Daily Recovery Readings for August 30, 2017:

Daily Reflection

A UNIQUE PROGRAM

Alcoholics Anonymous will never have a professional class. We have gained some understanding of the ancient words “Freely ye have received, freely give.” We have discovered that at the point of professionalism, money and spirituality do not mix.

— TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 166

I believe that Alcoholics Anonymous stands alone in the treatment of alcoholism because it is based solely on the principle of one alcoholic sharing with another alcoholic. This is what makes the program unique. When I decided that I wanted to stay sober, I called a woman who I knew was a sober member of A.A., and she carried the message of Alcoholics Anonymous to me. She received no monetary compensation but rather was paid by staying sober another day herself. Today I could ask for no payment other than another day free from alcohol, so in that respect, I am generously paid for my labor.

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

Big Book Quote

“We think it no concern of ours what religious bodies our members identify themselves with as individuals. This should be an entirely personal affair which each one decides for himself in the light of past associations, or his present choice.”

~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, There Is A Solution, pg. 28~

Keep It Simple

One must never, for whatever reason, turn his back on life. —Eleanor Roosevelt

We’re going to have tough times. Maybe we don’t get a pay raise. Maybe we get fired. Whatever happens, don’t use alcohol or other drugs. Whatever happens, keep working the program. Our program will never turn its back on us. When tough times come, we can always turn to our meetings and sponsors. We’re lucky because we don’t have to face hard times alone. We have no reason to give up because our program will never give up.

So, pull closer to your program when times get tough. Call a friend and talk about your problems. Take in an extra meeting. All of this keeps us from turning our backs on life.

Prayer for the Day:
Higher Power, help me believe that tough times are a chance to get closer to You.

Action for the Day:
The program will always be there for me in tough times. Today, I’ll make a list of what to do to stay sober when tough times come. I’ll put the list in my Big Book.

Daily Horoscope – Cancer

You are one-half of a partnership that is requiring you to show up in ways that are taxing your patience. Perhaps you are not as motivated to achieve worldly success as someone assumed. Or maybe your significant other seems more ambitious than you while the calculating Capricorn Moon visits your 7th House of Others. Don’t worry about your different work styles today. Honor the nurturing perspective you bring to the table because it helps to balance the pragmatic nature of your work. Collaboration divides the task and multiplies the success.

Daily Recovery Readings for August 30, 2017:

Daily Reflection

THE ONLY REQUIREMENT . . .

“At one time . . . every A.A. group had many membership rules. Everybody was scared witless that something or somebody would capsize the boat. . . .The total list was a mile long. If all those rules had been in effect everywhere, nobody could have possibly joined A.A. at all, . . .”

— TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, pp. 139-40

I’m grateful that the Third Tradition only requires of me a desire to stop drinking. I had been breaking promises for years. In the Fellowship I didn’t have to make promises, I didn’t have to concentrate. It only required my attending one meeting, in a foggy condition, to know I was home. I didn’t have to pledge undying love. Here, strangers hugged me. “It gets better,” they said, and “One day at a time, you can do it.” They were no longer strangers, but caring friends. I ask God to help me to reach out to people desiring sobriety, and to, please, keep me grateful!

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

Big Book Quote

“We have seen the truth demonstrated again and again: ‘Once an alcoholic, always an alcoholic.’ Commencing to drink after a period of sobriety, we are in a short time as bad as ever.”

~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, More About Alcoholism, pg. 33~

Keep It Simple

Love is something if you give away, you end up having more. — Malvina Reynolds

Service is how we give love away. It’s the “self” of self-help. Service is not a duty; a gift that’s been given to us. We help ourselves by helping others. It’s how we make sure the program will be here tomorrow. We “carry the message.” It’s just one way we see how important we are to others. The world needs us. The world needs our love.

Prayer for the Day:
I pray for help in making service a big part of my program. Higher Power, help me to “carry the message.”

Action for the Day:
Which people could use a kind word and a little love? I will go visit them or give them a call.

Daily Horoscope – Cancer

You’re unhappy with your schedule today, because there seems to be very little flexibility when it comes to your work. Your boss has given you specific deadlines when each part of the project must be complete. Although your trajectory was on target, something happens out of the blue and might set your progress back a bit. Your overall agenda is being rewritten and you have neither the initiative nor the stamina to follow it in detail. Clear your mind with a quick walk or a three-minute meditation. Resiliency is your friend.

