Daily Recovery Readings
July 23, 2018

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

“How dark it is before the dawn! In reality that was the beginning of my last debauch. I was soon to be catapulted into what I like to call the fourth dimension of existence. I was to know happiness, peace, and usefulness, in a way of life that is incredibly more wonderful as time passes.”

Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, Bill’s Story, pg. 8

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 you care more about caring than being effective. The resistance to being pigeonholed can manifest as rebellion against what people say they actually want. Insisting on your position will only create antagonism today, derailing any potential progress. Being of service often requires adhering to some sort of protocol. It’s not your way or the highway. Do your best to honor what is actually requested of you instead of thinking you know what’s best.

Daily Recovery Readings
July 21, 2018

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

“For the type of alcoholic who is able and willing get well, little charity, in the ordinary sense of the word, is need or wanted. The men who cry for money and shelter before conquering alcohol, are on the wrong track.”

Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, Working With Others, pg. 97

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

The more you push for anything, the more you encounter resistance. Love is on your mind, and it’s tough to think about anything else now. Unfortunately, you may run into a wall or two when it comes to getting what you want today. A winning strategy includes releasing attachment to any particular outcome and avoiding any ultimatums. Remain open to attracting the actual experience which will benefit you the most. Others want to give to you, but not out of pressure or obligation. William Shakespeare wrote, “Expectation is the root of all heartache.”

Daily Recovery Readings
July 20, 2018

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.

12 & 12, 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.”

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

“The age of miracles is still with us. Our own recovery proves that!”

~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, A Vision For You, pg. 153~

Keep It Simple

Living so fully. I can’t image what any drug would do for me.-–Joan Baez

When we were using alcohol and other drugs, our lives kept getting emptier. We tired 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

The more you push for anything, the more you encounter resistance. Love is on your mind, and it’s tough to think about anything else now. Unfortunately, you may run into a wall or two when it comes to getting what you want today. A winning strategy includes releasing attachment to any particular outcome and avoiding any ultimatums. Remain open to attracting the actual experience which will benefit you the most. Others want to give to you, but not out of pressure or obligation. William Shakespeare wrote, “Expectation is the root of all heartache.”

Daily Recovery Readings
July 19, 2018

<b><u>Daily Reflection</b></u>

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.

<b><u>Big Book Quote</b></u>

“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 serenity.”

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

<b><u>Keep It Simple</b></u>

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.

<b><u>Daily Horoscope – Cancer</b></u>

It’s healthy to give from a place of freedom and acceptance in relationships. Your care for others is noble and beautiful in theory. However, it’s prudent to be objective today to see if your caretaking urge comes from a lack of inner security or fear of abandonment. Reexamine your intentions so your offerings don’t turn into a form of subconscious control. Check your possessiveness and lose your jealous streak. Come out of your shell and allow yourself to be seen.

Daily Recovery Readings
July 18, 2018

Daily Reflection

GRATEFUL FOR WHAT I HAVE, p.208

During this process of learning more about humility, the most profound result of all was the change in our attitude toward God.

12 & 12, p. 75

Today my prayers consist mostly of saying thank you to my Higher Power for my sobriety and for the wonder of God’s abundance, but I need also to ask for help and the power to carry out His will for me. I no longer need God each minute to rescue me from the situations I get myself into by not doing His will. Now my gratitude seems to be directly linked to humility. As long as I have the humility to be grateful for what I have, God continues to provide for me.

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

Big Book Quote

“If you are as seriously alcoholic as we were, we believe there is no middle-of-the-road solution. We were in a position where life was becoming impossible, and if we had passed into the region from which there is no return through human aid, we had but two alternatives: One was to go on to the bitter end, blotting out the consciousness of our intolerable situation as best we could; and the other, to accept spiritual help. This we did because we honestly wanted to, and were willing to make the effort.”

~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, There Is A Solution, pg. 25~

Keep It Simple

It takes twenty years to become an overnight success.—Eddie Cantor

Successful people make life look easy. But it’s not. Years of hard work, trial and error, and learning probably went on into each success. The key is this: We must choose to do what we really like. If we want to be successful, we’ll have to work at it. We’ll have letdowns, and we’ll get bored at times. But we’ll be happy because we’re doing what we want, what we know is best for us. Real success has to do with our own happiness.

In our programs, we’ll meet many successful people. They’ve worked hard at recovery, and they are still learning. And they’re happy to share their success with us.

Prayer for the Day:
Higher Power, thank-you for the success the program has already given me.

Action for the Day:
I’ll list three ways I know I am a success today. Number one: I’m sober!

Daily Horoscope – Cancer

Your family tree is casting shade on your heart today. You might be feeling a sentimentality regarding your roots and bloodline, or a growing attachment toward tradition and culture. Be aware of where you may be relinquishing your power. Sometimes an overly amenable disposition masks fears of inadequacy or an inability to receive. Be generous out of self-interest, but also remember how to graciously accept support. All that you give to others you give to yourself.

Daily Recovery Readings
July 16, 2018

Daily Reflection

“A MEASURE OF HUMILITY”

In every case, pain had been the price of admission into a new life. But this admission price had purchased more than we expected. It brought a measure of humility, which we soon discovered to be a healer of pain.

— TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 75

It was painful to give up trying to control my life, even though success eluded me, and when life got too rough, I drank to escape. Accepting life on life’s terms will be mastered through the humility I experience when I turn my will and my life over to the care of God, as I understand Him. With my life in God’s care, fear, uncertainty, and anger are no longer my response to those portions of life that I would rather not have happen to me. The pain of living through these times will be healed by the knowledge that I have received the spiritual strength to survive.

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

Big Book Quote

“Many of us felt that we had plenty of character. There was a tremendous urge to cease forever. Yet we found it impossible. This is the baffling feature of alcoholism as we know it—this utter inability to leave it alone, no matter how great the necessity or the wish.”

~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, More About Alcoholism, pg. 34~

Keep It Simple

We can’t all be heroes because someone has to sit on the curb and clap as they go by. —Will Rogers

Humility is being thankful for the chance to watch the parade. There were days we thought that all that counted were the heroes. But our program has no heroes. It has many fine, spiritual people. . . but no heroes.

When someone is needed to make coffee or pick up after a meeting, we can be willing to do those things. Let’s look at doing these little jobs as our way of looking for a good spot on the curb. . . .to watch the parade! The floats are so colorful, and the bands play so loud!

Prayer for the Day:
Higher Power, help me be proud of who I am, instead of always putting myself down because I’m not who I “should” be.

Action for the Day:
I will look and help someone today. Service to others is service to my Higher Power.

Daily Horoscope – Cancer

Dig deep to find the determination to keep moving forward. You know your role in your community, but it’s easy to become overwhelmed on your quest for knowledge and advancement. Let go of some of your responsibilities before your schedule spirals out of control. Delegate to others who enjoy what you don’t. Give up the need to be right and consider other perspectives as valid. Lightening your load allows you to progress much more quickly on your path.