Daily Recovery Readings
June 23, 2017

Daily Reflection

TRUSTING OTHERS

But does trust require that we be blind to other people’s motives or, indeed, to our own? Not at all; this would be folly. Most certainly, we should assess the capacity for harm as well as the capability for good in every person that we would trust. Such a private inventory can reveal the degree of confidence we should extend in any given situation.

— AS BILL SEES IT, p. 144

I am not a victim of others, but rather a victim of my expectations, choices and dishonesty. When I expect others to be what I want them to be and not who they are, when they fail to meet my expectations, I am hurt. When my choices are based on self-centeredness, I find I am lonely and distrustful. I gain confidence in myself, however, when I practice honesty in all my affairs. When I search my motives and am honest and trusting, I am aware of the capacity for harm in situations and can avoid those that are harmful.

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

Big Book Quote

“There may be some wrongs we can never fully right. We don’t worry about them if we can honestly say to ourselves that we would right them if we could.”

Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, Into Action, pg 83

Keep It Simple

Words are sacred, we must use them wisely. . . . They are a gift from God.~Burton Pretty-On-Top

We use words to bring peace to others. We can use words to tell God and others how much we care. Or we can use words to hurt others. We can curse them and scare them away. We often did when we used alcohol and other drugs.

In recovery, we learn to use words in a kind, wise way. We treat words as a gift from God. We use words to build our relationships.

Do I always use words in a kind way? Do I treat words as a powerful gift from God? Do my words make the world better or worse for those who hear me speak?

Prayer for the Day:
Higher Power, when I speak words, help me think about their power. Help me speak to others in a kind way.

Action for the Day:
Today, I’ll speak to others with respect. My words will add a little kindness, honesty, and love to the world today.

Daily Horoscope – Cancer

As soon as you’re finished working today, get outside and catch some critical solar rays. Perhaps you could make time for some summer reading or light gardening. And even if you’re not inclined to worship the Sun directly, at least make sure you utilize the New Moon in your sign to revitalize your soul. There’s no need to worry about accomplishing your goals now. Just enjoy the experience of swimming around in the sea of your colorful inner world. John Keats wrote, “The poetry of the earth is never dead.”

Daily Recovery Readings
June 21, 2017

Daily Reflection

TODAY, I’M FREE

This brought me to the good healthy realization that there were plenty of situations left in the world over which I had no personal power – that if I was so ready to admit that to be the case with alcohol, so I must make the same admission with respect to much else. I would have to be still and know that He, not I, was God.

— AS BILL SEES IT, p. 114

I am learning to practice acceptance in all circumstances of my life, so that I may enjoy peace of mind. At one time life was a constant battle because I felt I had to go through each day fighting myself, and everyone else. Eventually, this became a losing battle. I ended up getting drunk and crying over my misery. When I began to let go and let God take over my life I began to have peace of mind. Today, I am free. I do not have to fight anybody or anything anymore.

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

Big Book Quote

“When we became alcoholics, crushed by a self-imposed crisis we could not postpone or evade, we had to fearlessly face the proposition that either God is everything or else He is nothing. God either is or He isn’t.”

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

Keep It Simple

The confession of evil works is the first beginning of good works.—St. Augustine.

We started recovering the minute we admitted we were powerless over our illness. We crossed over from dishonesty to honesty.

+Often, we don’t see what power honestly has. Maybe we still aren’t sure that being honest is best for us. It is! This is why the authors of the Big Book ask us to be totally honest from the start.

Just as denial is what makes addiction work, honesty is what makes recovery work.

Honesty means self-respect. Honesty heals. Honesty let us look people in the eyes. What comfort we’ll feel as we deeper into our program.

Prayer for the Day:
I pray that I’ll let go totally. I pray that I’ll keep no secrets that could put my sobriety at risk.

Action for the Day:
Today, I’ll read the first three pages of “How It Works” in the Big Book.

Daily Horoscope – Cancer

You don’t want anyone to know how buzzed you are today, but the coffee has kicked in and you’re flying through the intellectual stratosphere. Nevertheless, you wish you could concentrate on your work, but your thoughts are bouncing around from one end to another. Instead of trying to fit your whole being into a confined space, break out of the cage. Connect with your inner eagle and rise above the storm. Once you are soaring, you can see your entire life from a wider perspective. Follow your inner compass and you’ll easily find a place to rest when your spiritual work is done.

Daily Recovery Readings
June 20, 2017

Daily Reflection

ELEASE FROM FEAR

The problem of resolving fear has two aspects. We shall have to try for all the freedom from fear that is possible for us to attain. Then we shall need to find both the courage and grace to deal constructively with whatever fears remain.