Daily Recovery Readings for August 28, 2017:

Daily Reflection

I CHOOSE ANONYMITY

We are sure that humility, expressed by anonymity, is the greatest safeguard that Alcoholics Anonymous can ever have.

— TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 187

Since there are no rules in A.A. I place myself where I want to be, and so I choose anonymity. I want my God to use me, humbly, as one of His tools in this program. Sacrifice is the art of giving of myself freely, allowing humility to replace my ego. With sobriety, I suppress that urge to cry out to the world, “I am a member of A.A.” and I experience inner joy and peace. I let people see the changes in me and hope they will ask what happened to me. I place the principles of spirituality ahead of judging, fault-finding, and criticism. I want love and caring in my group, so I can grow.
From the book Daily Reflections
Copyright © 1990 by Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc.

Big Book Quote

“We have no monopoly on God; we merely have an approach that worked with us.”

~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, Working With Others, pg. 95~

Keep It Simple

This day I choose to spend in perfect peace. — A Course in Miracles

Today, let’s be gentle and kind. Lets talk to ourselves with love and respect. Let’s be gentle with others too.

Today, let’s be clear in how we think, speak, and act. And if we start to get mixed up, let’s stop thinking and listen for our Higher Power’s voice.

Today, we know that we have just a small job to do. It is to live today with love in our heart. We can’t take care of every problem in the world. But we make our actions today part of the answer instead of the part of the problem. Let’s Keep It Simple.

Prayer for the Day: Higher Power, help me find Your calmness and peace in my heart today.

Action for the Day: Do I believe that peace starts with me? Today, I’ll listen to the simple voice of peace inside of me. And I’ll Keep It Simple.

Daily Horoscope – Cancer

Every little challenge seems like a great adventure today, and you’re eager to see where each one takes you. You have little doubt that you can accomplish your goals on the job, especially since your optimism is supported by your mental acuity. But don’t get too cocky with your promises; there’s probably more work now than you estimated. Pace yourself and you could surprise everyone with how much you finish in just one day. Google co-founder Larry Page says, “Always deliver more than expected.”

Daily Recovery Readings for August 28, 2017:

Daily Reflection

LIGHTENING THE BURDEN

Showing others who suffer how we were given help is the very thing which makes life seem so worth while to us now. . . . the dark past is . . . the key to life and happiness for others.

— ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 124

Since I have been sober, I have been healed of many pains: deceiving my partner, deserting my best friend, and spoiling my mother’s hopes for my life. In each case someone in the program told me of a similar problem, and I was able to share what happened to me. When my story was told, both of us got up with lighter hearts.

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

Big Book Quote

“We have no monopoly on God; we merely have an approach that worked with us.”

~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, Working With Others, pg. 95~

Keep It Simple

The saints are the sinners who kept going.—Robert Louis Stevenson

The saints are what our program calls the “winner.” We’re told to “stick” with the winners. Saints are just proven winners. They keep on believing in their Higher Power even when things get hard.

There will be times when we’ll want to give up. We may want to stop going to meetings. We may want to get high. We may want to stop working the Steps.

To be winners in this program, we need to follow the example of the saints. This means we live a spiritual life. We need to keep on going. One day at a time.

Prayer for the Day:
I pray that I’ll be a winner in this program. Higher Power, be with me in the easy times and the hard times. Help me keep going.

Action for the Day:
I’ll list people who are winners in this program. I’ll ask one of the how he or she keeps going in tough times.

Daily Horoscope – Cancer

Resolving a misunderstanding between you and a close friend is at the top of your list today. At first, you seem to be all over the map but your position becomes clear as you continue to talk. Perhaps your windup is slow, but your pitch is fast and smooth once you have an engaged audience. But don’t overstay your welcome; say what you must and then respectfully bow out. Rest assured your words will have their intended impact, but it might take time for your message to sink in. James N. Watkins wrote, “A river cuts through rock, not because of its power, but because of its persistence.”

Daily Recovery Readings for August 27, 2017:

Daily Reflection

CENTERING OUR THOUGHTS

When World War II broke out, our A.A. dependence on a Higher Power had its first major test. A.A.’s entered the services and were scattered all over the world. Would they be able to take the discipline, stand up under fire, and endure . . . ?

