Today's thought from Hazelden is:

Accepting those things we cannot change frees us.

It's so easy to get caught up in other people's lives. Assuming that we know what's best for them seems so natural. Many of us have excelled at being caretakers, but it's time to back off and let our loved ones fend for themselves. That means letting them make their own decisions and live with their own consequences.

We can't change other people. Certainly we have made others feel guilty enough so that they have given in and done things our way. And we have won many power struggles. But ultimately we can't claim ownership of anyone else's mind, and we aren't the stewards of anyone else's life. We may feel diminished by our lack of control initially, but in time we will love the freedom of living only our own lives. The extra time we'll have and the peace we'll know will comfort us.

I will experience many moments of relief and peace when I let others be their own stewards.
From: A Life of My Own by Karen Casey


Today's reading spoke to me about my relationship with my brother. He calls every day about 7 or 8 times a day to inquire about his future rather than just living his life. As my friend Becky put it, I have control in that I am his power of attorney, but I do not have and certainly would rather not have control over his life. His life is his to live if he would.

I went to work this morning like I have for over a month, knowing that I would not be returning next year. It takes all that I have in me not to express my hurt feelings. But the reality is that I'm not hurt. Oddly enough I see this as the beginning of a new adventure for me. I'm ready.

Before I left school this morning I bumped into Sam in the hallway. I got a caring hug from him and that was it. I also learned that the position I interviewed for this morning is probably going to someone else but Talledega County, AL where Linda lives has called my references, at least they called Dawn.

I just pray for God to light my path. I'll go where He leads me. I've been meditating about some of the things I read by Thomas Merton. I understand now more fully why he was a hermit. At times I wish I had the courage to be one myself.