Daily Recovery Readings for August 15, 2017:

Daily Reflection

DIDN’T WE HURT ANYBODY?

Some of us, though, tripped over a very different snag. We clung to the claim that when drinking we never hurt anybody but ourselves.

— TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 79

This Step seemed so simple. I identified several people whom I had harmed, but they were no longer available. Still, I was uneasy about the Step and avoided conversations dealing with it. In time I learned to investigate those Steps and areas of my life which made me uncomfortable. My search revealed my parents, who had been deeply hurt by my isolation from them; my employer, who worried about my absences, my memory lapses, my temper; and the friends I had shunned, without explanation. As I faced the reality of the harm I had done, Step Eight took on new meaning. I am no longer uncomfortable and I feel clean and light.

From the book Daily Reflections
Copyright © 1990 by Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc.

Big Book Quote

“We had a new Employer. Being all powerful, He provided what we needed, if we kept close to Him and performed His work well. Established on such a footing we became less and less interested in ourselves, our little plans and designs. More and more we became interested in seeing what we could contribute to life. As we felt new power flow in, as we enjoyed peace of mind, as we discovered we could face life successfully, as we became conscious of His presence, we began to lose our fear of today, tomorrow or the hereafter. We were reborn.”

~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, How It Works, pg. 63~

Keep It Simple

We know what we are, but know not what we may be.—Shakespeare

We are addicts. We suffer from an illness. We go to Twelve Step meetings because we know who we are. We have a sponsor because we know who we are. We ask friends for support because we know who we are. We know why we need our Higher Power to guide us. Recovery is a spiritual journey. In this journey, we are followers, not guides. It’s a journey that change us. We don’t know how recovery will change us, but we know it will. Is my faith strong enough for my journey? Part of how we get strong for our journey is by knowing who we truly are: addicts.

Prayer for the Day:
I pray to remember who I am, so I’ll learn to respect the power of my illness.

Action for the Day:
I’ll take time to remember my past, both good and bad. I’ll also take time to think about who I am now. How far have I come?

Daily Horoscope – Cancer

It’s as if you’re in the eye of a hurricane today. Although the air is mysteriously still, your position is quite unstable. You’re surrounded by the wild winds of change and nothing you do now is going to resolve the emotional tension a relationship creates. You want peace and quiet, yet others only seem to bring drama to your doorstep. Nevertheless, you can find solace in self-reflection, music or art. Don’t let a little rain destroy your tranquility.

Daily Recovery Readings for August 14, 2017:

Daily Reflection

REPAIRING THE DAMAGE

We attempt to sweep away the debris which has accumulated out of our effort to live on self-will and run the show ourselves. If we haven’t the will to do this, we ask until it comes. Remember it was agreed at the beginning we would go to any lengths for victory over alcohol.

— ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 76

Making a list of people I had harmed was not a particularly difficult thing to do. They had showed up in my Fourth Step inventory: people towards whom I had resentments, real or imagined, and whom I had hurt by acts of retaliation. For my recovery to be thorough, I believed it was not important for those who had legitimately harmed me to make amends to me. What is important in my relationship with God is that I stand before Him, knowing I have done what I can to repair the damage I have done.

From the book Daily Reflections
Copyright © 1990 by Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc.

Big Book Quote

“My friend suggested what then seemed a novel idea. He said, ‘Why don’t you choose your own conception of God?’ That statement hit me hard. It melted the icy intellectual mountain in whose shadow I had lived and shivered many years. I stood in the
sunlight at last.

It was only a matter of being willing to believe in a Power greater than myself. Nothing more was required of me to make my beginning. I saw that growth could start from that point.”

~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, Bill’s Story, pg. 12~

Keep It Simple

The best side of a saloon is outside.—Anonymous

We need to stay away from places where we used to drink or use other drugs. Sometimes we need to stay away from our old using friends. But some days it’s hard to stay away. We remember the fun times. Or we want a quick fix for our problems. When we feel like this, we know something is wrong. We can call our sponsor and talk about it. And get to a meeting. We need to remember how much better our lives are now. We don’t want our old lives back.

