Tag: daily reading

DR – March 4, 2018

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Daily Recovery Readings
March 4, 2018

Daily Reflection

WEEDING THE GARDEN

The essence of all growth is a willingness to make a change for the better and then an unremitting willingness to shoulder whatever responsibility this entails.

— AS BILL SEES IT, p. 115

By the time I had reached Step Three I had been freed of my dependence on alcohol, but bitter experience has shown me that continuous sobriety requires continuous effort. Every now and then I pause to take a good look at my progress. More and more of my garden is weeded each time I look, but each time I also find new weeds sprouting where I thought I had made my final pass with the blade. As I head back to get the newly sprouted weed (it’s easier when they are young), I take a moment to admire how lush the growing vegetables and flowers are, and my labors are rewarded. My sobriety grows and bears fruit.

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

Big Book Quote

“Most of us feel we need look no further for Utopia. We have it with us right here and now.”

~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, Bill’s Story, pg. 16~

Keep It Simple

Better bend than break.——-Scottish proverb

Our program is based on bending. We call it “surrender.” We surrender our self-will to the care of God. We do what we believe our Higher Power want us to do. We learn this as an act of love.

Many of us believed surrender was a sign of weakness. We tried to control everything. But we change as we’re in the program longer and longer. We learn to bend. We start to see that what is important is learning. We learn to do what’s best for us and others. To learn, we need an open mind. To bend, we must stay open. Love and care become the center of our lives.

Prayer for the Day:
Higher Power, teach me that strength comes from knowing how and when to bend.

Action for the Day:
Today, I’ll check myself. How open am I? Do I bend when I need to?

Daily Horoscope – Cancer

Your spiritual practice can take you on a journey to the far reaches of the universe today. Wherever you find religion — in meditation, nature, yoga, or church — the results are the same. You are seeking the magical feeling you experience when you and the cosmos are one, and you might just get a glimpse of that metaphysical truth now. But even if you fall short of your expectations, it’s the quest and not the destination that enhances your life. Theologian Matthew Fox wrote, “It doesn’t matter where you dig the well; you will still reach the same water.”

DR – March 3, 2018

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Daily Recovery Readings
March 3, 2018

Daily Reflection

OVERCOMING SELF-WILL

So our troubles, we think, are basically of our own making. They arise out of ourselves, and the alcoholic is an extreme example of self-will run riot, though he usually doesn’t think so. Above everything, we alcoholics must be rid of this selfishness. We must, or it kills us!

— ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 62

For so many years my life revolved solely around myself. I was consumed with self in all forms—self-centeredness, self-pity, self-seeking, all of which stemmed from pride. Today I have been given the gift, through the Fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous, of practicing the Steps and Traditions in my daily life, of my group and sponsor, and the capacity—if I so choose—to put my pride aside in all situations which arise in my life. Until I could honestly look at myself and see that I was the problem in many situations and react appropriately inside and out; until I could discard my expectations and understand that my serenity was directly proportional to them, I could not experience serenity and sound sobriety.

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

But the alcoholic . . . will be absolutely unable to stop drinking on the basis of self-knowledge.

~Alcoholics Anonymous

Our program says three things are more important than knowing ourselves: (1) admitting we have no control over our addiction, (2) believing in a Higher Power, and (3) turning our lives over to the care of that Higher Power. knowing ourselves makes our lives better in recovery. But it does not give us sobriety. Sobriety starts with surrender to our Higher Power. We now know we need faith and strength we get from a Higher Power. We also need the support of others in our program.

Prayer for the Day:
Higher Power, thanks you for my sobriety today. Teach me what I need to know about myself to do Your will today.

Action for the Day:
Today, I’ll talk with my sponsor about the change in my spirit that keeps me sober.

Daily Horoscope – Cancer

While you dream of other times and places, you’re happiest in the emotionally familiar surroundings of your home and family. Although there may be no other place you wish to be now, you can sense a subtle uneasiness that lurks just out of sight. You don’t know whether it’s wiser to let the strange feelings simmer or to go searching in the shadows for the missing pieces to the puzzle of reality. Unfortunately, too much looking only blinds you from the truth. Novelist Elizabeth Bowen wrote, “No object is mysterious. The mystery is your eye.”

 

DR – March 2, 2018

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Daily Recovery Readings
March 2, 2018

Daily Reflection

HOPE

Do not be discouraged.

— ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 60

Few experiences are of less value to me than fast sobriety. Too many times discouragement has been the bonus for unrealistic expectations, not to mention self-pity or fatigue from my wanting to change the world by the weekend. Discouragement is a warning signal that I may have wandered across the God line. The secret of fulfilling my potential is in acknowledging my limitations and believing that time is a gift, not a threat.

Hope is the key that unlocks the door of discouragement. The program promises me that if I do not pick up the first drink today, I will always have hope. Having come to believe that I keep what I share, every time I encourage, I receive courage. It is with others that, with the grace of God and the Fellowship of A.A., I trudge the road of happy destiny. May I always remember that the power within me is far greater than any fear before me. May I always have patience, for I am on the right road.

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

Love conquers all; let us surrender to love.—Virgil

In Step Three, we turn our lives over to God’s care, God love. If we turn our lives over to a loving God, we can conquer all. If you need proof, look around at your next meeting. The room will be full of people who know that love conquers addiction. Like them, we’ve surrendered to love. Once we’ve done this, we can’t use again. For us, using alcohol or others drugs is an act of hate, not love. To Face the hard things in life, we’ll need a lot of love. We’ll find love in our Higher Power, groups, and friends .We’re all working at turning our lives over to love.

Prayer for the Day: There was a time that love scared me. It still does, at times. Higher Power, help me see that You are love, and I must follow where love takes me.

Daily Horoscope – Cancer

Professing your optimism can be motivating to others, but your positivity also concentrates your energy and improves the quality of your life. Your current idealism is the perfect remedy for the detail-oriented Virgo Moon’s presence in your 3rd House of Data. Rather than being buried under piles of incoming information today, aim your thoughts at the distant horizon and dream about the future as you wish it to be. Socrates advised, “The secret of change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new.”

DR – March 1, 2018

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Daily Recovery Readings
March 1, 2018

Daily Reflection

IT WORKS

It works—it really does. — ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 88

When I got sober I initially had faith only in the program of Alcoholics Anonymous. Desperation and fear kept me sober (and maybe a caring and/or tough sponsor helped!). Faith in a Higher Power came much later. This faith came slowly at first, after I began listening to others share at meetings about their experiences—experiences that I had never faced sober, but that they were facing with strength from a Higher Power. Out of their sharing came hope that I too would—and could—”get” a Higher Power. In time, I learned that a Higher Power—a faith that works under all conditions—is possible. Today this faith, plus the honesty, openmindedness and willingness to work the Steps of the program, gives me the serenity that I seek. It works—it really does.

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

Big Book Quote

“Having made our personal inventory, what shall we do about it? We have been trying to get a new attitude, a new relationship with our Creator, and to discover the obstacles in our path. We have admitted certain defects; we have ascertained in a rough way what the trouble is; we have put our finger on the weak items in our personal inventory. Now these are about to be cast out. This requires action on our part, which, when completed, will mean that we have admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being, the exact nature of our defects. This brings us to the Fifth Step in the program of recovery mentioned in the preceding chapter.”

~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, Into Action, pg. 72~

Keep It Simple

Made the decision to turn our will and lives over to God as we understand Him
.–Step Three

Care. This is what turn our will and lives over to care of our Higher Power. What peace follows! We see our God as caring, as loving. We turn everything over to this Higher Power, who can take better care of us than we can by ourselves. Care can guide us. If we want to do something, we can ask ourselves, “Would my Higher Power see this as an act of care?” If the answer is yes, then we go ahead. If the answer is no, we don’t it. If we can’t be sure, we wait and talk it over with our friends and sponsor. We wait until we know whether it would be an act of care or not. What wonderful guidance!

Prayer for the Day:
Higher Power, I give to You my will. I give to you my life. I gladly jump into Your loving arms.

Action for the day:
Today, I’ll care about others. I’ll find as many as I can to care for others.

Daily Horoscope – Cancer

Big ideas come tumbling down-to-earth today as you start to turn your visions into tangible results. The pragmatic Virgo Full Moon validates your 3rd House of Information, reminding you of the importance of organizing your thoughts and communicating them as precisely as you can. But your attention continues to bounce between the exhilaration of unrestrained epiphanies and the monotony of life’s necessary little details. Consciously address the most fundamental matters while maintaining an active mental link to your intuition.

DR – February 28, 2018

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Daily Recovery Readings
February 28, 2018

Daily Reflection

WHAT? NO PRESIDENT?

“When told that our Society has no president having authority to govern it, no treasurer who can compel the payment of any dues, . . . our friends gasp and exclaim, “This simply can’t be. . . .”

— TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 132

When I finally made my way to A.A., I could not believe that there was no treasurer to “compel the payment of dues.” I could not imagine an organization that didn’t require monetary contributions in return for a service. It was my first and, thus far, only experience with getting “something for nothing.” Because I did not feel used or conned by those in A.A., I was able to approach the program free from bias and with an open mind. They wanted nothing from me. What could I lose? I thank God for the wisdom of the early founders who knew so well the alcoholic’s disdain for being manipulated.

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

Big Book Quote

“When people presented us with spiritual approaches, how frequently did we all say, “I wish I had what that man has. Im sure it would work if I could only believe as he believes. But I cannot accept as surely true the many articles of faith which are so plain to him.” So it was comforting to learn that we could commence at a simpler level.”

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

Keep It Simple

Leave yourself alone.—Jenny Janacek

We often pick on ourselves. We put ourselves down. But doing this isn’t part of our recovery.

In fact, it goes against our program. Our program is based on loving care. We have turned our lives over to a caring, loving Higher Power who will give us the answers. We are told Easy Does It. We back off. As recovering addicts, we learn not to judge. Instead, we learn to be kind to ourselves. Our job is not to figure out the world, butt to add more love to it. Let’s start with ourselves.

Prayer for the Day:
Higher Power, stop me from judging. Help me know what You want to do. Help me work the Steps Two and Three.

Action for the Day:
Today, I’ll leave myself alone. I will remember that picking on myself is another from of control.

Daily Horoscope – Cancer

Your current self-confidence motivates you to take chances and say things you might normally keep to yourself. Although you may have an excessive amount of good information at your disposal, you could struggle as you try to tie it all together into a coherent theory. Stick with your most creative ideas now, for they are the ones that carry the greatest potential. Novelist Cathy Hopkins wrote, “Don’t wait for your ship to come in, swim out to it.”

DR – February 27, 2018

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Daily Recovery Readings
February 27, 2018

Daily Reflection

A UNIQUE STABILITY

Where does A.A. get its direction? . . . These practical folk then read Tradition Two, and learn that the sole authority in A.A. is a loving God as He may express Himself in the group conscience. . . . The elder statesman is the one who sees the wisdom of the group’s decision, who holds no resentment over his reduced status, whose judgment, fortified by considerable experience, is sound, and who is willing to sit quietly on the sidelines patiently awaiting developments.

— TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, pp. 132, 135

Into the fabric of recovery from alcoholism are woven the Twelve Steps and the Twelve Traditions. As my recovery progressed, I realized that the new mantle was tailor-made for me. The elders of the group gently offered suggestions when change seemed impossible. Everyone’s shared experiences became the substance for treasured friendships. I know that the Fellowship is ready and equipped to aid each suffering alcoholic at all crossroads in life. In a world beset by many problems, I find this assurance a unique stability. I cherish the gift of sobriety. I offer God my gratitude for the strength I receive in a Fellowship that truly exists for the good of all members.

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

Big Book Quote

“In this book you read again and again that faith did for us what we could not do for ourselves. We hope you are convinced now that God can remove whatever self-will has blocked you off from Him. If you have already made a decision, and an inventory of your grosser handicaps, you have made a good beginning. That being so you have swallowed and digested some big chunks of truth about yourself.”

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

Keep It Simple

Without work all life goes rotten.—Albert Camus

Work is more than earning money. Work means using our time and skills to make life better for those around us. Our work can be our hobbies. Growing food or growing flowers can be our work.
Raising children or caring for older people who need help can be our work. Building homes or helping people live in them can be our work. Thanks to our program of recovery, we can do our best work again. What a change from the drugged-up and hung over days when we didn’t do anything well. We are sober, and we have something to offer.

Prayer for the Day:
Higher Power, help me see that work makes me part of the human family. Help me do Your will in my work today.

Action for the Day:
Good work teaches us good habits. How do the things I’ve learned in my work help me in my recovery program? I’ll list five ways.

Daily Horoscope – Cancer

You’re concerned with making an immediate impact on your earnings or your potential to generate cash. Although you can do all the right things to put yourself in line for a promotion or to develop new income streams, your goals may be a bit narrow. Understandably, financial security is the underpinning of a stable life, but extra money will not buy you health or happiness. Denis Waitley wrote, “Personal satisfaction is the most important ingredient of success.”

DR – February 26, 2018

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Daily Recovery Readings
February 26, 2018

Daily Reflection

NO ORDINARY SUCCESS STORY

A.A. is no success story in the ordinary sense of the word. It is a story of suffering transmuted, under grace, into spiritual progress.

