Accepting our Best

We don't have to do it any better than we can -- ever.
Do our best for the moment, then let it go.  If we have to redo it, we can do our best in another moment, later.
We can never do more or better than we are able to do at the moment.  We punish ourselves and make ourselves feel crazy by expecting more than our reasonable best for now.
Striving for excellence is a positive quality.
Striving for perfection is self-defeating.
Did someone tell us or expect us to do or give or be more?
Did someone always withhold approval?
There comes a time when we feel we have done our best.
When that time comes, let it go.
There are days when our best is less than we hoped for.  Let those times go too.  Start over tomorrow.  Work things through, until our best becomes better.
There is a time for constructive criticism, but if that's all we give ourselves, we'll give up.
Empowering and complimenting ourselves will not make us lazy.  It will nurture us and enable us to give, do, and be our best.

Today, I will do my best, then let it go.  Help me to stop criticizing myself so I can start appreciating how far I've come.

Willing to Make Amends

How often have we, after having been hurt, wished that the person would simply recognize our pain and say, "I'm sorry"?  How often have we wished that the person would simply see us, hear us, and turn the energy of love our way?  How often have we longed for at least a change of heart, a small dose of reconciliation, in relationships tainted by unfinished business and bad feelings?  Often

Others do too.  It is no secret.  The energy of healing begins with us.  Our willingness to make amends may or may not benefit the other person; he or she may or may not be willing to put matters to rest.

But we become healed.  We become capable of love.

PRATT PORN!!!

looks like somebody I know has been up to no good.  >:]

Friendships

Most of us come to the program with few genuine friends.  And most of us arrive without the slightest understanding of what it takes to build lasting friendships.  Over time, though, we learn that friendships require work.  At one time or another, all friendships are challenging.  Like any relationship, friendship is a learning process.

Our friends love us enough to tell us the truth about ourselves.  The old saying, "The truth will set you free, but first it will make you furious," seems especially true in friendship.  This can make friendships awkward.  We may find ourselves avoiding certain meetings rather than facing our friends.  We have found, though, that friends speak out of concern for us.  They want the best for us.  Our friends accept us despite our shortcomings.  They understand that we are still a work in progress.
Friends are there for us when we're not there for ourselves.  Friends help us gain valuable perspective on the events in our lives and our recovery.  It is important that we actively cultivate friendships, for we have learned that we cannot go one alone.

Just for Today:  I will be grateful for the friends I have.  I will take an active part in my friendships.

So there =P

The Difference Between Right and Wrong

I try to make myself realize that I have learned the difference between right and wrong.  That there is such a thing as right and wrong.  But instead I've learned that these are things -- this "right," this "wrong" -- these are things that we are told.  Simply told to believe.  These are things we have not tested.  And while most of the things we are told may be true, it is not until we have tested them, taunted them, flaunted them, that we truly know they are right.  Or wrong.  Or true.  Or false.  Or somewhere-in-the-fucking-between.  And I think I know now a little better which is which.  And I also know I'll never quit testing this world.  I'll never rely on common knowledge.  Or common denominators.  Or even common sense, for that matter.  To do so would be too, well, common

--Josh Kilmer-Purcell

Friends

Don't overlook the value of friendship.  Don't neglect friends.

Friends are a joy.  Adult friendships can be a good place for us to learn to have fun and to appreciate how much fun we can have with a friend. 
Friends can be a comfort.  Who knows us better, or is more able to give support, than a good friend?  A friendship is a comfortable place to be ourselves.  Often, our choice of friends will reflect the issues we're working on.  Giving and receiving support will help both people grow. 
Some friendships wax and wane, going through cycles throughout the years.  Some trail off when one person outgrows the other.  Certainly, we will have trials and tests in friendships and, at times, be called on to practice our recovery behaviors.
But some friendships will last a lifetime.  There are special love relationships, and there are friendships.  Sometimes, our friendships can be special love relationships too.

Today, I will reach out to a friend.  I will let myself enjoy the comfort, joys, and enduring quality of my friendships