31
Expressing love
A call for healing and help is easily recognized.
Any behavior we observe or are the brunt of can be classified instantly. It is either the reflection of a loving thought or an appeal for help and healing. Depending on its nature, the behavior triggers in us a response. Too often it will be ill-conceived. If we haven't consulted with the Holy Spirit first, we're letting the ego dictate our response, and the outcome benefits no one.
Isn't there a way to control our behavior? Certainly. And it's not a mystery known only to a few. We have been apprised of the presence of the Holy Spirit within our minds, but we may not have accessed it often. That's not unusual or something to be ashamed of. We're still learning. But we do need to acknowledge the truth of it, and then seek the Spirit's involvement in the