Peace a Day at a Time: 365 Meditations for Wisdom and Serenity (Al-anon Book, Buddhism) - Softcover

Casey, Karen

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1573242675 ISBN 13: 9781573242677

Publisher: Books That Save Lives, 2011

Synopsis

A Meditation-A-Day to Aid the Addiction 12-Step Recovery Process

Help in staying centered and finding inner peace. Karen Casey’s daily meditation book Peace a Day at a Time offers 365 reminders to help strengthen those traveling the path to recovery from addiction. In this powerful set of daily reminders, Karen draws from her bestselling Each Day a New Beginning, which has helped millions recovering from addiction.

Grow stronger every day with this classic meditation-a-day book. Karen Casey's daily meditation books have guided millions through their recovery and their daily lives, providing serenity and a happier more peaceful life. She has written eloquently about almost every facet of recovery and how to live a sober, balanced life by trying to live in the present, one day at a time. Peace a Day at a Time offers a meditation for every day of the year, opening with a quote and following with a brief essay and a takeaway message. This beautiful book is your powerful set of daily reminders on how to stay centered and find inner peace. Karen also provides a companion index with key theme words to reference any issue you may be struggling with.

In Peace a Day at a Time learn to:

• Pay attention and listening to your inner voice
• Avoid drama and to let go of blame
• Stop living from crisis to crisis
• Cope with fear, sorrow, anger, and pain
• Embrace change
• Practice kindness, joy, hope, and acceptance

If you have been aided by books such as The Language of Letting Go, The Road Back to You, or Let Go Now; then Peace a Day At a Time can help you heal.

About this title

About the Author

Karen Casey is a writer and workshop facilitator for 12-step recovery. Her first book, Each Day a New Beginning, has sold more than 2 million copies. She has published 28 books since then including Change Your Mind and Your Life Will Follow, which was a finalist for the MS Society Books for a Better Life Awards. She has traveled throughout North America and Europe carrying her message of hope for others on the road to recovery. Visit her at www.womens-spirituality.com.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

peace a day at a time

365 meditations for wisdom and serenity

By Karen Casey

Red Wheel/Weiser, LLC

Copyright © 2011 Karen Casey
All rights reserved.

ISBN: 978-1-57324-267-7

Contents

January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
About the Author
Index

CHAPTER 1

January 1

Helping Others

What do we live for, if it is not to make life less difficult for each other.

—George Eliot

Always seeing our struggles as the fault of others is a good indication that weneed an attitude adjustment. There is no better place to get one than in thisprogram of recovery. The women around us and the Steps that guide us can help usdiscover the joy of cultivating a new attitude.

Trying to determine the grand purpose of our lives can be overwhelming andanxiety-provoking. As alcoholics, we gravitate toward complicating the simple.That's why one of our slogans is "Keep it simple." We can apply this to all ourrelationships. Asking ourselves what we can do to help someone else, at everyopportunity, defines our purpose in life quite clearly. Moment by moment, we'llnever doubt what to do next.

* * *

My purpose is to help someone else today. If I think someone is causing me aproblem, perhaps I should address my attitude.

—from A Woman's Spirit

January 2

Being a Student

... that is what learning is. You suddenly understand something you'veunderstood all your life, but in a new way.

—Doris Lessing

As we are changed by our experiences, that which we know also changes. Ourexperiences foster growth and enlightenment, and all awarenesses give way to newunderstandings. We are forever students of life blessed with particular issuesdesigned only for us. There is joy in knowing that learning has no end and thateach day offers us a chance to move closer to becoming the persons we are meantto be.

To understand something more deeply requires that we be open to the ideas ofothers, willing to part with our present opinions. The program offers us manyopportunities to trade in the understandings we've outgrown. Throughout ourrecovery we have discovered new interpretations of old ideas. And we willcontinue to expand our understanding.

Every situation, every person, every feeling, every idea has a slightlydifferent hue each time we encounter it. The wonder of this is that life isforever enriched, forever fresh.

* * *

Each moment offers me a chance to know better who I am and to understand morefully the real contribution that is mine to make in this life. I will let theanticipation of my changing ideas excite me.