— AS BILL SEES IT, p. 61

Most of my decisions were based on fear. Alcohol made life easier to face, but the time came when alcohol was no longer an alternative to fear. One of the greatest gifts in A.A. for me has been the courage to take action, which I can do with God’s help. After five years of sobriety I had to deal with a heavy dose of fear. God put the people in my life to help me do that and, through my working the Twelve Steps, I am becoming the whole person I wish to be and, for that, I am deeply grateful.

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

Big Book Quote

“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.”

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

Keep It Simple

Order is heaven’s first law.—Alexander Pope

We need order in our lives. It makes life simpler for us. Life without order would be like driving in a large city without traffic signals. Our lives as addicts were like this. We lived with no plan, no order.

Now that we’re sober, we can put some order in our lives. We can get up every morning. We can make our beds and be on time for work. These things make life so much easier and nicer. we need this order. It allows us to depend on ourselves.

We now look at the Twelve Steps to bring order to our lives. The Steps follow each other as summer follows spring. Do I allow myself to follow the natural order or do I fight it?

Prayer for the Day:
Higher Power, You’ve put order in this world. Please put order in my life. Let me flow within this order instead of being on my own.

Action for the Day:
The Twelve Steps have a natural order. Today I’ll take time to read each Step and think about the order found in them.

Daily Horoscope – Cancer

Your brain is tired of the endless stream of words and you wish you could find the switch to turn them off. The placid Taurus Moon entices you to slow the pace of your life and make time to smell the flowers. However, there’s a perfect opportunity to check tasks off your to-do list, making it a serious mistake to escape just yet. Additionally, take good care of your body since suffering from exhaustion is a very real possibility if you ignore your physical needs. But don’t get lazy if there are chores to be done; a month from now you may wish you had started today.

Daily Recovery Readings
June 19, 2017

Daily Reflection

“A.A. REGENERATION”

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

A thousand beatings by John Barleycorn did not encourage me to admit defeat. I believed it was my moral obligation to conquer my “enemy-friend.” At my first A.A. meeting I was blessed with a feeling that it was all right to admit defeat to a disease which had nothing to do with my “moral fiber.” I knew instinctively that I was in the presence of a great love when I entered the doors of A.A. With no effort on my part, I became aware that to love myself was good and right, as God had intended. My feelings set me free, where my thoughts had held me in bondage. I am grateful.

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

Big Book Quote

“In a few seconds he was overwhelmed by a conviction of the Presence of God. It poured over and through him with the certainty and majesty of a great tide at flood. The barriers he had built through the years were swept away. He stood in the Presence of Infinite Power and Love. He had stepped from bridge to shore. For the first time, he lived in conscious companionship with his Creator.”

~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, We Agnostics, pg. 56~

Keep It Simple

If you tell the truth, you don’t need to remember anything.—Mark Twain

One thing is a lot easier in life now is this—we can keep our story straight! We are learning that there’s one really good way to get along with people. Keep It Simple. Just tell the truth.

It’s hard to do at first. We might think, “If people see the real me, what will happen?” We might be afraid of what will happen if we don’t lie or make excuses.

But telling the truth works! We find out we never did fool anyone anyway!

Prayer for the Day:
Higher Power, make me honest.

Action for the Day:
I’ll list all the ways honesty will help me in recovery. I’ll sign-up to give a meeting on honesty.

Daily Horoscope – Cancer

You could shock your friends and associates with your unexpected behavior at work today. Just when you think everything is under control, your frustration gets the best of you and you break from the script. You worry others when you’re no longer a character in someone else’s plot. But you make people nervous because you’re closer to the truth now. Don’t take anything for granted, including your role in this delicate moment. You may be most effective by leading others to the edge of the cliff, but not jumping yourself. There’s still work for you to complete exactly where you are.

Daily Recovery Readings
June 18, 2017

Daily Reflection

A FELLOWSHIP OF FREEDOM

. . . if only men were granted absolute liberty, and were compelled to obey no one, they would then voluntarily associate themselves in the common interest.

— AS BILL SEES IT, p. 50

When I no longer live under the dictates of another or of alcohol, I live in a new freedom. When I release the past and all the excess baggage I have carried for so very long, I come to know freedom. I have been introduced into a life and a fellowship of freedom. The Steps are a “recommended” way of finding a new life, there are no commands or dictates in A.A. I am free to serve from desire rather than decree. There is the understanding that I will benefit from the growth of other members and I take what I learn and bring it back to the group. The “common welfare” finds room to grow in the society of personal freedom.

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

Big Book Quote

“We agnostically inclined would not feel satisfied with a proposal which does not lend itself to reasonable approach and interpretation. Hence we are at pains to tell why we think our present faith is reasonable, why we think it more sane and logical to believe than not to believe, why we say our former thinking was soft and mushy when we threw up our hands in doubt and said, ‘We don’t know.'”

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

Keep It Simple

Nothing is a waste of time if you use the experience wisely. Rodin

When we first start our recovery, it hurts a lot to look at our past. We feel sad. It feels like our life was a waste.