Prayer for the Day:
Higher Power, help me stay away from trouble. Thanks for keeping me sober today.

Action for the Day:
Today, I’ll make a list of places that mean trouble for me—places I need to stay away from.

Daily Horoscope – Cancer

Your longings continue to intensify today, but you may be alienated because there’s little communication about your desires. You don’t mind if others are aware of your feelings; it’s just that you wish to avoid being the center of attention now. You prefer to make less waves and disappear into a group of like-minded friends than upset anyone with your needs that can’t easily be fulfilled. Mark Twain quipped, “Never tell the truth to people who are not worthy of it.”

Daily Recovery Readings for August 12, 2017:

Daily Reflection

A CLEAN SWEEP

. . . and third, having thus cleaned away the debris of the past, we consider how, with our newfound knowledge of ourselves, we may develop the best possible relations with every human being we know.

— TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 77

As I faced the Eighth Step, everything that was required for successful completion of the previous seven Steps came together: courage, honesty, sincerity, willingness and thoroughness, I could not muster the strength required for this task at the beginning, which is why this Step reads “Became willing. . . . ”

I needed to develop the courage to begin, the honesty to see where I was wrong, a sincere desire to set things right, thoroughness in making a list, and willingness to take the risks required for true humility. With the help of my Higher Power in developing these virtues, I completed this Step and continued to move forward in my quest for spiritual growth.

From the book Daily Reflections
Copyright © 1990 by Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc.

Big Book Quote

“You are going to meet these new friends in your own community. Near you, alcoholics are dying helplessly like people in a sinking ship. If you live in a large place, there are hundreds. High and low, rich and poor, these are future fellows of Alcoholics Anonymous. Among them you will make lifelong friends. You will be bound to them with new and wonderful ties, for you will escape disaster together and you will commence shoulder to shoulder your common journey. Then you will know what it means to give of yourself that others may survive and rediscover life. You will learn the full meaning of ‘Love thy neighbor as thyself.'”

~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, A Vision For You, pg. 152~

Keep It Simple

Once it[a spoken word] flies out, you can’t catch it. —Russian proverb

We’ve said many mean words. Our words often hurt the people we love. We can never really take back the words. But we’re learning now to speak with care . We know the words have a lot of power.

What do we say when we’re angry? When we want something? When we’re trying to be kind?

Now, think about this: people will remember out words. If we’re honest and careful in our speech, people will respect us. But if we say things to force our will, we may be sorry later.

Prayer for the Day:
Higher Power, speak through me today.

Action for the Day:
Today, I’ll ask one question of the person I love the most: “How have my words hurt you in the past?” Then I’ll talk with my sponsor about this.

Daily Horoscope – Cancer

You nostalgically long for a return to the days when you could idly pass the time doing as little as possible. Unfortunately, you may suddenly realize that daydreaming will not bring you the same results today as creating and executing an action plan. Thankfully, you can schedule some rest and relaxation later as long as you follow through and finish your regular chores first. Author Steve Maraboli wrote, “Your life begins to change the day you take responsibility for it.”

Daily Recovery Readings for August 12, 2017:

Daily Reflection

A LOOK BACKWARD

First, we take a look backward and try to discover where we have been at fault; next we make a vigorous attempt to repair the damage we have done; . . .

— TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 77

As a traveler on a fresh and exciting A.A. journey of recovery, I experienced a newfound peace of mind and the horizon appeared clear and bright, rather than obscure and dim. Reviewing my life to discover where I had been at fault seemed to be such an arduous and dangerous task. It was painful to pause and look backward. I was afraid I might stumble! Couldn’t I put the past out of my mind and just live in my new golden present? I realized that those in the past whom I had harmed stood between me and my desire to continue my movement toward serenity. I had to ask for courage to face those persons from my life who still lived in my conscience, to recognize and deal with the guilt that their presence produced in me. I had to look at the damage I had done, and become willing to make amends. Only then could my journey of the spirit resume.