—from Each Day a New Beginning

January 3

Unique Journey

Live and let live is good advice.

The more comfortable we are with the knowledge that each of us has a uniquejourney to make, a specific purpose to fulfill, the easier it is to let otherpeople live their own lives. When family members are in trouble with alcohol orother drugs, it's terribly difficult to let them have their own journey. Becausewe love them, we feel compelled to help them get clean and sober. In reality,all we can do is pray for their safety and well-being. Their recovery is up tothem and their Higher Power.

For some of us it's a leap of faith to believe there really is a Divine plan ofwhich we are all a part. And perhaps it's not even necessary to believe. Butwe'll find the hours of every day gentler if we accept that a Higher Power iswatching over all of us.

Being able to let others live and learn their own lessons is one of our lessons.The more we master it, the more peaceful we'll be.

* * *

I have enough to do just living my life today. I can let others do what theymust.

—from A Life of My Own

January 4

Connections with Others

Life is not what you did. It's what you are doing.

—Jim Burns

Today awaits our attention and involvement. We can sit and merely ponder thepossibilities for action, thinking away the entire day. We could get involved ina volunteer effort; we always said we would when time allowed. We couldreorganize the basement, the kitchen, the garage. Our lives allow forspontaneous pursuits now. Or we can keep our focus small, taking each hour as itcomes and reaching out to at least one other person in every sixty-minute spanof time, doing nothing major, simply expressing our aliveness.

Maybe it's a phone call that keeps us connected to the human community. Orperhaps it's writing a long overdue letter. Offering a hello and a smile to aneighbor or a fellow shopper quite specifically strengthens our connection tothe human community. It's not what we do that's so important. Rather, it'smaking at least one human contact with another living soul that will benefit allof our lives today.

* * *

Being too busy to let others know how much they matter to me isn't a problem anylonger. Every day offers me opportunities to connect with others.

—from Keepers of the Wisdom

January 5

Divine Plan

We are exactly where we need to be right now.

It's good to be reminded that we are where we need to be, particularly if we'reprone to think we are missing out on some opportunity or fearful that we aren'tmaking significant progress in our careers or other areas. When we doubt thatwe're doing enough in any regard, this principle helps us quiet down and readyourselves to peacefully do the right thing. It will always surface.

It's comforting to realize there are no accidents, no coincidences happening inour lives. What we need to experience, to learn, to teach, in order to completeour journey home, will spring forth when the timing is perfect. We'll never haveto search in vain for our next assignment. It will capture our attention.

There is never a need for lamentations. If we haven't fulfilled some task to oursatisfaction, we can redo it. Now. If we haven't treated a companion or coworkerrespectfully, we can make amends. Now. There isn't anything complicatedabout how to move through this day or these activities. We simply need to walkwith the Holy Spirit and we'll get to our destination on time.

* * *

There are no mistakes in what comes my way today. How I respond depends on who Iask to help me see the circumstances.

—from Daily Meditations for Practicing the Course

January 6

Opportunities

Each day is a "workshop." Let's remember to keep our minds and hearts open so wewon't miss our opportunities.

—Dudley Martineau

Looking at every day as a workshop for more productive or rewarding living easesthe dread of new or unfamiliar circumstances. Developing the belief that we willbe given exactly what we need to learn will change how we meet every twenty-fourhours.

Before recovery we expected life to be hard. Our jobs often felt like drudgery.Our families seldom gave us the affirmation we longed for. Friends wereunavailable. What we felt we deserved and sought, we often didn't find. That wasthen. This is now.

It's a simple change in perspective to come to believe that we are given what weneed from our jobs, our families, our friends, every day. Accepting this beliefwill influence the outcome of every experience. Our lives will never seem thesame.

* * *

I paid my dues for today's workshop by becoming abstinent. What I learn is up tome.

—from A Woman's Spirit

January 7

Behavior

Of course, fortune has its part in human affairs, but conduct is really muchmore important.

—Jeanne Detourbey

It's not infrequent that we are faced with a dilemma; what is the best action totake in a certain situation? We can be guided, rightly, in every situation if webut turn inward and let our conscience direct our behavior. We have often heardit said at meetings that when we long for a message from God we will hear it,either through our conscience or in the words of our friends. Thus we can neverreally be in doubt; our conduct can always be above reproach if we but listen.

