Category Archives: Devotionals

Conflict (Morning Reading)

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Other people’s perspectives are valid.

Many of us have believed our opinions on all matters are right. This has put us at
odds with family, friends, and strangers. Accepting that every person’s perspective is
valid, at least for that person, may seem out of the question at first. But after growing
accustomed to the idea, we will find great relief, knowing that we don’t have to be in
conflict anymore.  We are so much freer when we respect others’ opinions.

The best way to remember that others have valid perspectives is by developing the
habit of momentarily pausing before responding to another’s words or actions. We
will get good at letting others “be.” And we will feel so much better for it.

I will momentarily pause before responding to others today.
This will save me from lots of tension.
~From A Life of My Own

 

Here are a couple of quotes I really like about not judging others – just let others “be”.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And finally, one about empathy (more on that next time).

Changing Us (Morning Reading)

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                                                          I can change
only myself,
but sometimes
that is enough.

~Ruth Humlecker

 


Happiness is more fleeting for some of us than for others. We may ponder this notion but fail
to grasp the reason. However, careful attention to how “the happy ones” go through life will
enlighten us. We will note how seldom they complain about others’ actions. We will discover
their willingness to accept others as they are. We will see that their attention is generally
on the positive aspects of people and circumstances rather than on the negative.

We can join the parade of “happy ones” by letting go of our need to change
people and situations that disturb us. Even when we are certain other people
are wrong, we can let go of controlling them. Doing this means changing
ourselves, of course.But this is the one thing in life we do have control over.

I will change myself if I think something needs changing today!
~From A Woman’s Spirit

The first part of the Interpersonal Effectiveness Module was about working with others in the relationships we want to keep. The second part is about accepting others within ourselves while we still live life with them.  This reading then seemed like a great transition – we are responsible for making changes only in ourselves.

Choice (Morning Reading)

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As I start to outline the Interpersonal Effectiveness Module, it seems appropriate to include this morning reading of Choice.  Everything we do involves making choices, and those choices affect those around us, especially when we’re interacting.  When the passage references being under the influence, consider the broadest meaning of that phrase – it’s not just alcohol and drugs, but we could be under the influence of food, pornography, emotions, our relationship with someone else, our need to please others, our need to “look good” to others, pride, false humility, caffeine, etc.  

Don’t just want. Choose.
~Patricia Benson

For many of us the fog is only beginning to clear. It takes a while to understand that all along life has been about making choices. Because we were under the influence, we inadvertently rolled into many situations with unclear intentions. Not being conscious of our choices, however, doesn’t absolve us of the responsibility for making them. Now we have the opportunity, with the help of the program, to take charge of our choices. We can, with thought, make responsible choices.

We are assured the gift of empowerment when we actively take charge of our choices. We used to want things to work out without doing our part or asking for what we needed. Or we never consciously made choices. What has become so very clear is that not choosing is in fact choosing! And, no doubt, we are still saddled with the results of some of the “choices” we never intended to make. No longer does this need to be our life pattern. Today is new day, and this program is giving us every tool we need to embark on the new course.

I will grow in confidence the more I consciously choose among my many options today.
~From A Woman’s Spirit