From the book Daily Reflections
Copyright © 1990 by Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc.

Big Book Quote

“Some day we hope that Alcoholics Anonymous will help the public to a better realization of the gravity of the alcoholic problem, but we shall be of little use if our attitude is one of bitterness or hostility. Drinkers will not stand for it.

After all, our problems were of our own making. Bottles were only a symbol. Besides, we have stopped fighting anybody or anything. We have to!”

~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, Working With Others, pg. 103~

Keep It Simple

Fairness is what justice really is. —The last Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart

Some of us get hung up on what’s fair. We might feel, because we’ve worked hard to stay sober, we should be rewarded. We might keep score of what we get and what others get. And we complain if it’s “not fair.”

Maybe we should be glad life isn’t fair. Why? Most of us caused a lot of trouble we’ve never had to pay for. And we’ve hurt a lot of people who haven’t gotten even. Would we really want life to be fair?

Our Higher Power isn’t fair either. That is, our Higher Power doesn’t keep score. Our Higher Power doesn’t try to get even. Our Higher Power is loving and forgiving, no matter what. Our Higher Power has the same love and help for everyone.

Prayer for the Day:
Higher Power, give me the wisdom to stop keeping score. Help me want the best for everyone.

Action for the Day:
I’ll list five times I’ve been unfair to others. Do I need to make amends?

Daily Horoscope – Cancer

You may revisit an unfinished conversation with a friend in order to clear up a lingering misunderstanding. At first, the tension increases as you talk, making you question the wisdom of your actions. Emotions can become heated because your perspectives are so different. In fact, winning an argument is an unrealistic goal today. However, acknowledging one another’s positions can be healing, even if resolution is elusive. The Dalai Lama said, “Compassion is the radicalism of our time.”

Daily Recovery Readings for August 11, 2017:

Daily Reflection

REMOVING “THE GROUND GLASS”

The moral inventory is a cool examination of the damages that occurred to us during life and a sincere effort to look at them in a true perspective. This has the effect of taking the ground glass out of us, the emotional substance that still cuts and inhibits.

— AS BILL SEES IT, p. 140

My Eighth Step list used to drag me into a whirlpool of resentment. After four years of sobriety, I was blocked by denial connected with an ongoing abusive relationship. The argument between fear and pride eased as the words of the Step moved from my head to my heart. For the first time in years, I opened my box of paints and poured out an honest rage, an explosion of reds and blacks and yellows. As I looked at the drawing, tears of joy and relief flowed down my cheeks. In my disease, I had given up my art, a self-inflicted punishment far greater than any imposed from outside. In my recovery, I learned that the pain of my defects is the very substance God uses to cleanse my character and to set me free.

From the book Daily Reflections
Copyright © 1990 by Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc.

Big Book Quote

“We are like the passengers of a great liner the moment after rescue from shipwreck when camaraderie, joyousness, and democracy pervade the vessel from steerage to Captain’s table. Unlike the feelings of the ship’s passengers, however, our joy in escape from disaster does not subside as we go our individual ways. The feeling of having shared in a common peril is one element in the powerful cement which binds us. But that in itself would never have held us together as we are now joined.”

~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, There Is A Solution, pg. 17~

Keep It Simple

The trouble with the rat race is that even if you win you’re still a rat.-— Lily Tomlin

Alcoholism is rat race. Drug addiction is a rat race. We were always trying to keep one or two steps ahead of the cat. We were always sneaking around, and everyone was disgusted with us.

Our goal in recovery is stop acting like a rat and join the human race again. Recovery teaches us sayings like Easy Does It and One Day At a Time. Our sayings remind us to pace ourselves. Our sayings remind us that healing takes time.

We live by human values: honesty, respect from others, fairness, openness, self-respect. We work at just being ourselves. We learn that this is enough. We are enough.

Prayer for the Day:
Higher Power, help me accept my humanness. I am part of the human race, not the rat race.

