Daily Recovery Readings for July 27, 2017:

Daily Reflection

GIVING FREELY

We will make every personal sacrifice necessary to insure the unity of Alcoholics Anonymous. We will do this because we have learned to love God and one another.

— A.A. comes of age, p. 234

To be self-supporting through my own contributions was never a strong characteristic during my days as a practicing alcoholic. The giving of time or money always demanded a price tag.

As a newcomer I was told “we have to give it away in order to keep it.” As I began to adopt the principles of Alcoholics Anonymous in my life, I soon found it was a privilege to give to the Fellowship as an expression of the gratitude I felt in my heart. My love of God and of others became the motivating factor in my life, with no thought of return. I realize now that giving freely is God’s way of expressing Himself through me.

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

Big Book Quote

“Men and women drink essentially because they like the effect produced by alcohol. The sensation is so elusive that, while they admit it is injurious, they cannot after a time differentiate the true from the false. To them, their alcoholic life seems the only normal one. They are restless, irritable and discontented, unless they can again experience the sense of ease and comfort which comes at once by taking a few drinks—, drinks which they see others taking with impunity.”

~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, The Doctor’s Opinion, pg. xxviii~

Keep It Simple

To enjoy freedom, we have to control ourselves. Virginia Woolf

Freedom is a funny thing, in a way, it makes life harder. We are free to do what we want but every choice makes a difference in our lives. Some choices make us happy and some bring trouble.

We can make good choices. We can control our actions. We can start by having control in little ways: follow the law, pay the rent, and make the bed every day. These choices put order in our lives. Eat right, exercise, and get enough sleep. These choices make us strong enough to live each day to the fullest.

These kinds of choices set us free.

Prayer for the day:
Higher Power, I was drinking and drugging. I couldn’t enjoy my freedom. I had no control over the little things in my life. Help me stay sober today.

Action for the day:
Today, I’ll be grateful for having some control. I will list five way I am more free because I can control my actions.

Daily Horoscope – Cancer

You feel quite magnanimous toward your friends and family, often going out of your way to shower them with praise or gifts. However, you could be generous to a fault today, giving so much that you leave little left over for your own needs. Self-improvement can be just as important now as doing good deeds. Ultimately, finding the balance between caring for yourself and loving others is a never-ending dance. Colonel William Prescott wrote, “Self-interest, be it enlightened, works indirectly for the public good.”

Daily Recovery Readings for July 26, 2017:

Daily Reflection

THE “WORTH” OF SOBRIETY

Every A.A. group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions.

— TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 160

When I go shopping I look at the prices and if I need what I see, I buy it and pay. Now that I am supposed to be in rehabilitation, I have to straighten out my life. When I go to a meeting, I take a coffee with sugar and milk, sometimes more than one. But at the collection time, I am either too busy to take money out of my purse, or I do not have enough, but I am there because I need this meeting. I heard someone suggest dropping the price of a beer into the basket, and I thought, that’s too much! I almost never give one dollar. Like many others, I rely on the more generous members to finance the Fellowship. I forget that it takes money to rent the meeting room, buy my milk, sugar and cups. I will pay, without hesitation, ninety cents for a cup of coffee at a restaurant after the meeting; I always have money for that. So, how much is my sobriety and my inner peace worth?

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

Big Book Quote

“To sum up about sex: We earnestly pray for the right ideal, for guidance in each  questionable situation, for sanity, and for the strength to do the right thing. If sex is very troublesome, we throw ourselves the harder into helping others. We think of their needs and work for them. This takes us out of ourselves. It quiets the imperious urge, when to yield would mean heartache.”

~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, How It Works, pg. 70~

Keep It Simple

I was never less alone when by myself.—Edward Gibson

To stay in this program, we need to accept that we have an illness. We need to accept that we were
out of control. And we need to accept that we need others and they need us. At times, we won’t want to accept these facts. We will want to deny we have an illness and our lives were out of control.

