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04-10-2008, 05:46 PM
Daily Reflections
A WORD TO DROP: "BLAME"
To see how erratic emotions victimized us often took a long time. We
could perceive them quickly in others, but only slowly in ourselves.
First of all, we had to admit that we had many of these defects, even
though such disclosures were painful and humiliating. Where other
people were concerned, we had to drop the word "blame" from our
speech and thought.
TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 47
When I did my Fourth Step, following the Big Book guidelines, I
noticed that my grudge list was filled with my prejudices and my
blaming others for my not being able to succeed and to live up to my
potential. I also discovered I felt different because I was black. As I
continued to work on the Step, I learned that I always had drunk to rid
myself of those feelings. It was only when I sobered up and worked on
my inventory, that I could no longer blame anyone.
************************************************** *********
Twenty-Four Hours A Day
A.A. Thought For The Day
In that alcoholic world, one drink always leads to another and you
can't stop till you're paralyzed. And the next morning it begins all over
again. You eventually land in a hospital or jail. You lose your job. Your
home is broken up. You're always in a mess. You're on the
merry-go-round and you can't get off. You're in a squirrel cage and
you can't get out. Am I convinced that the alcoholic world is not a
pleasant place for me to live in?
Meditation For The Day
I must learn to accept self-discipline. I must try never to yield one
point that I have already won. I must not let myself go in resentments,
hates, fears, pride, lust, or gossip. Even if the discipline keeps me
separated from some people who are without discipline, nevertheless I
will carry on. I may have different ways and a different standard of
living than some others. I may be actuated by different motives than some
people. But I will try to live the way I believe God wants me to live, no
matter what others say.
Prayer For The Day
I pray that I may be an example to others of a better way of living. I
pray that I may carry on in spite of hindrances.
************************************************** *********
As Bill Sees It
Down To Earth, p. 178
Those of us who have spent much time in the world of spiritual make-believe have
eventually seen the childishness of it. This dream world has been replaced by a great
sense of purpose, accompanied by a growing consciousness of the power of God in our
lives.
We have come to believe He would like us to keep our heads in the clouds with Him, but
that our feet ought to be firmly planted on earth. That is where our work must be done.
These are the realities for us. We have found nothing incompatible between a powerful
spiritual experience and a life of sane and happy usefulness.
Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 130
************************************************** *********
Walk in Dry Places
Helping Others____Motives
It may sound selfish, but you should always help others for no reason other than your own benefit. In giving assistance, guard against posing as an idealist or even a Good Samaritan. We are not saints, and our spiritual progress is interrupted the moment we begin to act more saintly than we really are.
Two things happen when we help others in the full knowledge that we are really helping only ourselves. First, we do not place the other person in a demeaning role or make him or her obligated to us. Second, we sidestep the swollen egotism that could arise if we view ourselves as rescuers.
In helping others, we are only passing on the good that has come to us. Any good action will always bring rich rewards in personal well-being. People we have helped will be grateful to us when it becomes clear that we don't demand their gratitude. They will also be inspired to follow this example, which is the true AA spirit that became evident with the first Twelve Step calls.
I'll look for opportunities to help others in the same way that a businessman looks for ways to increase profits. I know that I grow as a person when I help others in the right spirit.
************************************************** *********
Keep It Simple
Many of us as children, were taught to hide our pain, to act as if we had none. We look for ways to hide our pain. Alcohol and other drugs helped us do this. But the pain always returned. We were ashamed that we hurt. We thought we were the only one who hurt so badly. and, worst of all, we
thought our pain meant we were bad people. Ours is a program of honesty. As we live life, there will be troubles, and there will be pain. But now we know that we don't try to hide it. If we hide our wounds, they will not heal. We will listen to others pain and ask them to listen to ours. This will help us continue our journey in recovery.
Prayer for the Day: God, help me be honest about my pain. Help me see pain not as a personal defect, but as a part of life.
Action for the Day: I'll share my pain with a friend, a family member, my group, or sponsor. I'll ask them to do the same with me. I'll think of pain as part of life.
************************************************** *********
Alcoholics Anonymous - Fourth Edition
GROUNDED - Alcohol clipped this pilot's wings until sobriety and hard work brought him back to the sky.
I take little credit for all that has happened. I suited up and showed up, but the process of A.A., the grace of a loving God, and the help of so many around me have been far more responsible for all the events in my life. Today one of my sons has more than 3 1/2 years of sobriety after nearly losing his life to alcohol and drugs. He is truly one more miracle in my life for which I am so deeply grateful.
pp. 529-530
************************************************** *********
Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions
Step Eight - "Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all."
