Monday Thoughts 10.30.23

“One of the most damaging myths we’ve been led to believe is that we can have it all and do it all, in all ways, all the time.”  

Sue Patton Thoele

“Those who have the ability to be grateful are the ones who have the ability to achieve greatness.”

Steve Maraboli

“Greatness is not measured by what a man or woman accomplishes, but by the opposition he or she has overcome to reach his goals.”

Dororthy Height

#6 Life can be ordinary or it can be great.

Greatness is mine by a conscious effort.

My husband and I joke around and even eye roll in our conversations about how each other’s day has been. Ninety percent of the time we both remark how uneventful the day was and may even use the word boring to describe it. Yet thanks to sobriety and the WFS Statements we truly relish these seemingly small or insignificant moments as major wins since life before sobriety felt chaotic, frightening, and far, far from great.

Sobriety and Statement #6 create a portal into balance and increased well-being. By consciously focusing attention on the present, it tends to come alive, increasing feelings of connectedness and greatness. In our WFS Beginners Collection booklet our founder, Jean Kirkpatrick, Ph.D. states “Only we can change the way we perceive each day.” Greatness can be uneventful or it can be exciting depending on how we create and perceive it. 

How will you create greatness in your New Life this week?  Maybe you have been incredibly busy and are pulled in numerous directions and it is time to turn inwards for a bit. Greatness can be a weekend of diving into that book you have been meaning to read thanks to the stillness of sobriety. Or maybe life has felt too full of rigid routine and you need a change in scenery. What day trip can you plan this week? Maybe there is a bigger trip that you would like to take, what small steps can you take right now that will foster that focus? Embrace your inner guidance and walk into greatness!

Hugzzz

Karen

Dear 4C Women,

By the time these Monday Thoughts are read, my son, Ted, will have arrived from CA to visit. As I write this, I feel the excitement of his first visit in 6 months since my daughter passed away. It will be wonderful to have him here during one of my favorite holidays – Halloween. I usually have 300 kids and just thinking of them makes me so happy. In fact, my daughter always laughed at how excited I got when the doorbell rang the first time and how my excitement and joy continued throughout the night. She took care of my dog while I enjoyed the kids all dressed up in their cute costumes.

Several years ago, I wrote a Blessing letter to my daughter and it focused on how much she, too, loved dressing up for Halloween. I included all the photos of her in her costumes throughout the years. I have it on my bookcase this year as it brings a smile to my heart.  I feel acknowledging this is a much-needed balance as Karen shared that will enhance my well-being. That leads me to Karen’s point of being incredibly busy and I recognize that is what I have been doing. It’s time to add fun or joy to my days, to be in the moment. I have collected the Hallmark Musical Snowmen for many years. My daughter bought me the Christmas one each year while she lived with me. She would order it online and keep it safely tucked away until Christmas Day. So, I took a trip to the new Hallmark store close to my house. They have a new one and he is adorable. I believe a trip to the Hallmark store might be one of the first places Ted and I will visit – hope he takes the hint! When I think about all of this, I do appreciate knowing that greatness does not have to be big events, although those are wonderful too. It is how you choose to view all those precious moments whether they are planned or spontaneous. 

I hope you consider the questions Karen asked. Bonded in learning to be aware of the great moments, feeling the appreciation for experiencing them, and thinking of yourself as your own unique GPS in seeking greatness in an ordinary life, Dee     

Being present in the moment and taking joy in the small things is a powerful practice that can bring immense happiness and fulfillment to our lives. In our fast-paced world, it is easy to get caught up in the worries of the future or the regrets of the past, often overlooking the beauty and wonder that surrounds us in the present moment. By consciously grounding ourselves in the here and now, we can fully appreciate the simple pleasures that often go unnoticed. Whether it’s savoring the aroma of a freshly brewed cup of coffee, feeling the warmth of the sun on our skin, or relishing in the laughter of loved ones, these small moments hold the potential to bring immense joy and gratitude. Embracing the present moment allows us to cultivate a deeper sense of connection, mindfulness, and appreciation for the richness of life.

            -A note from Michelle (Executive Director, WFS)