Right behavior leads to fortunate opportunities for those who look for them.Behavior that we're proud of seems to attract blessings in our lives. One's goodfortune is really God-given and in proportion to one's willingness to act welltoward others in all situations.

Simply, what goes around, comes around. Our behavior comes back to us, manyfold.In our encounters with others today, we'll have numerous occasions to decideabout the best behavior for the particular circumstance. We must not forget thatour behavior elicits the responses we receive.

* * *

I will invite blessings today. I will also shower blessings on my friends.

—from Each Day a New Beginning

January 8

Decisions

No decision has to bind us forever.

Most of us are no longer sure what we want to be doing a year or even a monthfrom now. When we are called upon to make decisions that commit us to a certainpath in the future, we shudder. Will we be allowed to change our minds?

What a change this is from earlier years. Many of us led very controlled lives.We felt safest when we knew exactly what we were going to do. We liked it bestwhen we were able to control others' lives too, even though we failed at thatmuch of the time.

Although we may have responsibilities at work and at home, we are so much freernow. And we can decide, moment by moment, what we need to do for ourselves. Atfirst it feels irresponsible, not being responsible for everyone, changing ourminds when we need to. However, we will grow into this new way of living. Andwe'll love it!

* * *

My decisions today will be for this day only. I can change my mind tomorrow.

—from A Life of My Own

January 9

Responsible Action

Example is the lesson that all men can read.

—Gilbert West

Patterning our lives after others is familiar. Maybe as kids we emulated"toughies" or the teacher's pet. As we grew, the criteria changed, but we soughtrole models, nonetheless. The career we chose and the family relationships wedeveloped may have been inspired by the example of another. Today may be nodifferent. Seeing our friends and acquaintances pursue paths unlike our owngives us ideas to explore. How lucky we are that teaching is never done andlearning is merely a decision.

The only thing that has actually changed is our age. The opportunities forgrowth continue to flow. Our purpose for being here remains the same. Ourresponsibility to ourselves never abates. It's comforting to count on thesethings. It makes our choices simpler.

There's always the right step to take, the right response to make, the rightattitude to foster. But if ever we're in doubt, the impulse to forgive and tolove will never be wrong.

* * *

My action today may be an important example for a friend. I pray to choose mysteps and words wisely.

—from Keepers of the Wisdom

January 10

Expressing Love

Miracles result from a shift in our perceptions.

Every expression is either one of love or a cry for healing and help.Remembering this simplifies how we experience life. The most difficult ofcircumstances reveals a far simpler lesson than we might imagine when it isperceived through loving eyes and a forgiving heart.

But what of the abuse, physical or emotional, we may have suffered at the handsof parents or spouses? Can those experiences be forgotten, forgiven, or simplyexplained away? A Course in Miracles(r) teaches us that every unloving action isalways a cry for healing and help. Regardless of its intensity, an act thathurts us is a cry for help that has grown out of fear.

Embracing this truth doesn't come easily at first. Maybe we can accept it in afew situations. A friend's put-down or the bus driver's rude remark can beoverlooked. But the more serious circumstances require our willingness tosuspend all judgment and offer only forgiveness instead. With time and practicethis will become easier.

* * *

I will quietly think through an action before I take it today. I will askmyself, Is this action loving?

—from Daily Meditations for Practicing the Course

January 11

Loving Acceptance

The love, the acceptance of other persons makes me into the unique person I ammeant to be.

—Peter G. Van Breemen, S.J.

Our destinies are fulfilled through our loving involvement with the men, women,and children sharing our experience. It is not by accident but by design thatwe've been drawn together to share goals, the workplace, or a home. Wecontribute to each other's search for understanding, and the spiritual questthat's at our center finds its resting place in one another's hearts.

* * *

The letter, the smile, or phone call we offer a fellow traveler today will blessour own faltering steps throughout the long hours ahead. Each time we focus ourattention on the struggle or joy of someone else, our personal well-being isenhanced. If we give away our love, we'll doubt less that we, too, are loved.

