May 22, 2013 - Step by Step
Step by Step
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Today, I will reach into my past to measure the enormity of my present and try to grasp the scope of the life sobriety has given me. Whereas I once was helpless, hopeless, weak, apathetic, selfish and destructive, today I have hope, strength, selflessness, compassion, passion and the courage born of humility to treat sobriety with awe and respect. While I cannot and do not want to live in or return to yesterday, I also do not want to forget it; its lessons can steer me from the same mistakes today. And all I have left behind and gained what I have now is through sobriety and, therefore, my sobriety is my No. 1 priority for. Without it, I have nothing except for all that I pray is gone - just for today. And our common journey continues. Step by step. - Chris, M., 2013
May 22, 2013 - Twenty-Four Hours a Day
Twenty-Four Hours a Day
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
AA Thought for the Day
What impresses us most at an AA meeting is the willingness to share, without holding anything back. And pretty soon we find ourselves sharing also. We start telling our own experience and, by so doing, we help the other person. And when we’ve got these things off our chest, we feel a lot better. It does us a lot of good to share with some other poor unfortunate person who’s in the same box that we were in. And the more we share, the more we have left for ourselves.
Do I know that the more I share, the better chance I’ll have to stay sober?
Meditation for the Day
Constantly claim God’s strength. Once convinced of the right of a course of action, once reasonably sure of God’s guidance, claim that strength now. You can claim all the strength you need to meet any situation. You can claim a new supply when your own supply is exhausted. You have a right to claim it and you should use your right. A beggar supplicates, a son appropriates. When you supplicate, you are often kept waiting, but when you appropriate God’s strength in a good cause, you have it at once.
Prayer for the Day
I pray that I may claim God’s strength whenever I need it. I pray that I may try to live as a child of God.
Hazelden Foundation
May 22, 2013 - A Day at a Time
A Day at a Time
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Reflection for the Day
When I first listened to people in The Program talking freely and honestly about themselves, I was stunned. Their stories of their own addictive escapades, of their own secret fears and of their own gnawing loneliness were literally mind-blowing for me. I discovered - and hardly dared believe it at first - that I’m not alone. I’m not all that different from everybody else and, in fact, we’re all very much the same. I began to sense that I do belong somewhere, and my loneliness began to leave me.
Do I try to give to others what has been given freely to me?
Today I Pray
May I begin to see, as the life stories of my friends in The Program unfold for me, that our similarities are far more startling than our differences. As I listen to their accounts of addiction and recovery, may I experience often that small shock of recognition, a “hey-that’s-me!” feeling that is quick to chase away my separateness. May I become a wholehearted member of the group, giving and taking in equal parts.
Today I Will Remember
Sameness, not differences.
Hazelden Foundation
May 22, 2013 - The Eye Opener
The Eye Opener
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
We veterans of the Alcoholic Wars that raged within ourselves can bear testimony to the fact that it was only when we called upon the God of our understanding that peace was restored to our lives.
World wars are but the extension of the conflicts existing in the souls of men on a worldwide basis. They, too, have as their foundation fear, suspicion, envy, intolerance and national egotism.
There will never be a permanent peace until the Prince of Peace is admitted into the hearts of men in high places and is allowed to preside over their Conference Tables.
Hazelden Foundation
May 22, 2013 - Today’s Gift from Hazelden
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Today’s thought from Hazelden is:
Love is selfless, yet it exhilarates the self.
— Sue Atchley Ebaugh
With a quickened step we hurry toward a challenge when empowered by love. Conversely, even the simplest of experiences have the power to fill us with dread when love is absent.
Expressed to a friend, a lover, even a stranger, love promises us unanticipated gifts. We’re openly appreciated, the glow of warmth enfolds us, and we find even our courage is magically bolstered when we’ve shared ourselves in a loving way with someone.
With ease we may express love to children, touched by their vulnerability, certain we’ll not be bruised by rejection. If only we’d continue our free expression of love to all the child adults on our paths, we’d discover both exhilaration and the courage to face any event life passes our way.
