Daily Recovery Readings for November 13, 2017:

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

LOOKING OUTWARD

We ask especially for freedom from self-will, and are careful to make no requests for
ourselves only. We may ask for ourselves, however, if others will be helped. We are
careful never to pray for our own selfish ends.

~ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 87

As an active alcoholic, I allowed selfishness to run rampant in my life. I was so attached
to my drinking and other selfish habits that people and moral principles came second.
Now, when I pray for the good of others rather than my “own selfish ends,” I practice a
discipline in letting go of selfish attachments, caring for my fellows and preparing for the
day when I will be required to let go of all earthly attachments.

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

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

Assuming we are spiritually fit, we can do all sorts of things alcoholics are not supposed to do. People have said we must not go where liquor is served; we must not have it in our homes; we must shun friends who drink; we must avoid moving pictures which show drinking scenes; we must not go into bars; our friends must hide their bottles if we go to their houses; we mustn’t think or be reminded about alcohol at all. Our experience shows that this is not necessarily so.

We meet these conditions every day. An alcoholic who cannot meet them, still has an alcoholic mind; there is something the matter with his spiritual status.

~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, Working With Others, pg. 100~

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

Write down the advice of him who loves you, though you like it not at present.
—Anonymous

We addicts often learn things the hard way. In the past, we found it very hard to take advice from anyone. It’s still hard to take advice, but it’s getting easier every day. We know now that we can’t handle everything in life by ourselves. We’ve come to believe there is help of us. And we’re learning to ask for help and advice.

Sometimes we don’t like the advice we get. We don’t have to use it. But if it comes from people who love and understand us, we can try to listen. Write it down. Think about it. It may make sense another day.

Prayer for the Day:
Higher Power, please work through people who love me. I need your advice. Help me listen to it.

Action for the Day:
I will make notes to myself, writing down things that seem important. I will read them once in a while.

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

Your heart is smiling today because you’re able to feel the love within as well as the love directed your way. You are passionate when you talk about something that’s important to you and your exuberance is contagious. People don’t only want to know the facts; they also want to hear you tell an evocative tale of personal redemption now, whether or not it’s completely true. Terry Pratchett wrote, “If you don’t turn your life into a story, you just become a part of someone else’s story.”

Daily Recovery Readings for November 12, 2017:

Daily Reflection

MORNING THOUGHTS

Ask Him in your morning meditation what you can do each day for the man who is still sick.

~ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 164

For many years I pondered over God’s will for me, believing that perhaps a great destiny had been ordained for my life. After all, having been born into a specific faith, hadn’t I been told early that I was “chosen”? It finally occurred to me, as I considered the above passage, that God’s will for me was simply that I practice Step Twelve on a daily basis. Furthermore, I realized I should do this to the best of my ability. I soon learned that the practice aids me in keeping my life in the context of the day at hand.

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

Big Book Quote

We have learned that whatever the human frailties of various faiths may be, those faiths have given purpose and direction to millions. People of faith have a logical idea of what life is all about.

Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, We Agnostics, pg. 49

Keep It Simple

It may be those who do most, dream most.—Stephen Leacock

Daydreaming gives us hope. It makes our world bigger. Daydreaming can be part of doing Step Eleven. As we meditate, we daydream. Through our daydreaming, we get to know ourselves, our spirit, and our Higher Power. What special work can we do? Our dreams can tell us.

There is time to work and time to dream. Daydreaming helps us find the work our Higher Power wants us to do.

Prayer for the Day:
Higher Power, please speak to me through my daydreams.

Action for the Day:
I’ll set aside time to daydream. I will look into a candle flame, at picture, or out a window, and let my mind wander.

Daily Horoscope – Cancer

Overloading people with a pile of facts is a distraction rather than a benefit today. Naturally, everyone craves credible information that empowers them to make the smartest decisions. But you can bury the truth quickly with a truckload of superfluous data. Instead of impeding progress by pulling everyone’s eyes off the main event, encourage each person to create their own perspective now. Sometimes supporting someone means getting out of their way.

Daily Recovery Readings for November 11, 2017:

Daily Reflection

SELF-ACCEPTANCE

We know that God lovingly watches over us. We know that when we turn to Him, all will be well with us, here and hereafter.

— TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 105

I pray for the willingness to remember that I am a child of God, a divine soul in human form, and that my most basic and urgent life-task is to accept, know, love and nurture myself. As I accept myself, I am accepting God’s will. As I know and love myself, I am knowing and loving God. As I nurture myself I am acting on God’s guidance.