—from Worthy of Love

January 12

Choices

Choices are not irrevocable.... They can be remade.

—Julie Riebe

Knowing that we can make choices about every circumstance in our lives fills uswith awe at the breadth of our personal power. For decades, perhaps, we felt wehad none. Life was bleak and we were at its mercy. How thrilled we are tounderstand, finally, where our power begins.

We are learning so much from this program. At times we wonder how we survivedfor so long on so little understanding. Our condition felt hopeless, and becausewe took no responsibility for changing our circumstances, nothing changed.

That's true no more. Every day we intentionally make choices about what'shappening in our lives. Some choices, like changing a job or confronting afriend, are big. Others, like deciding whether to exercise today or tomorrow,are small. Large or small, our choices allow us to decide who we are, and noneof our choices are without significance. That's exciting!

* * *

I will choose carefully today. If a change of mind is in my best interest, thenI can change my mind.

—from A Woman's Spirit

January 13

Loving Others

If I can stop one heart from breaking, I shall not live in vain; If I can easeone life the aching, Or cool one pain, Or help one fainting robin Into his nestagain, I shall not live in vain.

—Emily Dickinson

The gift of attention to each other is "passing on" the love of God. In order tofeel love, we have to give it away. We will know love when we give love.

Our attachment to the world, the sense of belonging most of us longed for themany years prior to recovery, awaits us, is showered upon us even as we reachout to someone else. We are no longer alone, scared, alienated when we letothers know they are not alone. We can heal one another. The program opens theway for our healing.

Each day, each one of us can ease the pain of a friend, a co-worker, a child.The beauty of the program, the beauty of God's plan for us all, is that our ownpain is relieved in the process of easing the pain of another. Love is the balm.Loving others makes our lives purposeful.

* * *

No day is lived in vain, if I but cherish someone else's presence.

—from Each Day a New Beginning

January 14

Let Go

Letting go is a decision.

The obsession to pressure other people to see things our way keeps us agitated.In contrast, the wisdom to understand that every person's view has validity, atleast for that person, is a gift we receive from working the Twelve Steps. Ourdaily assignment, then, is to be patient and listen so that we may learn thislesson from women and men who have walked this path already, women and men whohave come to understand that letting go of others and their addictons promisesrelief from the obsession that troubles each of us.

Look around. No one came to this particular juncture in the road because it wasa hoped-for destination. Each of us ended up here because of our pain. All of ustried to force solutions that didn't fit. And we drove ourselves crazy trying tocontrol the behavior of others, certain that "doing it our way" was not onlyreasonable, but right. Our past sometimes may appear to be a series of failures.But our present experience can be peaceful, hopeful, and successful. It's ourdecision to let go. A small decision that we can make many times today. Everyday.

* * *

Let go are tiny words with huge rewards. If I want to, I can give up my attemptsto control someone today. Peace will be my reward.

—from A Life of My Own

January 15

Kindness

As you grow older, try to grow kinder and more broad-minded and more generous.

—Alpha English

As we age, our athletic ability declines. Our memory fails us more often. Wetire more quickly, too. And developing the enthusiasm to explore unchartedterritories requires more effort than when we were young. However, in spite ofthese admitted shortcomings of old age, we are never too tired or too forgetfulor too bored to be kind to our friends and fellow travelers. Indeed, this is onearea that we can show marked improvement in as we advance in years.

Knowing that we can get better at some things is exciting. The good news is thatwe can practice these attributes as often as we want. Every encounter withanother person gives us the chance we need to be kind. Being more open-minded tothe opinions of others is also a decision. And maybe we can't be more generousfinancially, but we can always be more generous in spirit. That's of evengreater value to the well-being of the human family. Growing old is growingbetter. We can see that now.

* * *

I will have many opportunities to hone my skills today. Each person I encounterwill be the better for it.

—from Keepers of the Wisdom

(Continues...)

Excerpted from peace a day at a time by Karen Casey. Copyright © 2011 Karen Casey. Excerpted by permission of Red Wheel/Weiser, LLC.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.

Edition details

• Publisher: Books That Save Lives
• Publication date: 2011
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1573242675
• ISBN 13: 9781573242677
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 384