From the book:
Worthy of Love by Karen Casey
Worthy of Love by Karen Casey. © 1985 by Hazelden Foundation
May 21, 2013 - Step by Step
Step by Step
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Today, if I get frustrated or overwhelmed by the responsibilities with which sobriety has entrusted me, I will slow down to remember gratitude and humility, if for no other reason than I once could not be trusted with the responsibilities that I have in sobriety. Getting sober and, more importantly, recovery have given me a purpose and sense of inclusion that addictive drinking took from me. But although sober and hopefully getting better emotionally and spiritually day by day, I must guard against a reckless or stupid moment in which what I have gained is destroyed - by me. Today, even if the candle burns at both ends, I will be grateful that my candle now even has a flame. And our common journey continues. Step by step. - Chris M., 2013
May 21, 2013 - Twenty-Four Hours a Day
Twenty-Four Hours a Day
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
AA Thought for the Day
One of the finest things about AA is the sharing. Sharing is a wonderful thing because the more you share, the more you have. In our old drinking days, we didn’t do much sharing. We used to keep things to ourselves, partly because we were ashamed but mostly because we were selfish. And we were very lonely because we didn’t share. When we came into AA, the first thing we found was sharing. We heard other alcoholics frankly sharing their experiences with hospitals, jails and all the usual mess that goes with drinking.
Am I sharing?
Meditation for the Day
Character is developed by the daily discipline of duties done. Be obedient to the heavenly vision and take the straight way. Do not fall into the error of calling, “Lord, Lord,” and doing not the things that should be done. You need a life of prayer and meditation, but you must still do your work in the busy ways of life. The busy person is wise to rest and wait patiently for God’s guidance. If you are obedient to the heavenly vision, you can be at peace.
Prayer for the Day
I pray that I may be obedient to the heavenly vision. I pray if I fall, I will pick myself up and go on.
Hazelden Foundation
May 21, 2013 - A Day at a Time
A Day at a Time
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Reflection for the Day
“The language of friendship is not words, but meanings,” wrote Thoreau. Life indeed takes on new meanings, as well as new meaning in The Program. To watch people recover, to see them help others, to watch loneliness vanish, to see a fellowship grow up about you, to have a host of friends - this is an experience not to be missed.
Can I recall my initial reactions when I came to The program? Do I believe that I’ve finally come home?
Today I Pray
As The Program has given life new meanings for me, may I pass along to others that same chance to re-evaluate their lives in the light of sobriety, common purpose, friendships and spiritual expansion. Praise God for my new vision of human life. Praise Him for restoring for me the value and purpose of living.
Today I Will Remember
I value my life.
Hazelden Foundation
May 21, 2013 - The Eye Opener
The Eye Opener
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
If we deny the fatherhood of God and our divine relationship to Him and each other, then we are but animated pieces of clay, each one independent of and unconnected with each other. If that be so, then we are foolish to love and labor for others. But are love and charity nonsense? Would life be a pleasant and interesting experience without them? No, if we removed these characteristics from our lives, we would be left with only that which the baser animals possess.
Hazelden Foundation
May 21, 2013 - Today’s Gift from Hazelden
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Today’s thought from Hazelden is:
Apologies
Sometimes, we act in a manner with which we are less than comfortable. That’s human. That’s why we have the words: “I’m sorry.” They heal and bridge the gap. But we don’t have to say, “I’m sorry” if we didn’t do anything wrong. A sense of shame can keep us apologizing for everything we do, every word we say, for being alive and being who we are.
We don’t have to apologize for taking care of ourselves, dealing with feelings, seeking boundaries, having fun, or getting healthy.
We never have to change our course, if it is in our best interest, but sometimes a general apology acknowledges other feelings and can be useful when the issues of a circumstance or relationship are not clear. We might say, “I’m sorry for the fuss we had. I’m sorry if what I needed to do to take care of myself hurt you; it was not intended that way.”
Once we make an apology, we don’t have to keep repeating it. If someone wants to keep on extricating an apology from us for the same incident, that is the person’s issue, and we don’t have to get hooked.
We can learn to take our apologies seriously and not hand them out when they’re not valid. When we feel good about ourselves, we know when it’s time to say we’re sorry and when it’s not.
Today, I will try to be clear and healthy in my apologies, taking responsibility for my actions and nobody else’s. God, help me figure out what I need to apologize for and what is not my responsibility.
From the book:
The Language of Letting Go by Melody Beattie
The Language of Letting Go © 1990 by Hazelden Foundation