I pray for the willingness to let go of my arrogant self-criticism, and to praise God by humbly accepting and caring for myself.

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

Big Book Quote

So our rule is not to avoid a place where there is drinking, if we have a legitimate reason for being there. That includes bars, nightclubs, dances, receptions, weddings, even plain ordinary whoopee parties. To a person who has had experience with an alcoholic, this may seem like tempting Providence, but it isn’t.

You will note that we made an important qualification. Therefore, ask yourself on each occasion, Have I any good social, business, or personal reason for going to this place? Or am I expecting to steal a little vicarious pleasure from the atmosphere of such places?’ If you answer these questions satisfactorily, you need have no apprehension. Go or stay away, whichever seems best. But be sure you are on solid spiritual ground before you start and that your motive in going is thoroughly good. Do not think of what you will get out of the occasion. Think of what you can bring to it. But if you are shaky, you had better work with another alcoholic instead.

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

Keep It Simple

Have the courage to live; anyone can die.—Robert Cody

Living means facing all of life. Life is joy and sorrow. We used to be people who wanted the joy without the sorrow. But we can learn from hard times, maybe more than we do in easy times. Often, getting through hard times helps us grow. When things get tough, maybe we want to turn and run. Then, a gentle voice from within us say, “I am with you. You have friends who will help.” If we listen, we’ll hear our Higher Power. This is what is meant by “conscious contact” in Step eleven. As this conscious contact grows, our courage grows. And we find the strength to face hard times.

Prayer for the Day:
I pray for the strength and courage to live. I pray that I’ll never have to face hard time alone again.

Action for the Day:
I’ll list two examples of conscious contact” in my life.

Daily Horoscope – Cancer

You crave more freedom at work but the nature of your commitments may prevent you from reaching your goal. You’re unwilling to sacrifice financial security for the sake of independence. Nevertheless, you’re probably seeing the options in terms of all or nothing. The real challenge now is to find ways to express yourself when you’re not on the job. Achieving satisfaction means balancing your need for personal fulfillment with meeting your ongoing responsibilities. Author Joshua L. Liebman wrote, “Maturity is achieved when a person postpones immediate pleasures for long-term values.”

Daily Recovery Readings for November 10, 2017:

Daily Reflection

A SENSE OF BELONGING

Perhaps one of the greatest rewards of meditation and prayer is the sense of belonging that comes to us.

— TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 105

That’s what it is — belonging! After a session of meditation I knew that the feeling I was experiencing was a sense of belonging because I was so relaxed. I felt quieter inside, more willing to discard little irritations. I appreciated my sense of humor. What I also experience in my daily practice is the sheer pleasure of belonging to the creative flow of God’s world. How propitious for us that prayer and meditation are written right into our A.A. way of life.

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

Big Book Quote

We do not like to pronounce any individual as alcoholic, but you can quickly diagnose yourself, Step over to the nearest barroom and try some controlled drinking. Try to drink and stop abruptly. Try it more than once. It will not take long for you to decide, if you are honest with yourself about it. It may be worth a bad case of jitters if you get a full knowledge of your condition. 

~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, More About Alcoholism, pg. 31~

Keep It Simple

Even if you’re on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there.—Will Rogers

The greatest adventure ever is recovery, and action is what’s important in recovery. That’s because the Twelve Steps are full of action. The whole world has now opened up to us. At times, this will scare us. But we aren’t alone. Our Higher Power is there to help us. All we have to ask ourselves is, “Would this action keep me in touch with my Higher Power?” If the answer is yes, then we take action. If the answer is no, then we don’t.

In recovery, we’ll be busy. We admit our wrongs. We take inventories. We seek answers. We ask for help. We are to get as much as we can out of life. We can’t sit and watch; we have to get out and live life.

Prayer for the Day:
Higher Power, You gave me a second chance at life. Help me use it and not let my fear stop.

Action for the Day:
Today, I’ll five things I want to do but I’m afraid to try. I’ll talk to someone I trust about how I can do these things.

Daily Horoscope – Cancer

It’s tempting to recognize all your material possessions as the basis of your happiness. But giving external things the power to determine your emotional health is a path to be avoided. Naturally, having food and shelter, along with a few creature comforts is a great starting point. Thankfully, your attitude is under your control, and nothing can change your internal state of affairs. Greek philosopher Epicurus wrote, “He who is not satisfied with a little, is satisfied with nothing.”

Daily Recovery Readings for November 9, 2017:

Daily Reflection

STEPPING INTO THE SUNLIGHT

But first of all we shall want sunlight; nothing much can grow in the dark. Meditation is our step out into the sun.

