Chicken Soup for the Recovering Soul Daily Inspirations (Chicken Soup for the Soul) (19 page)

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PRIL
26

B
efore recovery, we had many questions, the most frequent being “Whyme?”Our answers to that were often too painful to face, so we drowned ourselves in alcohol, substances, food or sex.

The morning after, there still were no answers.

Just for today, we’ll ask: “Why not me?”

Candy Killion

What is the answer? In that case, what is the question?

Gertrude Stein

Footnotes for Life

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PRIL
27

E
verything you need has already been given to you. You have legs so you can turn and face your fears. You have arms to reach out to others. You have shoulders to brace yourself when bad times come. You have ears so you can hear the advice of others. You have eyes to see what needs to be done. And you have a smile so you can always show the face in the mirror that you’re going to be okay.

ShelleyWake

Be gentle with yourself, learn to love yourself, to forgive yourself, for only as we have the right attitude toward ourselves can we have the right attitude toward others.

Wilfred Peterson

Footnotes for Life

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PRIL
28

A
s I become healthier, my desire to live joyfully grows. Healing means that I no longer want to live in fear, indecision or despair. If this means that I must leave a painful or destructive situation, I am free to do so. No longer do I believe that I am supposed to suffer, nor do I believe that God is ready to punish me at any moment. These beliefs are part of the addicted family sickness. Getting well means acknowledging God’s love and knowing that my healing is an expression of my Higher Power. I am making daily choices to avoid beliefs or feelings that throw me back into self-defeating cycles. I am living my life based upon the firm belief that I deserve to find joy and happiness.

Rokelle Lerner

Believe that life is worth living and your belief will help create the fact.

William James

Footnotes for Life

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PRIL
29

B
elieve in yourself, it is your most valuable commodity. This inner spiritual inspiration will help you find the strength to commit yourself for the long-term healing process. Your acceptance will cultivate character and patience. Denial will soon pass. As you reach for your goal the reality will overcome your old desires. A wealth of happiness erases your stress of yesterday while creating a strong accountable bond for today. Your protective covering will yield to the richness that life’s new pathway will bring; the need for a sense of personal fulfillment and satisfaction.

Suzanne Baginskie

While it takes courage to achieve greatness, it takes more courage to find fulfillment in being ordinary.

Marilyn Thomsen

Footnotes for Life

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PRIL
30

D
arkness is relentless in conquering everything in its path with negativity and hopelessness. “All is lost,” cries out its hapless victim. Then the dawn quietly breaks through, gently overpowering its opponent.

The exhausted soul is re-energized and consumed with thoughts of endless possibilities, hopes and dreams. A new life is born and the dawn is victorious. Darkness retreats with wounded spirit, mourning its loss and wondering how the gentleness of dawn can be so effective.

Irma Newland

Expect the dawn of a new beginning in the dark nights of life.

Lloyd John Ogilvie

Footnotes for Life

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1

I
work with children who have been ravaged by tragedy and abuse. Most days I am simply amazed and proud that these kids, especially with their acting out and “behavior problems,” have survived. One little girl in particular had been victimized at every turn in her young life. During our initial session I was given all the proof I needed of a child’s resilience as she serenaded me with the best rendition of “Itsy Bitsy Spider” I’ve ever heard. Her ability to do that reminded me that despite the awful things I see every day, mine is a great reward to meet just one of these kids, who no matter what happens in their life, can still sing.

Jennifer M.Reinsch

Those who wish to sing, always find a song.

Swedish Proverb

Footnotes for Life

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AY
2

S
pring arrives. The start of the new season inspires you to begin anew. You climb another step in your healing progress, an acceptance of a stronger you. The snow melts away like the anxious feelings you’ve finally shed. The ice turns into cool water and with it your worries trickle away. Your head and heart yield to the warm gentle breeze. The challenges that threatened you are easier to overcome. Life becomes simpler and each day brighter as hope and faith prevail.

Suzanne Baginskie

If the simple things of nature have a message that you understand, rejoice, for your soul is alive.

Eleonora Duse

Footnotes for Life