Many of us get into trouble when we don’t accept that we need others. This is why helping others is so important. It teaches us that we need others, and others need us. By helping others, we learn about the give-and-take of human relationships. There is no give-an-take in addiction. There is just take. Now, finally, we can give too!

Prayer for the Day:
I pray to remember that I need other people.

Action for the Day:
Today, I’ll help out. I will make coffee at the next meeting or offer to do the Step next week. I will let a fellow addict know I’m glad he or she is sober.

Daily Horoscope – Cancer

Take full responsibility for your body today, but don’t just run to the internet to search for the latest-breaking news story about another amazing elixir. Seriously reassess what you can do to improve your physical endurance and cultivate healing. Forget about discovering a magical fix; healthy changes to your diet and lifestyle will positively impact your well-being. Set yourself up for maximum success by starting with small but significant steps, building from this foundation as you begin to see tangible results. Desiderius Erasmus wrote, “Prevention is better than cure.”

Daily Recovery Readings for July 25, 2017:

Daily Reflection

THOSE WHO STILL SUFFER

For us, if we neglect those who are still sick, there is unremitting
danger to our own lives and sanity.

TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 151

I know the torment of drinking compulsively to quiet my nerves and
my fears. I also know the pain of white-knuckled sobriety. Today, I
do not forget the unknown person who suffers quietly, withdrawn and
hiding in the desperate relief of drinking. I ask my Higher Power to
give me His guidance and the courage to be willing to be His
instrument to carry within me compassion and unselfish actions. Let
the group continue to give me the strength to do with others what I
cannot do alone.

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

Big Book Quote

“Liquor ceased to be a luxury; it became a necessity.”

~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, Bill’s Story, pg. 5~

Keep It Simple

If the spirit within us withers (dies), so to will all the world we build around us.—Theodore Roszab
This is what happened during our illness—our spirits were dying. Our relationships were dying. this is because addiction is death.
And recovery is life! The Steps breathe like into us. Our groups breathe life into us. We start to heal because we once again feel hope. We’re less afraid of what tomorrow may bring. As our hope grows, others feel it too.
We’re starting to slowly rebuild our world. We’re building our world on the Twelve Steps and their message of hope.
Prayer for the Day: I give myself to life. Higher Power, work with me as I rebuild my world.
Action for the Day: I’ll talk with a friend about hope. I’ll see my hope as a sign of how close I am to my program.

Daily Horoscope – Cancer

If the spirit within us withers (dies), so to will all the world we build around us.—Theodore Roszab
This is what happened during our illness—our spirits were dying. Our relationships were dying. this is because addiction is death.
And recovery is life! The Steps breathe like into us. Our groups breathe life into us. We start to heal because we once again feel hope. We’re less afraid of what tomorrow may bring. As our hope grows, others feel it too.
We’re starting to slowly rebuild our world. We’re building our world on the Twelve Steps and their message of hope.
Prayer for the Day: I give myself to life. Higher Power, work with me as I rebuild my world.
Action for the Day: I’ll talk with a friend about hope. I’ll see my hope as a sign of how close I am to my program.

Daily Recovery Readings for July 23, 2017:

Daily Reflection

HELPING OTHERS

Our very lives, as ex-problem drinkers, depend upon our constant thought of others and how we may help meet their needs.
— ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 20

Self-centeredness was my problem. All my life people had been doing things for me and I not only expected it, but I was ungrateful and resentful they didn’t do more. Why should I help others, when they were supposed to help me? If others had troubles, didn’t they deserve them? I was filled with self-pity, anger, and resentment. Then I learned that by helping others, with no thought of return, I could overcome this obsession with selfishness, and if I understood humility, I would know peace and serenity. No longer do I need to drink.

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

Big Book Quote

“The minute we put our work on a service plane, the alcoholic commences to rely upon our assistance rather than upon God. He clamors for this or that, claiming he cannot master alcohol until his material needs are cared for. Nonsense. Some of us have taken very hard knocks to learn this truth: Job or no job — wife or no wife — we simply do not stop drinking so long as we place dependence upon other people ahead of dependence on God.”