This is a very large order. It is a task which we may perform with increasing skill, but never really finish. Learning how to live in the greatest peace, partnership, and brotherhood with all men and women, of whatever description, is a moving and fascinating adventure. Every A.A. has found that he can make little headway in this new adventure of living until he first backtracks and really makes an accurate and unsparing survey of the human wreckage he has left in his wake. To a degree, he has already done this when taking moral inventory, but now the time has come when he ought to redouble his efforts to see how many people he has hurt, and in what ways. This reopening of emotional wounds, some old, some perhaps forgotten, and some still painfully festering, will at first look like a purposeless and pointless piece of surgery. But if a willing start is made, then the great advantages of doing this will so quickly reveal themselves that the pain will be lessened as one obstacle after another melts away.
pp. 77-78
************************************************** *********
The person who sends out positive thoughts activates the world around
him positively and draws back to himself positive results.
--Norman Vincent Peale
Thoughts have power. Thoughts are energy. You can make your
world or break it by your thinking.
--Susan Taylor
When your knees knock, kneel on them.
Those who are awake live in a state of constant amazement.
--Buddha
If you woke up breathing, congratulations! You have another chance!
"We have flown the air like birds and swum the sea like fishes, but
have yet to learn the simple act of walking the earth like brothers."
--Martin Luther King Jr.
************************************************** *********
Father Leo's Daily Meditation
PRINCIPLES
"Nothing can bring you peace but
the triumph of principles. "
--Ralph Waldo Emerson
Slowly I am understanding what principles are in my life. I am learning
to live with code of ethics that I do not always like, but I know is good
for me and others. Although I do not always fully understand the
"spiritual principles" of life, I know that my ongoing recovery should
be based upon them.
Some of the "spiritual principles" by which I try to live are: Honesty,
Truth, Openness, Forgiveness, Acceptance, Humility and Hope.
I am also experiencing a personal satisfaction in knowing that I am
living today with a set of principles that work. They enable me to be a
feeling and loving human being. Today I am beginning to feel what I
always thought other people had. Today I am alive in my life.
May Your principles be my lifestyle.
************************************************** *********
"God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His
Son, Jesus Christ our Lord."
1 Corinthians 1:9
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers,
against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against
the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.
Ephesians 6:12
The peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard
your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:7
"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!"
Philippians 4:4
************************************************** *********
Daily Inspiration
Discover how really nice today is by taking it less for granted. Lord, thank you for my health, my friends, my abilities and the people who enrich my life and I theirs.
Not one day passes without receiving wonderful blessings from our loving and generous God. Lord, may I forget the irritations that distract me from Your happiness.
A WORD TO DROP: "BLAME"
To see how erratic emotions victimized us often took a long time. We
could perceive them quickly in others, but only slowly in ourselves.
First of all, we had to admit that we had many of these defects, even
though such disclosures were painful and humiliating. Where other
people were concerned, we had to drop the word "blame" from our
speech and thought.
TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 47
When I did my Fourth Step, following the Big Book guidelines, I
noticed that my grudge list was filled with my prejudices and my
blaming others for my not being able to succeed and to live up to my
potential. I also discovered I felt different because I was black. As I
continued to work on the Step, I learned that I always had drunk to rid
myself of those feelings. It was only when I sobered up and worked on
my inventory, that I could no longer blame anyone.
************************************************** *********
Twenty-Four Hours A Day
A.A. Thought For The Day
In that alcoholic world, one drink always leads to another and you
can't stop till you're paralyzed. And the next morning it begins all over
again. You eventually land in a hospital or jail. You lose your job. Your
home is broken up. You're always in a mess. You're on the
merry-go-round and you can't get off. You're in a squirrel cage and
you can't get out. Am I convinced that the alcoholic world is not a
pleasant place for me to live in?
Meditation For The Day
I must learn to accept self-discipline. I must try never to yield one
point that I have already won. I must not let myself go in resentments,
hates, fears, pride, lust, or gossip. Even if the discipline keeps me
separated from some people who are without discipline, nevertheless I
will carry on. I may have different ways and a different standard of
living than some others. I may be actuated by different motives than some
people. But I will try to live the way I believe God wants me to live, no
matter what others say.
Prayer For The Day
I pray that I may be an example to others of a better way of living. I
pray that I may carry on in spite of hindrances.
************************************************** *********
As Bill Sees It
Down To Earth, p. 178
Those of us who have spent much time in the world of spiritual make-believe have
eventually seen the childishness of it. This dream world has been replaced by a great
sense of purpose, accompanied by a growing consciousness of the power of God in our
lives.
We have come to believe He would like us to keep our heads in the clouds with Him, but
that our feet ought to be firmly planted on earth. That is where our work must be done.
These are the realities for us. We have found nothing incompatible between a powerful
spiritual experience and a life of sane and happy usefulness.
Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 130
************************************************** *********
Walk in Dry Places
Helping Others____Motives
It may sound selfish, but you should always help others for no reason other than your own benefit. In giving assistance, guard against posing as an idealist or even a Good Samaritan. We are not saints, and our spiritual progress is interrupted the moment we begin to act more saintly than we really are.
Two things happen when we help others in the full knowledge that we are really helping only ourselves. First, we do not place the other person in a demeaning role or make him or her obligated to us. Second, we sidestep the swollen egotism that could arise if we view ourselves as rescuers.
In helping others, we are only passing on the good that has come to us. Any good action will always bring rich rewards in personal well-being. People we have helped will be grateful to us when it becomes clear that we don't demand their gratitude. They will also be inspired to follow this example, which is the true AA spirit that became evident with the first Twelve Step calls.
I'll look for opportunities to help others in the same way that a businessman looks for ways to increase profits. I know that I grow as a person when I help others in the right spirit.
************************************************** *********
Keep It Simple
Many of us as children, were taught to hide our pain, to act as if we had none. We look for ways to hide our pain. Alcohol and other drugs helped us do this. But the pain always returned. We were ashamed that we hurt. We thought we were the only one who hurt so badly. and, worst of all, we
thought our pain meant we were bad people. Ours is a program of honesty. As we live life, there will be troubles, and there will be pain. But now we know that we don't try to hide it. If we hide our wounds, they will not heal. We will listen to others pain and ask them to listen to ours. This will help us continue our journey in recovery.
Prayer for the Day: God, help me be honest about my pain. Help me see pain not as a personal defect, but as a part of life.
Action for the Day: I'll share my pain with a friend, a family member, my group, or sponsor. I'll ask them to do the same with me. I'll think of pain as part of life.
************************************************** *********
Alcoholics Anonymous - Fourth Edition
GROUNDED - Alcohol clipped this pilot's wings until sobriety and hard work brought him back to the sky.
I take little credit for all that has happened. I suited up and showed up, but the process of A.A., the grace of a loving God, and the help of so many around me have been far more responsible for all the events in my life. Today one of my sons has more than 3 1/2 years of sobriety after nearly losing his life to alcohol and drugs. He is truly one more miracle in my life for which I am so deeply grateful.
pp. 529-530
************************************************** *********
Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions
Step Eight - "Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all."
This is a very large order. It is a task which we may perform with increasing skill, but never really finish. Learning how to live in the greatest peace, partnership, and brotherhood with all men and women, of whatever description, is a moving and fascinating adventure. Every A.A. has found that he can make little headway in this new adventure of living until he first backtracks and really makes an accurate and unsparing survey of the human wreckage he has left in his wake. To a degree, he has already done this when taking moral inventory, but now the time has come when he ought to redouble his efforts to see how many people he has hurt, and in what ways. This reopening of emotional wounds, some old, some perhaps forgotten, and some still painfully festering, will at first look like a purposeless and pointless piece of surgery. But if a willing start is made, then the great advantages of doing this will so quickly reveal themselves that the pain will be lessened as one obstacle after another melts away.
pp. 77-78
************************************************** *********
The person who sends out positive thoughts activates the world around
him positively and draws back to himself positive results.
--Norman Vincent Peale
Thoughts have power. Thoughts are energy. You can make your
world or break it by your thinking.
--Susan Taylor
When your knees knock, kneel on them.
Those who are awake live in a state of constant amazement.
--Buddha
If you woke up breathing, congratulations! You have another chance!
"We have flown the air like birds and swum the sea like fishes, but
have yet to learn the simple act of walking the earth like brothers."
--Martin Luther King Jr.
************************************************** *********
Father Leo's Daily Meditation
PRINCIPLES
"Nothing can bring you peace but
the triumph of principles. "
--Ralph Waldo Emerson
Slowly I am understanding what principles are in my life. I am learning
to live with code of ethics that I do not always like, but I know is good
for me and others. Although I do not always fully understand the
"spiritual principles" of life, I know that my ongoing recovery should
be based upon them.
Some of the "spiritual principles" by which I try to live are: Honesty,
Truth, Openness, Forgiveness, Acceptance, Humility and Hope.
I am also experiencing a personal satisfaction in knowing that I am
living today with a set of principles that work. They enable me to be a
feeling and loving human being. Today I am beginning to feel what I
always thought other people had. Today I am alive in my life.
May Your principles be my lifestyle.
************************************************** *********
"God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His
Son, Jesus Christ our Lord."
1 Corinthians 1:9
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers,
against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against
the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.
Ephesians 6:12
The peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard
your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:7
"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!"
Philippians 4:4
************************************************** *********
Daily Inspiration
Discover how really nice today is by taking it less for granted. Lord, thank you for my health, my friends, my abilities and the people who enrich my life and I theirs.
Not one day passes without receiving wonderful blessings from our loving and generous God. Lord, may I forget the irritations that distract me from Your happiness.