Daily Recovery Readings
September 27, 2020
Daily Reflection
WITHOUT RESERVATION
When brimming with gratitude, one’s heartbeat must surely result in outgoing love, . . .
— AS BILL SEES IT, p. 37
While practicing service to others, if my successes give rise to grandiosity, I must reflect on what brought me to this point. What has been given joyfully, with love, must be passed on without reservation and without expectation. For as I grow, I find that no matter how much I give with love, I receive much more in spirit.
From the book Daily Reflections
Copyright © 1990 by Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc.
Big Book Quote
“When ready, we say something like this: My Creator, I am now willing that you should have all of me, good and bad. I pray that you
now remove from me every single defect of character which stands in the way of my usefulness to you and my fellows. Grant me strength, as
I go out from here, to do your bidding. Amen. We have then completed Step Seven.”
~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, Into Action, pg. 76~
24 Hours a Day – The Little Black Book
Thought for the Day
Continuing the consideration of the term spiritual experience: “What often takes place in a few months could seldom have been accomplished by years of self discipline. With few exceptions, our members find that they have tapped an unsuspected inner resource, which they presently identify with their own conception of a Power greater than themselves. Most of us think this awareness of a Power greater than ourselves the essence of spiritual experience. Some of us call it God consciousness. In any case, willingness, honesty and open mindedness are the essentials of recovery.” Have I tapped that inner resource which can change my life?
Meditation for the Day
God’s power in your life increases as your ability to understand His grace increases. The power of God’s grace is only limited by the understanding and will of each individual. God’s miracle-working power is only limited in each individual soul by the lack of spiritual vision of that soul. God respects free will, the right of each person to accept or reject His miracle-working power. Only the sincere desire of the soul gives Him the opportunity to bestow it.
Prayer for the Day
I pray that I may not limit God’s power by my lack of vision. I pray that I may keep my mind open today to His influence.
The Language of Letting Go – Codependency
Temporary Setbacks
Sometimes, after we begin recovery, things in our life seem to get worse for a time. Our finances, our relationships, or our health may seem to deteriorate.
This is temporary; this is a normal part of recovery and healing. It may be the way things will be for a time, but not for long.
Keep working at recovery, and the trend will reverse. Before too long, things, and us, will be better than they were before. This time, the foundation will be solid.
God, help me trust You and recovery, even when I have setbacks. Help me remember that the problems are temporary, and when they are solved, I will be on more solid ground.
Touchstone – Men’s Meditation
What I have wanted is consistency, ever since the day back in Wyncote when my mom and dad split. I have wanted to be liked. I have wanted to be loved. I have wanted to be in a family-type atmosphere.
—Reggie Jackson
How many of us gave ourselves away trying to fix painful childhood longings? We thought if we were good boys, good men, caretakers, we would have the love we wanted. Sadly, our remedies for childhood pain have often been childish solutions. Our need for security may have become a self-centered obsession and blocked our ability to hear our loved ones. We may have become so fervent about accepting others that we failed to stand up for ourselves and lost their respect.
Most of us reach adulthood with leftover pain no person could ever fix. We learn grown up responses by accepting our load of pain and by asking others for help. Intimacy and companionship reduce the weight. We tell our friends about our burdens, and we learn what they are carrying. In the process we grow in wisdom and maturity.
Today. I will remember I do not have to be alone with my pain.
Elder’s Meditation
“I received my education from my culture. My teachers were my grandmothers, and I am really thankful for that.”
–Mary One Spot, SARCEE
Our often unrecognized, but most powerful teachers are our women. In order for men to learn a balanced way, we need to learn from our men Elders and our women Elders. Learning from the women Elders will teach us a whole different set of values and insights to life. When we have life problems, we need to go to the grandmothers to get their advice.
Grandmothers, teach me the values of the Great Mystery.
Daily Horoscope – Cancer
You are taking the space to be yourself today. You are not willing to lie about what you think or water down your opinions. Today, you speak your mind and your self-expression comes from a deeply authentic place. Conversations, research, reading, writing, and simply watching will help you to step more fully into the truth of who you are. Introverted work like psychotherapy or deep reflection upon your life will actually be a source of fun, even if you uncover some very raw emotions.
The Wandering Enigma 