— AS BILL SEES IT, p. 10

Sometimes I think I don’t have time for prayer and meditation, forgetting that I always found the time to drink. It is possible to make time for anything I want to do if I want it badly enough. When I start the routine of prayer and meditation, it’s a good idea to plan to devote a small amount of time to it. I read a page from our Fellowship’s books in the morning, and say “Thank You, God,” when I go to bed at night. As prayer becomes a habit, I will increase the time spent on it, without even noticing the foray it makes into my busy day. If I have trouble praying, I just repeat the Lord’s Prayer because it really covers everything. Then I think of what I can be grateful for and say a word of thanks.

I don’t need to shut myself in a closet to pray. It can be done even in a room full of people. I just remove myself mentally for an instant. As the practice of prayer continues, I will find I don’t need words, for God can, and does, hear my thoughts through silence.

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

Big Book Quote

Highly competent psychiatrists who have dealt with us have found it sometimes impossible to persuade an alcoholic to discuss his situation without reserve. Strangely enough, wives, parents and intimate friends usually find us even more unapproachable than do the psychiatrist and the doctor.

But the ex-problem drinker who has found this solution, who is properly armed with facts about himself, can generally win the entire confidence of another alcoholic in a few hours. Until such an understanding is reached, little or nothing can be accomplished.

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

Keep It Simple

Although your dreams inspire you to strive for success, you might lack the fiery ambition to do something about making them come true. Unfortunately, inaction isn’t a viable option now, because it leads to dissatisfaction later. Thankfully, there is a middle path that enables you to find peace of mind today. Aim high, but with the understanding that your trajectory is a long-term process rather than an immediate goal. This strategy allows you to feel good about your efforts without having to bite off more than you can chew.

Daily Horoscope – Cancer

Although your dreams inspire you to strive for success, you might lack the fiery ambition to do something about making them come true. Unfortunately, inaction isn’t a viable option now, because it leads to dissatisfaction later. Thankfully, there is a middle path that enables you to find peace of mind today. Aim high, but with the understanding that your trajectory is a long-term process rather than an immediate goal. This strategy allows you to feel good about your efforts without having to bite off more than you can chew.

 

 

Daily Recovery Readings for November 8, 2017:

Daily Reflection

AN INDIVIDUAL ADVENTURE

Meditation is something which can always be further developed. It has no boundaries, either of width or height. Aided by such instruction and example as we can find, it is essentially an individual adventure, something which each one of us works out in his own way.

— TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 101

My spiritual growth is with God as I understand Him. With Him I find my true inner self. Daily meditation and prayer strengthen and renew my source of well-being. I receive then the openness to accept all that He has to offer. With God I have the reassurance that my journey will be as He wants for me, and for that I am grateful to have God in my life.

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

Big Book Quote

“It is plain that a life which includes deep resentment leads only to futility and unhappiness. To the precise extent that we permit these, do we squander the hours that might have been worth while.”

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

Keep It Simple

Any man may make a mistake; none but a fool will persist in it.—Cicero.

The way we face life’s challenges is what gives meaning to our lives. If we run from our mistakes, they follow us. If we stand up and work with them, we learn. Facing our mistakes teaches us wisdom and courage. Our self-respect grows. Spiritual growth means asking, “How would my Higher Power want me to deal with this mistake?” Then we listen for the answer and do what is needed. The better we get at facing our mistakes, the better we become at learning from them. Native American culture teaches us that all mistakes in life are gifts. The gift is that we are given a chance to learn.

Prayer for the Day:
Higher Power, help me face the mistakes of life and find the lessons that lie within them.

Action for the Day:
When I make a mistake, I’ll stop and ask, “What does my Higher Power want me to learn from this?”

Daily Horoscope – Cancer

Your coworkers might be afraid to discuss an important matter with you today because they’re worried that you’ll take their words too personally. But even if they say nothing, you may notice that there is an energetic break, leading you to assume the worst. Thankfully, you’re in no danger of contributing to the strange tension if you foster an emotionally safe space where anything can be shared without fear of judgment or retribution. A meaningful conversation turns a cold gray day into a bright sunny one.

Daily Recovery Readings for November 7, 2017:

Daily Reflection

LET GO AND LET GOD

. . . praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.
TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 96

When I “Let Go and Let God,” I think more clearly and wisely. Without having to think
about it, I quickly let go of things that cause me immediate pain and discomfort. Because
I find it hard to let go of the kind of worrisome thoughts and attitudes that cause me
immense anguish, all I need do during those times is allow God, as I understand Him, to
release them for me, and then and there, I let go of the thoughts, memories and attitudes
that are troubling me.