~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, Working With Others, pg. 98~

Keep It Simple

The work of adult life is not easy.—Gail Sheehy

We used to look for an easier, softer way. We tried to take care of ourselves by staying clear of the hard task. The result? We haven’t known what the work of adult life is.

The work of adult life is this: to become spiritually centered. And to do this, we work at getting rid of our self-will. There will be many great rewards for doing this. We will wake up spiritually. We will connect with those we love. The result? We will receive self-love to replace self-will. Our work will not be easy, but it will be rewarding.

Prayer for the Day:
Higher Power, help me to give all to my recovery program. Then help me to be open to the rewards this will bring.

Action for the Day:
I will list the hard parts of my program. Then I’ll talk about them with my sponsor, friends, family, and Higher Power.

Daily Horoscope – Cancer

You are receiving mixed messages while conflicting planetary patterns battle for your attention. Independent Uranus tells you there’s no reason to act hesitantly as long as you’re being truthful. However, nothing is as simple as it appears because the present dynamic also includes strict Saturn who commands you to keep a stiff upper lip and push on through your resistance. It may seem impossible at first, but you must find a way to be both spontaneous and patient at the same time. Kurt Cobain said, “Wanting to be someone else is a waste of who you are.”

Daily Recovery Readings for July 23, 2017:

Daily Reflection

I ASK GOD TO DECIDE

“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.”

— ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 76

Having admitted my powerlessness and made a decision to turn my will and my life over to the care of God, as I understand Him, I don’t decide which defects get removed, or the order in which defects get removed, or the time frame in which they get removed. I ask God to decide which defects stand in the way of my usefulness to Him and to others, and then I humbly ask Him to remove them.

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

Big Book Quote

“An illness of this sort— and we have come to believe it an illness—, involves those about us in a way no other human sickness can. If a person has cancer all are sorry for him and no one is angry or hurt. But not so with the alcoholic illness, for with it there goes annihilation of all the things worth while in life.”

~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, There Is A Solution, pg. 18~

Keep It Simple

Don’t talk unless you can improve the silence.-–Laurence Couglin

“Do I talk to much?” Most of us wonder this sometimes. There are some ways to find out.

Asked yourself these questions: “How much do I know about people in my life?”

“What do they think and feel?” “Do I listen to them?” “Do I often feel that I say too much?”

Then ask a few trusted friends these questions: “Do you think I talk to much?” “How well do you think I listen to you?”

Silence help us listen—to ourselves, to others, and to our Higher Power.

Prayer for the Day:
Higher Power, help me enjoy the silent moments in my day.

Action for the Day:
Today, I’ll think before I speak. what do I really want to say.

Daily Horoscope – Cancer

Sometimes people don’t stop to notice your competence because you’re so adept at supporting others. However, the energy is shifting and you can proudly strut your stuff without being too self-conscious now. It actually might feel amazing to appear in the spotlight while the proud Leo New Moon shakes up your 2nd House of Self-Worth. There’s no reason to shy away from the recognition you rightly deserve. Bask in the warm appreciation you receive for the special gifts you bring to the party.

Daily Recovery Readings for July 21, 2017:

Daily Reflection

“THE GOOD AND THE BAD”
“My Creator, I am now willing that you should have all of me, good and bad.”

— ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 76

The joy of life is in the giving. Being freed of my shortcomings, that I may more freely be of service, allows humility to grow in me. My shortcomings can be humbly placed in God’s loving care and be removed. The essence of Step Seven is humility, and what better way to seek humility than by giving all of myself – good and bad – to God, so that He may remove the bad and return to me the good.

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

Big Book Quote

“Now and then the family will be plagued by spectres from the past, for the drinking career of almost every alcoholic has been marked by escapades, funny, humiliating, shameful or tragic. The first impulse will be to bury these skeletons in a dark closet and padlock the door. The family may be possessed by the idea that future happiness can be based only upon forgetfulness of the past. We think that such a view is self-centered and in direct conflict with the new way of living.”