Action for the Day:
Just for today, I’ll pace myself. I’ll list ways I often go to fast for my own good. I’ll ask friends how they pace themselves.

Daily Horoscope – Cancer

You want to make life easier for those you love, but sometimes your professional responsibilities get in the way. The spontaneous Aries Moon floods your 10th House of Career, shifting your attention to the larger issue of whether or not to reveal your feelings on the job. There are two distinct schools of thought; some say keep your personal business out of the workplace and others advise you to bring your whole self into the office. Ultimately, the choice is yours. Tycoon Richard Branson wrote, “Engage your emotions at work. Your instincts and emotions are there to help you.”

Daily Recovery Readings for August 10, 2017:

Daily Reflection

REDOUBLING OUR EFFORTS

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,

— TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 77

As I continue to grow in sobriety, I become more aware of myself as a person of worth. In the process, I am better able to see others as persons, and with this comes the realization that these were people whom I had hurt in my drinking days. I didn’t just lie, I lied about Tom. I didn’t just cheat, I cheated Joe. What were seemingly impersonal acts, were really personal affronts, because it was people—people of worth—whom I had harmed. I need to do something about the people I have hurt so that I may enjoy a peaceful sobriety.

From the book Daily Reflections
Copyright © 1990 by Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc.

Big Book Quote

“In our belief any scheme of combating alcoholism which proposes to shield the sick man from temptation is doomed to failure. If the alcoholic tries to shield himself he may  succeed  or a time, but usually winds up with a bigger explosion than ever. We have tried these  methods. These attempts to do the impossible have always failed.”

~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, Working With Others, pg. 101~

Keep It Simple

There are time we must grab God’s and walk forward.— Anonymous

Sometimes we struggle with being part of the problem, instead of being part of the solution.

Inside we know this, but somehow we can’t Let Go and Let God.

To let go takes faith that the outcome will be okay. When we have faith, we know our Higher Power believes in us and will guide us. When we have faith, we believe in ourselves.

When we let go, we let go of our need to always be right. Letting go first takes place on the inside. Letting go allows us to change how we view what’s happening. Often, all we really need is this change of attitude. This is the beauty of faith: it allows us to see the same thing in different ways.

Prayer for the Day:
Higher Power, permit me to let go. Let me see that believing in You must also mean believing in myself.

Action for the Day:
I will review my life since entering the Twelve Step program. I will work at seeing what good partners my Higher Power and I make.

Daily Horoscope – Cancer

Your uncertainty is more of an asset today than a liability because it encourages you to keep your heart open. You don’t normally ask for other people’s input when you already have all the answers. Fortunately, your friends may be instrumental in helping you gain the clarity you seek. Sharing your hopes for the future is fine, but don’t turn it into such a big deal that you forget about the here and now. Buddhist teacher Thich Nhat Hanh says, “The present moment is the only moment available to us, and it is the door to all moments.”

Daily Recovery Readings for August 9, 2017:

Daily Reflection

“. . . OF ALL PERSONS WE HAD HARMED”

. . . and became willing to make amends to them all. 

— TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 77

One of the key words in the Eighth Step is the word all. I am not free to select a few names for the list and to disregard others. It is a list of all persons I have harmed. I can see immediately that this Step entails forgiveness because if I’m not willing to forgive someone, there is little chance I will place his name on the list. Before I placed the first name on my list, I said a little prayer: “I forgive anyone and everyone who has ever harmed me at any time and under any circumstances.”

It is well for me to contemplate a small, but very significant, two-letter word every time the Lord’s Prayer is said. The word is as. I ask, “Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.” In this case, as means, “in the same manner.” I am asking to be forgiven in the same manner that I forgive others. As I say this portion of the prayer, if I am harboring hatred or resentment, I am inviting more resentment, when I should be calling on the spirit of forgiveness.

From the book Daily Reflections
Copyright © 1990 by Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc.