When I receive help from God, as I understand Him, I can live my life one day at a time
and handle whatever challenges that come my way. Only then can I live a life of victory
over alcohol, in comfortable sobriety.

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

Big Book Quote

“Once we have taken this step, withholding nothing, we are delighted. We can look the world in the eye. We can be alone at perfect peace and ease. Our fears fall from us. We begin to feel the nearness of our Creator. We may have had certain spiritual beliefs, but now we begin to have a spiritual experience.”

~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, Into Action, pg. 75

Keep It Simple

Telling the truth is a pretty hard thing.—ThomasWolfe.

Often, we get scared to tell the truth. We wonder, “What will happen? Will I get in trouble? Will someone be mad at me?’” These things could happen. But good things could happen too. Sometimes we want to lie.\

We don’t want anyone mad at us or unhappy with us. We want people off our back. So we lie. And it comes back to haunt us. We must believe that the best will happen in the long run if we tell the truth. Our program tells us that we can stay sober if we’re honest. Telling the truth takes faith. We must have faint in the program. We must be honest. Our sobriety and our life depend on it.

Prayer for the Day:
Higher Power, help me remember that I’m doing things Your way when I tell the truth.

Action for the Day:
I will think about what I say today. I will be as honest as I can be.

Daily Horoscope – Cancer

Your state of heightened sensitivity is a mixed blessing today. You can intuitively sense people’s reactions to the complex dynamics before they are even aware of their own emotions. Nevertheless, you can’t say anything yet or your response will fall on deaf ears. Respecting someone’s personal space creates an opportunity for them to talk. You must wait until the subject is brought up for discussion by the other person before sharing your opinion on the matter. As Tom Petty sang, “The waiting is the hardest part.”

Daily Recovery Readings for November 6, 2017:

Daily Reflection

GOING WITH THE FLOW

Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him. . . .

— TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 96

The first words I speak when arising in the morning are, “I arise, O God, to do Thy will.” This is the shortest prayer I know and it is deeply ingrained in me. Prayer doesn’t change God’s attitude toward me; it changes my attitude toward God. As distinguished from prayer, meditation is a quiet time, without words. To be centered is to be physically relaxed, emotionally calm, mentally focused and spiritually aware.

One way to keep the channel open and to improve my conscious contact with God is to maintain a grateful attitude. On the days when I am grateful, good things seem to happen in my life. The instant I start cursing things in my life, however, the flow of good stops. God did not interrupt the flow; my own negativity did.

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

Big Book Quote

..we were at Step Three, which is that we decided to turn our will and our life over to God as we understood Him. Just what do we mean by that, and just what do we do?

The first requirement is that we be convinced that any life run on self-will can hardly be a success. On that basis we are almost always in collision with something or somebody, even though our motives are good. Most people try to live by self-propulsion.

~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, How It Works, pg. 60~

Keep It Simple

That suit is best that best suits me.—John Clark

How mush time do we spend trying to “fit in”? Many of us used to care to much what other people thought about us—our clothes, our ideas, our work. Did we drink the right brand, drive the right car, listen to the right music?

In our program, we still have to watch out for fads and peer pressure. We have to ask ourselves if we’re really in touch with our Higher Power. Are we searching for a sponsor who has inner peace and direction? Or do we look for people who are like our old using friends? As we learn to find our own way of following our Higher Power, we need to be okay with being different.

Prayer for the Day:
Higher Power, help me be the best me I can be today.

Action for the Day:
Today, I’ll work to be me—honestly me—to everyone I meet.

Daily Horoscope – Cancer

People may see you as quietly going about your business today, but you have a larger agenda than just doing your work. Messenger Mercury in uplifting Sagittarius is setting up shop in your 6th House of Logistics, encouraging you to take a more global perspective on the impact of your day-to-day actions. As long as you keep up appearances and continue to meet your obligations, there’s no limit to the possibilities you can imagine. Author Victor Hugo wrote, “Each man should frame life so that at some future hour fact and his dreaming meet.”

Daily Recovery Readings for November 5, 2017:

Daily Reflection

“THE QUALITY OF FAITH”

This . . . has to do with the quality of faith. . . . In no deep or meaningful sense had we ever taken stock of ourselves. . . . We had not even prayed rightly. We had always said, “Grant me my wishes” instead of “Thy will be done.”

— TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 32

God does not grant me material possessions, take away my suffering, or spare me from disasters, but He does give me a good life, the ability to cope, and peace of mind. My prayers are simple: first, they express my gratitude for the good things in my life, regardless of how hard I have to search for them; and second, I ask only for the strength and the wisdom to do His will. He answers with solutions to my problems, sustaining my ability to live through daily frustrations with a serenity I did not believe existed, and with the strength to practice the principles of A.A. in all of my everyday affairs.

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

Acceptance and faith are capable of producing 100% sobriety. –Grapevine.

Acceptance and faith are the most important parts of our recovery. If we boil down Steps One

And Two, we’ll find acceptance and faith. Acceptance means we see the world as it is, not as we want it to be. We start to see ourselves as humans, not as gods. We are good, and we are bad. We need to fit in the world, not run it.
Acceptance also guides us toward faith. Faith is believing. We start to believe that someone or something will take care of us. Faith is about giving up control of outcomes. We learn to say to our Higher Power, “Thy will be done.”

Prayer for the Day:
Higher Power help me accept my illness. Give me the faith to know that You and I, together, will keep me sober.

Action for the Day:
Throughout the day, I’ll think of the 11th step. I’ll pray to my Higher Power, “Thy Will be done, not mine.” Amen.

Daily Horoscope – Cancer

Your thoughts are racing through your mind and they seem to have a life of their own. You might try to ignore them, but the more you shift your focus to other things, the louder they become. Instead of burying your ideas — however irrelevant they may seem — try sharing them with a friend and see where the conversation goes. You don’t need to have an agenda, just a willingness to engage in an open dialogue without any desire to lead it in any particular direction. As the Beatles sang, “Oh that magic feeling… nowhere to go.”

Daily Recovery Readings for November 4, 2017:

Daily Reflection

A DAILY DISCIPLINE

. . . when they [self-examination, meditation and prayer] are logically related and interwoven, the result is an unshakable foundation for life.

— TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 98

The last three Steps of the program invoke God’s loving discipline upon my willful nature. If I devote just a few moments every night to a review of the highlights of my day, along with an acknowledgement of those aspects that didn’t please me so much, I gain a personal history of myself, one that is essential to my journey into self-discovery. I was able to note my growth, or lack of it, and to ask in prayerful meditation to be relieved of those continuing shortcomings that cause me pain. Meditation and prayer also teach me the art of focusing and listening. I find that the turmoil of the day gets tuned out as I pray for His will and guidance. The practice of asking Him to help me in my strivings for perfection puts a new slant on the tedium of any day, because I know there is honor in any job done well. The daily discipline of prayer and meditation will keep me in fit spiritual condition, able to face whatever the day brings—without the thought of a drink.

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

Big Book Quote

Most of us have been unwilling to admit we were real alcoholics. No person likes to think he is bodily and mentally different from his fellows. Therefore, it is not surprising that our drinking careers have been characterized by countless vain attempts to prove we could drink like other people. The idea that somehow, someday he will control and enjoy his drinking is the great obsession of every abnormal drinker. The persistence of this illusion is astonishing.

Many pursue it into the gates of insanity or death.

~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, More About Alcoholism, Page 30~

Keep It Simple

Each day comes bearing its gifts. Untie the ribbons. —Ruth Ann Schabacker

How full life can be! We can untie the ribbons on this gift by keeping our spirits open.

Open to life. Open to how much our Higher Power love us.

Who knows what the gifts the day may bring? Maybe it brings a solution to a problem.

Maybe it brings the smile of a child. Maybe we’ll find a new friend. Whatever gifts the day brings, we must be able to receive them. How do we do this? We keep our spirit open and lively through prayer and meditation. Then we’ll be awake to see the beauty and the wonders life holds for us.

Prayer for the Day:
Higher Power, remind me to pray to You often. Remind me to stop and listen to You. Remind me that You love me very much.

Action for the Day:
At the end of the day, I’ll take time to list the gifts I’ve been given today. This will be first on my list: I am sober.

Daily Horoscope – Cancer

Your network of family and friends is your lifeline and you know you can rely on others when you need them. The Taurus Full Moon stabilizes your 11th House of Community, surrounding you with the emotional comfort you seek. Nevertheless, the relationship between your inner and outer worlds is tense now because of larger uncertainties from global, political and social spheres. Your current happiness depends upon your ability to discern what you can control from what you cannot. Joan Borysenko wrote, “Every day brings a choice: to practice stress or to practice peace.”