~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, The Family Afterward, pg. 123~

Keep It Simple

. . . for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you. —Luke 17:21

We want so much to be good. Even when we used alcohol or other drugs, we wanted to believe we were good people. But we often felt we couldn’t measure up. We thought we had to live by a set of rules that we could never follow.

Now we’re finding the goodness inside us. Goodness isn’t something we do. Goodness is just being what we already are. Our Higher Power speaks to us in many ways, including through our hearts and minds. We don’t have to try so hard top be good. We just learn to relax and invite our Higher Power to be part of our lives.

Prayer for the Day:
Higher Power, You have put peace, knowledge, love and joy in my heart today. Help me to always find these things.

Action for the Day:
How’s my Higher Power like a loving king or queen? How can I have a kingdom inside me? I’ll talk with my sponsor about this today.

Daily Horoscope – Cancer

You may be relieved once the bright Sun leaves your sign today, allowing you to work your magic quietly behind the scenes. Nevertheless, you don’t want too much isolation now that the Sun is shining in expressive Leo. Although you wish you had one singular goal so you could simply get on with your business, you’re actually being pulled in two totally different directions. Ultimately, you might be happiest if you toss your previous agenda and go with the current flow. Nothing positive will be gained by trying to hang onto the illusion of control.

Daily Recovery Readings for July 21, 2017:

Daily Reflection

A PRICELESS GIFT
By this time in all probability we have gained some measure of release from our more devastating handicaps. We enjoy moments in which there is something like real peace of mind. To those of us who have hitherto known only excitement, depression, or anxiety – in other words, to all of us – this newfound peace is a priceless gift.

— TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 74

I am learning to let go and let God, to have a mind that is open and a heart that is willing to receive God’s grace in all my affairs; in this way I can experience the peace and freedom that come as a result of surrender. It has been proven that an act of surrender, originating in desperation and defeat, can grow into an ongoing act of faith, and that faith means freedom and victory.

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

Big Book Quote

“We cannot subscribe to the belief that this life is a vale of tears,
though it once was just that for many of us. But it is clear that we
made our own misery. God didn’t do it. Avoid then, the
deliberate manufacture of misery, but if trouble comes, cheerfully
capitalize it as an opportunity to demonstrate His omnipotence.”

~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, The Family Afterward, pg. 133~

Keep It Simple

There is no human problem which could not be solved if people would simply do as I advise. —Gore Vidal

Many of us used a “know it all” act to keep people away. We kept everyone around us on edge. They were afraid of our judgments, just we were secretly afraid of theirs. Why were we so busy with everyone else’s life? So we didn’t have to look at our own! We were afraid of what was happening to us. But we didn’t want to see how sick we were becoming. Now we’re not afraid. We don’t need to keep people away. We don’t need to run their lives. We have our life to live. And we’re enjoying it.

Prayer for the Day:
Higher Power, You are the expert, not me. Teach me. I am Your student.

Action for the Day:
Today, I’ll list the ways I chased away those who cared about me.. I’ll work on the Steps on these items for the next week.

Daily Horoscope – Cancer

Sometimes you want to take emotionally wounded people under your wings and protect them from the cruelty of the world. However, the Moon’s return to your sensitive sign may be problematic if you want to play the role of a nurturing mother hen to everyone. You can set yourself up for a fall if you forget the importance of creating healthy boundaries. It’s one thing to care for the well being of others; it’s something entirely different when you sacrifice your needs to make someone else happy. Kindness is admirable, martyrdom is not.

Daily Recovery Readings for July 20, 2017:

Daily Reflection

SHORTCOMINGS REMOVED

But now the words “Of myself I am nothing, the Father doeth the works” began to carry bright promise and meaning.

— TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 75

When I put the Seventh Step into action I must remember that there are no blanks to fill in. It doesn’t say, “Humbly asked Him to (fill in the blank) remove our shortcomings.” For years, I filled in the imaginary blank with “Help me!” “Give me the courage to,” and “Give me the strength,” etc. The Step says simply that God will remove my shortcomings. The only footwork I must do is “humbly ask,” which for me means asking with the knowledge that of myself I am nothing, the Father within “doeth the works.”

