Doing Good, Feeling Good

The following is taken from a book written by Narcotics Anonymous.  It is a book that I studied in Rehab and still refer to regularly as food for thought…  I have many friends in recovery who belong to a Just for Today group (JFT).  They check in with each other each morning, read the reading together, and share their thoughts…all to keep on the right path.
August 30 - Doing Good, Feeling Good
“We examine our actions, reactions, and motives. We often find that we've been doing better than we've been feeling. - Basic text, page 43
The way we treat others often reveals our own state of being.  When we are at peace, we’re most likely to treat others with respect and compassion.  However, when we’re feeling off centre, we’re likely to respond to others with intolerance and impatience.  When we take regular inventory, we’ll probably notice a pattern: We treat others badly when we feel bad about ourselves.
What might not be revealed in an inventory, however, is the other side of the coin: When we treat others well, we feel good about ourselves. When we add this positive truth to the negative facts we find about ourselves in our inventory, we begin to behave differently.
When we feel badly, we can pause to pray for guidance and strength. Then, we make a decision to treat those around us with kindness, gentleness, and the same concern we would like to be shown. A decision to be kind may nurture and sustain the happiness and peace of mind we all wish for. And the joy we inspire may lift the spirits of those around us, in turn fostering our own spiritual well-being.”
Just for Today: I will remember that if I change my actions, my thoughts will follow.