— AS BILL SEES IT, p. 35

Upon entering A.A. I listened to others talk about the reality of their drinking: loneliness, terror and pain. As I listened further, I soon heard a description of a very different kind—the reality of sobriety. It is a reality of freedom and happiness, of purpose and direction, and of serenity and peace with God, ourselves and others. By attending meetings I am reintroduced to that reality, over and over. I see it in the eyes and hear it in the voices of those around me. By working the program I find the direction and strength with which to make it mine. The joy of A.A. is that this new reality is available to me.

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

Big Book Quote

“On the other hand, and strange as this may seem to those who do not understand, once a psychic change has occurred, the very same person who seemed doomed, who had so many problems he despaired of ever solving them, suddenly finds himself easily able to control his desire for alcohol, the only effort necessary being that required to follow a few simple rules.”

~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, The Doctors Opinion, pg. xxix~

Keep It Simple

Forewarned. forearmed: being prepared is half the victory.—Miguel de Cervantes

Ther will be hard times in our program. There will be hard times in our lives. That’s the way the life is. It helps if we accept this. Then we can prepare for tough times. We can prepare by getting a good set of habits and sticking to them. We can make it a habit to give time to our program each day. Sticking to good habits is like having a savings account: when hard times come, we can take the “investment” we’ve made and overcome our problems.

Prayer for the Day:
Higher Power, help me accept that there will be hard times. Help me prepare for them. With Your help, I’ll stay close to You, my friends, and the program.

Action for the Day:
I’ll put something into my program “savings account” today. I’ll make that extra call. I’ll read a little longer or go to an extra meeting.

Daily Horoscope – Cancer

You may dance around the fine line between nurturing someone and smothering them with your worries. The Moon’s current visit to caring Cancer amplifies your desire to protect others as if they were your children. But taking people under your wing can turn manipulative if you exert too much control today, leading to unnecessary power struggles. Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh teaches, “Love in such a way that the person you love feels free.”

DR – February 25, 2018

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Daily Recovery Readings for February 25, 2018:

Daily Reflection

THE CHALLENGE OF FAILURE

In God’s economy, nothing is wasted. Through failure, we learn a lesson in humility which is probably needed, painful though it is.

— AS BILL SEES IT, p. 31

How thankful I am today, to know that all my past failures were necessary for me to be where I am now. Through much pain came experience and, in suffering, I became obedient. When I sought God, as I understand Him, He shared His treasured gifts. Through experience and obedience, growth started, followed by gratitude. Yes, then came peace of mind—living in and sharing sobriety.

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

Believe that life is worth living and your belief will help create the fact.-–Willaim James

Step Two speaks of believing. For many years, we had given up believing in ourselves, in a Higher Power, and in others. We believed in getting high. Now our program tells us to believe in love. We are lovable, and we can love others without hurting them. Of course, believing is an important part of recovery.

To believe means to put aside our doubts. To believe means to have hope. Believing makes the road a little smoother. So, believing lets the healing happen a little faster. All of this is how we get ready to let in the care of our Higher Power.

Prayer for the Day:
I pray for the courage to believe. I’ll not let doubt into my heart. I can recover. I can give myself totally to this simple program.

Action for the Day:
I’ll list four times doubt got in my way. And I’ll think of what I can do to not let that happen again.

Daily Horoscope – Cancer

There are time-sensitive items on your to-do list, but you’re not very motivated to take your chores seriously today. You might prefer to daydream of future adventures or, perhaps, watch a movie about someone’s epic journey. But your imagination only takes you so far; you will soon start to grow bored and seek experiences that are real instead of just imagined. There’s no need to wait until your anxiety builds to an intolerable level. Start small by meeting your obligations first, and then you can cultivate your bigger ideas until you’re ready for that trip around the world.

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#daily readings, #sober, #sobriety, #sober living, #recovery

DR – February 24, 2018

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Daily Recovery Readings for February 24, 2018:

Daily Reflection

A THANKFUL HEART

I try to hold fast to the truth that a full and thankful heart cannot entertain great conceits. When brimming with gratitude, one’s heartbeat must surely result in outgoing love, the finest emotion that we can ever know.