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

Big Book Quote

“I knew from that moment that I had an alcoholic mind. I saw that will power and self-knowledge would not help in those strange mental blank spots. I had never been able to understand people who said that a problem had them hopelessly defeated. I knew then. It was a crushing blow.”

~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, More About Alcoholism, pg. 42~

Keep It Simple

Living so fully. I can’t imagine what any drug would do for me.—Joan Baez

When we were using alcohol and other drugs, our lives kept getting emptier. We tried to keep new things out of our lives. We were scared and tired. We saw feelings as bad. So we got high instead of feeling them.
Now we can live fully every day. We don’t want to block our feelings. We aren’t afraid to opening up to new things and people.

And the more we open up, the happier we are. Our feelings are free. They bounce around. They don’t get stuck. We feel alive. Sure, we feel pain and fear sometimes. But we feel joy, love, and laughter too. And, more and more often, we feel alive.

Prayer for the Day:
Higher Power, please help me live fully today. Help me notice my feelings.

Action for the Day:
Today, I’ll list five things I’ve enjoyed in the last twenty-four hours.

Daily Horoscope – Cancer

A sudden flash of inspiration pulls you out in front of the pack, encouraging you to take charge at work. It’s impossible to know how assertive you should be now, yet thankfully, you might see the big picture from vantage points that often elude you. Don’t ignore the important details, but remember that you may not be able to micromanage your plan. You could be a fountain of ingenuity today, but try not to go wild in your desire to be unconventional. Find a way to fit your radical ideas into a practical container for the best results.

Daily Recovery Readings for July 19, 2017:

Daily Reflection

FALSE PRIDE

Many of us who had thought ourselves religious awoke to the limitations of this attitude. Refusing to place God first, we had deprived ourselves of His help.

— TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 75

Many false notions operate in false pride. The need for direction to live a decent life is satisfied by the hope experienced in the A.A. Fellowship. Those who have walked the way for years – a day at a time – say that a God-centered life has limitless possibilities for personal growth. This being so, much hope is transmitted by the elder A.A.s.

I thank my Higher Power for letting me know that He works through other people, and I thank Him for our trusted servants in the Fellowship who aid new members to reject their false ideals and to adopt those which lead to a life of compassion and trust. The elders in A.A. challenge the newcomers to “Come To” – so that they can “Come to Believe.” I ask my Higher Power to help my unbelief.

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

Big Book Quote

“Perhaps there is a better way–we think so. For we are now on a different basis; the basis of trusting and relying upon God. We trust infinite God rather than our finite selves. We are in the world to play the role He assigns. Just to the extent that we do as we think He would have us, and humbly rely on Him, does He enable us to match calamity with  erenity.”

~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, How It Works, pg. 68~

Keep It Simple

We grow small trying to be great.

We dreamed of being great. Trying to be great is about control. We’ve caused a lot of trouble trying to control things. We’ve been afraid to just let things happen, We’re not very trusting. Many of us have good reasons not to trust. Whatever the reasons, we had put our trust in getting drunk or high. We thought that was one thing we could control. What really happened? We got sick.

Recovery is based on trust. We must learn to trust that it’s best for us to give up control. It will seem strange at first. But letting go and trusting can become a way of life. The Steps, our groups, our sponsor, and our Higher Power—here, we find love and caring. We can trust them.

Prayer for the Day:
I pray that day by day, I’ll put more trust in my program and in my Higher Power.

Action for the Day:
I’ll list five reasons why I can trust my Twelve Step program.

Daily Horoscope – Cancer

You are enthusiastic about your long-term goals now, even if you have little time to think about them. It’s not that you’re a glutton for punishment, but you are in a production-minded phase and want something substantial to show for your efforts. However, you’re probably not quite ready to announce your plans for what’s next. Put the finishing touches on your professional agenda so you can take your work to the next level over the next few weeks. Basketball legend Michael Jordan said, “Limits, like fears, are often just an illusion.”