Action vs Reaction; Starting the Day with Love and Charity

Waking up with a sense of peace and positive expectation is a gift. Today, I experienced that joy after surrendering my endless "to-do list" to my Higher Power the night before. What had previously felt like an overwhelming cloud of obligations transformed into a sense of trust and serenity. By turning over my worries to my Heavenly Father, I stepped away from self-will and allowed divine guidance to take the lead. 

  With this newfound peace, I embraced the morning with an "attitude of gratitude." In the spirit of this mindset, I reflect on a powerful statement from Dr. Bob Smith at the AA International Convention of 1970:  

"Our Twelve Steps, when simmered down to the last, resolve themselves into the words 'love' and 'service.' We understand what love is, and we understand what service is. So let's bear those two things in mind." 

 

  These words serve as a guiding principle for my day. My intention is simple yet profound—to carry a message of love and charity to those I encounter. As Plato wisely put it: 

  "Kindness is more important than wisdom, and the recognition of this is the beginning of wisdom." 

  Even the scriptures reinforce this truth. Proverbs 17:22 reminds us: 

  "A cheerful heart is good medicine." 

 And when I choose faith and action over anxiety and reaction, I am reminded of Isaiah 40:31: 

 "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." 

 With this perspective, I begin my day. I extend my heart and greeting to all with love and charity. 

 Good morning! May your day be filled with kindness, strength, and joy. 

Rising Above It All

Have you ever found yourself asking, “Is it all worth it?” Some days, even the simplest tasks feel like a struggle—getting out of bed, making the bed, checking emails, glancing at the calendar, or even just looking in the mirror. These are the moments when the choice to be grateful becomes most powerful. 

I am reminded of the wisdom from Bill W., who wrote: 

“We are sure God wants us to be happy, joyous, and free. We cannot subscribe to the belief that this life is a vale of tears, though it once was just that for many of us.” — (Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 133) 

And from Dr. Bob: 

“None of us would be here today if somebody hadn't taken time to explain things to us, to give us a little pat on the back, to take us to a meeting or two, to have done numerous little kind and thoughtful acts in our behalf. So let us never get the degree of smug complacency so that we're not willing to extend that help.” 

Encouraged by these words, I reflect on a truth that has carried me through challenges: 

“The great pleasure in life is doing what people say you cannot do.” — Walter Bagehot 

And from Melody Beattie, a reminder of the transformative power of gratitude: 

“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity... Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.” 

What Does It Mean to Rise Above It All? 

To rise above the weight of daily struggles is to embrace joy, even in the face of adversity. The scriptures remind us of this truth: 

Isaiah 61:3 — “To console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.” 

2 Nephi 2:25 — “Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy.” 

Joy is part of God’s plan for us, and gratitude helps us embrace that joy, even in difficult times. It is often in the little things—small acts of kindness, quiet moments of reflection, a simple acknowledgment of life’s blessings—that we find the strength to keep going. 

Alma 37:6 — “By small and simple things are great things brought to pass.” 

 

So today, I choose gratitude. I choose joy. And I invite you to do the same. 

 

May you find joy in all that this day brings. Good morning. 

Thoughts on Brevity

Have you ever wondered why some people use a great many words yet end up saying little? There are times when I sit in a meeting and listen to someone sharing with all sincerity and length about a subject, only to realize by the end that I cannot quite grasp what has been said. Contrast this with The Gettysburg Address—Abraham Lincoln’s powerful speech that consisted of only 272 words. Despite its brevity, it remains etched in the collective memory of our nation. 

Recognizing that your time is valuable, I will keep this brief. One of the things I appreciate about Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is the use of short, impactful slogans—phrases that capture profound truths in just a few words: 

• “Stick to the basics.” – AA encourages members to keep their messages simple and focused on experience, strength, and hope rather than unnecessary elaboration. 

• “Keep it simple.” – This well-known AA slogan highlights the importance of clear, concise, and meaningful communication. 

• “Say what you mean, mean what you say, but don’t say it mean.” 

The wisdom of Pythagoras reinforces this idea:  “It is better either to be silent or to say things of more value than silence. Sooner throw a pearl at hazard than an idle or useless word; and do not say a little in many words, but a great deal in a few.” 

This principle is also reflected in scripture: 

• Ecclesiastes 5:2 – “Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter anything before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few.” 

• 3 Nephi 17:3 (Book of Mormon) – “Therefore, go ye unto your homes, and ponder upon the things which I have said, and ask of the Father, in my name, that ye may understand.” 

Whether in prayer, teaching, or daily speech, wisdom is found in saying only what is needed, in a way that uplifts and edifies. Too many words can dilute meaning, while concise, spirit-led speech carries greater power. 

Good morning.