— AS BILL SEES IT, p. 37

My sponsor told me that I should be a grateful alcoholic and always have “an attitude of gratitude”—that gratitude was the basic ingredient of humility, that humility was the basic ingredient of anonymity and that “anonymity was the spiritual foundation of all our Traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities.” As a result of this guidance, I start every morning on my knees, thanking God for three things: I’m alive, I’m sober, and I’m a member of Alcoholics Anonymous. Then I try to live an “attitude of gratitude” and thoroughly enjoy another twenty-four hours of the A.A. way of life. A.A. is not something I joined; it’s something I live.

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

Big Book Quote

“In this book you read again and again that faith did for us what we could not do for ourselves. We hope you are convinced now that God can remove whatever self will has blocked you off from Him. If you have already made a decision, and an inventory of your grosser handicaps, you have made a good beginning. That being so you have swallowed and digested some big chunks of truth about yourself.”

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

Keep It Simple

Failure is impossible. ––Susan B. Anthony

Failure is an attitude. Having an attitude of failure can’t help us. It can only hurt us. If we’re not careful, it can grow into a way of life. So, when we feel like failures, we better look at our attitudes.

An attitude of failure often comes from making mistakes. But we can learn to see our mistakes as lessons. This turns mistakes into gains, not failures. Sometimes, we try to do things that just can’t be done.

When we act like we know everything, we’re going to fail. if we try to act like God, we’re going to fail.

We can’t control others. We can’t know everything. We’re not God. We’re human. If we act human, we’ve already won.

Prayer for the Day:
Higher power, help me to learn from my attitudes. Whatever the outcome, help me learn.

Action for the Day:
Facing our past “failures” is the first step to learning from them. I’ll talk to my sponsor about a past “failure” and the good that came from it.

Daily Horoscope – Cancer

You may experience a temporary existential crisis today as you question your basic spiritual assumptions. Others might not realize the depth of your concern because you probably keep your metaphysical insecurities well hidden now. But you’re not worried about being judged for your lack of faith. You just don’t want to waste precious time and energy defending your beliefs, especially since debate will likely go nowhere productive. Dr. Joan Borysenko wrote, “Every day brings a choice: to practice stress or to practice peace.”

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tags
#daily readings, #sober, #sobriety, #sober living, #recovery

DR – February 23, 2018

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Daily Recovery Readings for February 23, 2018:

Daily Reflection

MYSTERIOUS PARADOXES

Such is the paradox of A.A. regeneration: strength arising out of complete defeat and weakness, the loss of one’s old life as a condition for finding a new one.

— A.A. COMES OF AGE, p. 46

What glorious mysteries paradoxes are! They do not compute, yet when recognized and accepted, they reaffirm something in the universe beyond human logic. When I face a fear, I am given courage; when I support a brother or sister, my capacity to love myself is increased; when I accept pain as part of the growing experience of life, I realize a greater happiness; when I look at my dark side, I am brought into new light; when I accept my vulnerabilities and surrender to a Higher Power, I am graced with unforeseen strength. I stumbled through the doors of A.A. in disgrace, expecting nothing from life, and I have been given hope and dignity. Miraculously, the only way to keep the gifts of the program is to pass them on.

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

Big Book Quote

“Some people cannot be seen–we send them an honest letter. And there may be a valid reason for postponement in some cases. But we don’t delay if it can be avoided. We should be sensible, tactful, considerate and humble without being servile or scraping. As God’s people we stand on our feet; we don’t crawl before anyone.”

~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, Into Action, Page 83~

Keep It Simple

Hitch your wagon to a star.—Ralph Waldo Emerson

Millions of people are sober and have peace of mind through the Twelve Steps. Like the stars, the Steps are always there. At times, clouds block our view of the stars, but we know they are still there. Let’s view the Twelve Steps the same way.

It is said that the stars are the gate to heaven, that we pass through their beauty to get ready to enter heaven. The Twelve Steps are the gate to spirituality here on earth. We travel through their beauty on our way to a spiritual awakening. Hitch your wagon to the Steps, and get ready for the ride of a lifetime.

Prayer for the Day:
I pray to remember that the Steps keep me sober. I pray that I will follow where the Steps take me.

Action For the Day:
I’ll look at the stars tonight. I’ll think of them as symbols of my life touched by the Twelve Steps.

Daily Horoscope – Cancer

Choosing what to share and what to keep to yourself is an ongoing dilemma for you self-protective Crabs. However, your worries are even stronger today because you don’t want your current emotional intensity to detract from the important role you are playing at work, in your family or in your community. You’re capable of handling your personal issues, but they could become a major distraction to others now. Walter Scott wrote, “Discretion is the perfection of reason, and a guide to us in all the duties of life.”