— AS BILL SEES IT, p. 200

I will center my thoughts on a Higher Power. I will surrender all to this power within me. I will become a soldier for this power, feeling the might of the spiritual army as it exists in my life today. I will allow a wave of spiritual union to connect me through my gratitude, obedience and discipline to this Higher Power. Let me allow this power to lead me through the orders of the day. May the steps I take today strengthen my words and deeds, may I know that the message I carry is mine to share, given freely by this power greater than myself.

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

Big Book Quote

“Neither could we reduce our self-centeredness much by wishing or trying on our own power. We had to have God’s help.”

Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, How It Works, pg. 62

Keep It Simple

Things do not change, we do. —Henry David Thoreau

There are still as many bars as there were when we were drinking. There are still lots of drugs around. The world hasn’t changed. What’s changed is that we now live a different way of life.

We’ve learned that, for us, alcohol and other drugs are poison.

For us, there are now two worlds: the world we left behind, and our new world of recovery. In our old world, we’d try to get everyone else to change. We had the right. In our new world, we look for ways we can change for the better. In our new life, we’re willing to change.

Prayer for the Day:
I pray that I may be like a mighty river, always changing.

Action for the Day:
I will list changes I need to make in my new life.

Daily Horoscope – Cancer

Your feelings are running fiercely strong today, like an ocean current that is cutting a deep channel. People who don’t know you well might think you’re shy, but you’re holding back your emotions because they are powerful enough now to sweep others off their feet. However, you’re willing to share your desires and fears with someone who can meet you in those deeper waters without needing a flotation device. Joseph Campbell wrote, “The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure that you seek.”

Daily Recovery Readings for August 26, 2017:

Daily Reflection

GIVING IT AWAY

“Though they knew they must help other alcoholics if they would remain sober, that motive became secondary. It was transcended by the happiness they found in giving themselves to others.”  ~Alcoholics Anonymous, p.159

Those words, for me, refer to a transference of power, through which God, as I understand Him, enters my life. Through prayer and meditation, I open channels, then I establish and improve my conscious contact with God. Through action I then receive the power I need to maintain my sobriety each day. By maintaining my spiritual condition, by giving away what has been freely given to me, I am granted a daily reprieve.

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

Big Book Quote

“We commenced to make many fast friends and a fellowship has grown up among us of which it is a wonderful thing to feel a part. The joy of living we really have, even under pressure and difficulty.”

~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, Bill’s Story, pg. 15~

Keep It Simple

THINK —Alcoholics Anonymous slogan

Now that we’re recovering, our minds are free. We can think. When we are faced with problems or choices, we can do this:

Ask, “What is the problem?”

Make a list of what we can do to work on the problem.

Decide which of the actions on our list might work.

Pick the action that seems the best so far.

Ask ourselves, “Can I do it? Will I do it? If not, it’s not a good plan.

Talk to our sponsor if we need help thinking it out.

Do it.

Look back on it. Did it work? If not, go back and try something else.

Prayer for the Day:
Higher Power, help me to think well. Help me to see things clearly.

Action for the Day:
Today, I’ll use the points listed above to help me think about a choice I have to make.

Daily Horoscope – Cancer

Your senses are particularly sharp today, enabling you to tell the difference between acceptable and extraordinary. For example, some people might not notice, but you can discern the nuances between food that tastes good and an epicurean delight. You’re willing to spend more time or money to create the most memorable experience possible now. After all, the ones you love deserve the very best, and so do you. Gordon B. Hinckley wrote, “Mediocrity will never do. You are capable of something better.”

Daily Recovery Readings for August 25, 2017:

Daily Reflection

THE GIFT OF BONDING

“Relieve me of the bondage of self, that I may better do Thy will.” ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS , p. 63

Many times in my alcoholic state, I drank to establish a bond between myself and others, but I succeeded only in establishing the bondage of alcoholic loneliness. Through the A.A. way of life, I have received the gift of bonding – with those who were there before me, with those who are there now, and with those yet to come. For this gracious gift from God, I am forever grateful.