Big Book Quote

“We usually conclude the period of meditation with a prayer that we be shown all through the day what our next step is to be, that we be given whatever we need to take care of such problems. We ask especially for freedom from self-will, and are careful to make no request for ourselves only. We may ask for ourselves, however, if others will be helped. We are careful never to pray for our own selfish ends. Many of us have wasted a lot of time doing that and it doesn’t work.”

~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, Into Action, pg. 87~

Keep It Simple

If there is no wind, row.—Latin proverb

At times, staying sober will be easy; at other times, it will be hard. But we must do what is needed to stay sober. Having a hard week? Go to extra meetings. Feeling alone? Call a friend and ask if you can get together. Feel like drinking? Go to a safe place until the urge passes.

We have no choice. We must row when there’s no wind. If not, we’ll fall back into our addiction.

If we work hard, we’ll stay sober. Plus we’ll grow as spiritual people. Hard times test us and make better people. But this will only happen if we keep our Higher Power and our program close to our heart.

Prayer for the Day:
Higher Power, help me remember that I grow during hard times. I pray that I’ll accept and use what You’ve given me each day.

Action for the Day:
Today, I’ll list five things I learned from my program in hard times.

Daily Horoscope – Cancer

Your long-term plans may require revision because your initial assumptions now seem to be wrong. Thankfully, your imagination is running at warp speed, sparking your brain with amazing ideas. Unfortunately, it’s not easy to get a thought to hang around long enough to grow into a real plan. Nevertheless, you’re up for the challenge, even if the odds seem stacked against you. Islamic scholar Hamza Yusuf wrote, “The reality of things is hidden in the realm of the unseen.”

Daily Recovery Readings for August 8, 2017:

Daily Reflection

“MADE A LIST . . .”

Made a list of all persons we had harmed, . . .

— TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 77

When I approached the Eighth Step, I wondered how I could list all the things that I have done to other people since there were so many people, and some of them weren’t alive anymore. Some of the hurts I inflicted weren’t bad, but they really bothered me. The main thing to see in this Step was to become willing to do whatever I had to do to make these amends to the best of my ability at that particular time. Where there is a will, there’s a way, so if I want to feel better, I need to unload the guilt feelings I have. A peaceful mind has no room for feelings of guilt. With the help of my Higher Power, if I am honest with myself, I can cleanse my mind of these feelings.

From the book Daily Reflections
Copyright © 1990 by Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc.

Big Book Quote

“We realized that the people who wronged us were perhaps spiritually sick. Though we did not like their symptoms and the way these disturbed us, they, like ourselves, were sick too. We asked God to help us show them the same tolerance, pity, and patience that we would cheerfully grant a sick friend. When a person offended we said to ourselves, ‘This is a sick man. How can I be helpful to him? God save me from being angry. Thy will be done.'”

~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, How It Works, pg. 66~

Keep It Simple

Adventure is not outside a man; it is within.—David Grayson

Sobriety. It’s an exciting adventure. It’s a spiritual adventure. We look inward. We find where our Higher Power lives: within us. We then reach outward. We share our joy with others. Not with words and preaching, but by trying to help others. Sobriety is faith turned into action.

Sobriety. It’s an adventure in coming to know one’s self. At times, we’ll have to face our fears. But we’ll also find just how much love we have for life.

Sobriety. It’s as if we’re on a trip. Our Higher Power holds the map. Our job is to listen. And we go in the direction we’re told.

Prayer for the Day:
I pray to be an adventurer. Higher Power, I pray to follow Your direction.

Action for the Day:
I’ll ask some friends to tell me about an adventure their Higher Power has taken them on.

Daily Horoscope – Cancer

Although you might have a day packed with work-related activities, it’s imperative to find time to take care of yourself. The Moon’s current visit to your 8th House of Regeneration inspires you to revitalize your body, reinvigorate your routines and reinvent your life. However, none of these things will magically happen on their own. You need to step in with your intentions at the forefront of your activities. And, more than ever, you must find joy in the journey and passion in your purpose.