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

Big Book Quote

“Without knowing it, had we not been brought to where we stood by a certain kind of faith? For did we not believe in our own reasoning? Did we not have confidence in our ability to think? What was that but a sort of faith? Yes, we had been faithful, abjectly faithful to the God of Reason. So, in one way or another, we discovered that faith had been involved all the time!”

~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, We Agnostics, pg. 53~

Keep It Simple

In every real man a child is hidden that wants to play.—Friedrick Nietzsche

All of us have a child inside. We may see that child as a friend or as a enemy. Many of us were taught that growing up meant doing away with our inner child. It was as if being a child was bad and being an adult was good. If we try to be only an adult, the child cries, ”Let me run free and show you the beauty of the world.” If we try to be only a child, we find the adult in using us saying, “It’s time to grow up.”

Let’s find a balance. Remember, the adult needs the wonder found in the eyes of the child. Remember, the child needs the loving care of the adult. The child lives where we find our spirit. Our Higher Power is the prefect balance of the two.

Prayer for the Day:
Higher Power, help me be both the child and the adult. I need both.

Action for the Day:
Today, I’ll make time to be a child and to be an adult.

Daily Horoscope – Cancer

Frustration sets in when you feel as if you’re at the end of your rope. It’s a tough position, but you realize there is nowhere productive to go from here. Instead of setting new goals now, retrace your steps until you rediscover your center. You can go pretty much anywhere once you reestablish your equilibrium. Never underestimate your strength; never overestimate your weakness.

Daily Recovery Readings for August 24, 2017:

Daily Reflection

A RIDDLE THAT WORKS

It may be possible to find explanations of spiritual experiences such as ours, but I have often tried to explain my own and have succeeded only in giving the story of it. I know the feeling it gave me and the results it has brought, but I realize I may never fully understand its deeper why and how.

— AS BILL SEES IT, p. 313

I had a profound spiritual experience during an open A.A. meeting, which led me to blurt out, “I’m an alcoholic!” I have not had a drink since that day. I can tell you the words I heard just prior to my admission, and how those words affected me, but as to why it happened, I do not know. I believe a power greater than myself chose me to recover, yet I do not know why. I try not to worry or wonder about what I do not yet know; instead, I trust that if I continue to work the Steps, practice the A.A. principles in my life, and share my story, I will be guided lovingly toward a deep and mature spirituality in which more will be revealed to me. For the time being, it is a gift for me to trust God, work the Steps and help others.

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

Big Book Quote

“…we tried to shape a sane and sound ideal for our future sex life. We subjected each relation to this test – was it selfish or not? We asked God to mold our ideals and help us to live up to them. We remembered always that our sex powers were God-given and therefore good, neither to be used lightly or selfishly nor to be despised and
loathed.”

Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, How It Works, pg. 69

Keep It Simple

To love oneself is the beginning of a lifelong romance. Oscar Wilde

There’s a big difference between being self-centered and having self love. We’re self-centered when we think we don’t need people. We might think, “I’m more important than others.” Being self-centered ends up hurting us.

It makes us lonely. It keeps us from our Higher Power. Addiction is about being self-centered.
Recovery and the Twelve Steps are about self-love. If we love ourselves, we say, “We’re all equal and in need of each other.” Self-love includes having good relationships.

It includes trusting that they we’ll do what is best, with the help of our Higher Power. We must believe in ourselves to trust others.

Prayer for the Day:
Higher Power, help me love myself as You love me. Help me take good care of myself.

Action for the Day:
Today, I’ll list three things I like about myself. I’ll talk with a friend and share these things. I’ll ask my friend what he or she likes about me.

Daily Horoscope – Cancer

Everyone has different work styles — and yours may be meticulous and methodical today. You need extra assurances that everything will be done on time because it’s difficult to take people at their word when their behavior is so erratic. You expect others to fulfill their promises but are unsure of their intentions since they don’t seem as committed to the goals of the group now. Nevertheless, you might be pleasantly surprised when everything comes together at the last minute. Ernest Hemingway said, “The best way to find out if you can trust somebody is to trust them.”

Daily Recovery Readings for August 23, 2017:

Daily Reflection

BRINGING THE MESSAGE HOME

Can we bring the same spirit of love and tolerance into our sometimes deranged family lives that we bring to our A.A. group?

— TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, pp.111-12

My family members suffer from the effects of my disease. Loving and accepting them as they are just as I love and accept A.A. members—fosters a return of love, tolerance and harmony to my life. Using common courtesy and respecting others’ personal boundaries are necessary practices for all areas of my life.

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

Big Book Quote

“Though there is no way of proving it, we believe that early in our drinking careers most of us could have stopped drinking. But the difficulty is that few alcoholics have enough desire to stop while there is yet time.”

Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, More About Alcoholism, pg. 32

Keep It Simple

Where there is no vision, a people perish.—Ralph Waldo Emerson

Working our program teaches us to see things more clearly. We learn to look at who we really are. At first, we’re scared to see ourselves. But it turns out okay, even though were not perfect.

We also begin to see others more clearly. We see good in people we don’t like. And we see faults in people we thought we’re prefect. But we don’t judge people anymore. Nobody is perfect. Just as our program friends accept us as we are, we learn to accept others.

Prayer for the Day:
Higher Power, sometimes I don’t like what I see. Help me to believe Your way will for me. Help me have a vision.

Action for the Day:
I will use my new way of seeing thing to avoid trouble today.

Daily Horoscope – Cancer

Replaying experiences with your siblings or childhood friends within the safety of your own mind can open the door to a cascade of memories. There is so much raw material feeding your soul today, you may have trouble sorting through all the special moments that vividly rush back to life. Thankfully, revisiting your past can bring happiness to your heart now. Owens Lee Pomeroy quipped, “Nostalgia is like a grammar lesson: you find the present tense, but the past perfect!”

Daily Recovery Readings for August 22, 2017:

Daily Reflection

SEEKING EMOTIONAL STABILITY

When we developed still more, we discovered the best possible source of emotional stability to be God Himself. We found that dependence upon His perfect justice, forgiveness, and love was healthy, and that it would work where nothing else would. If we really depended upon God, we couldn’t very well play God to our fellows nor would we feel the urge wholly to rely on human protection and care.

— TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 116

All my life I depended on people for my emotional needs and security, but today I cannot live that way anymore. By the grace of God, I have admitted my powerlessness over people, places and things. I had been a real “people addict”; wherever I went there had to be someone who would pay some kind of attention to me. It was the kind of attitude that could only get worse, because the more I depended on others and demanded attention, the less I received.

I have given up believing that any human power can relieve me of that empty feeling. Although I remain a fragile human being who needs to work A.A.’s Steps to keep this particular principle before my personality, it is only a loving God who can give me inner peace and emotional stability.

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

Big Book Quote

“Besides a seeming inability to accept much on faith, we often found ourselves handicapped by obstinacy, sensitiveness, and unreasoning prejudice. Many of us have been so touchy that even casual reference to spiritual things make us bristle with antagonism. This sort of thinking had to be abandoned. Though some of us resisted, we found no great difficulty in casting aside such feelings. Faced with alcoholic destruction, we soon became as open minded on spiritual matters as we had tried to be on other questions. In this respect alcohol was a great persuader. It finally beat us into a state of reasonableness.”

~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, We Agnostics, pg. 47~

Keep It Simple

It’s a rare person who wants to hear what we doesn’t want to hear.—Dick Cavett

We want only to hear good thins. That we’re nice people. That our loved ones are healthy.

That we did a good job. We don’t want to hear that anyone is angry with us, or that we made a mistake. We don’t want to hear about illness or troubles.

But life isn’t just happy news. Bad things happen. We can’t change that. As we live our recovery program, we learn to handle the addiction. We choose the path of life. We need to know all the news, good, and bad. Then we can deal with life as it really is.

Prayer for the Day: Higher Power, help me listen—even when I don’t want to. Gently help me deal with both the good and bad. All the help I need is mine for the asking.

Action for the Day: I will ask my sponsor and three friends to tell me about my blind spots.

Daily Horoscope – Cancer

Concentrating on mundane matters all but ensures positive results today. Whether you’re paying bills, cleaning your office or simply making a to-do list, focus on the details. Leaving no stone unturned cultivates success, especially when it comes to financial issues. But this is not the time to get lost in dreams of material wealth; aim your attention sharply at the present moment. President Theodore Roosevelt said, “Be practical as well as generous in your ideals. Keep your eyes on the stars, but remember to keep your feet on the ground.”