But it wasn’t a waste. The program promises that if we practice the Steps, we’ll not reget the past nor wish to shut the door on it. Hard to believe? Just look at all the happy old-timers in AA. Their lives were just as messed up as ours.

Because of our addiction, we’re learning a new way to live. We are getting to know ourselves, our Higher Power, and other people.

Prayer for the Day:
Higher Power, thanks for helping me into recovery. Help me learn from my addiction.

Action for the Day:
I’ll list three important things I’ve learned about life because of my addiction. I’ll talk to my sponsor about them.

Daily Horoscope – Cancer

Your patience is wearing thin today and you’re tempted to take drastic action so everyone knows exactly where you stand. But caution wins out over urgency and you probably will bide your time until external circumstances are right rather than giving in to an uncontrollable emotional outburst. The truth is, acting strategically doesn’t mean you’re avoiding the issue. To the contrary, you have an unexpected opportunity to develop the details of your plan. Author Croft M. Pentz wrote, “The secret of patience is to do something else in the meantime.”

Daily Recovery Readings
June 17, 2017

Daily Reflection

“DEEP DOWN WITHIN US”

We found the Great Reality deep down within us. In the last analysis, it is only there that He may be found. . . search diligently within yourself. . . . With this attitude, you cannot fail. The consciousness of your belief is sure to come to you.

— ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 55

It was out of the depths of loneliness, depression, and despair that I sought the help of A.A. As I recovered and began to face the emptiness and ruin of my life, I began to open myself to the possibility of the healing that recovery offers through the A.A. program. By coming to meetings, staying sober, and taking the Steps, I had the opportunity to listen with increasing attentiveness to the depths of my soul. Daily I waited, in hope and gratitude, for that sure belief and steadfast love I had longed for in my life. In this process, I met my God, as I understand Him.

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

Big Book Quote

“Once more: The alcoholic at certain times has no effective mental defense against the first drink. Except in a few rare cases, neither he nor any other human being can provide such a defense. His defense must come from a Higher Power.”

~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, More About Alcoholism, pg. 43~

Keep It Simple

Each day provides its own gifts. —Ruth D. Freedman

Life is full of wonderful gifts. Recovery is life’s greatest gift to us. If we’re not excited about being sober, we need to check ourselves. Are we keeping something secret? Is there a sadness we need to talk about? Are we stuffing anger? These things eat away at our excitement for life.

Many addicts never get the gift of recovery. Those of us in recovery are special. We’ve been given a new life. There will be hard times. But the joy of getting a second chance will be stronger. Am I grateful that I’ve been given recovery?

Prayer for the Day:
Higher Power, help me see recovery as a gift. I deserve this gift because I’m human. Help me to always accept this gift.

Action for the Day:
At the end of the day, I’ll list three gifts that this day has given me.

Daily Horoscope – Cancer

Although you’re not overtly aggressive, your tenacity makes up for any perceived shortcomings today. Anyone who thinks your gentle nature means you’re a pushover is guilty of an error in judgment that could create serious conflict later on. You might be planning a power play that doesn’t require you to come out swinging. Somehow, you can conquer new territory through defensive maneuvers as long as you wait for your opponents to make their first moves and reveal their weaknesses. Author Josh Shipp said, “Perseverance is stubbornness with a purpose.”

Daily Recovery Readings
June 16, 2017

Daily Reflection

OPEN-MINDEDNESS

We found that God does not make too hard terms with those who seek Him. To us, the Realm of Spirit is broad, roomy, all inclusive; never exclusive or forbidding to those who earnestly seek. It is open, we believe, to all men.

— ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 46

Open-mindedness to concepts of a Higher Power can open doors to the spirit. Often I find the human spirit in various dogmas and faiths. I can be spiritual in the sharing of myself. The sharing of self joins me to the human race and brings me closer to God, as I understand Him.

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

Big Book Quote

“The great fact is just this, and nothing less: That we have had deep and effective spiritual experiences which have revolutionized our whole attitude toward life, toward our fellows and toward God’s universe. The central fact of our lives today is the absolute certainty that our Creator has entered into our hearts and lives in a way which is indeed miraculous. He has commenced to accomplish those things for us which we could never do by ourselves.”

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

Keep It Simple

AA states that resentments is the “number one offender” among our members, that it puts more alcoholics in the graves than any other thing.—Stools and Bottles

We can get high on anger. That’s why it’s dangerous. We get a false sense of power from being angry. Our anger turns into resentments. Resentments turn into hate. Hate eats at our spiritual core.

We can get rid of resentments and hate through prayer and helping others. That’s why we we’re to pray for those who have wronged us, so our hearts don’t fill with hate. This why, we use our energy in a healthy way. And our serenity will grow as we see that anger no longer has so much power over our actions.

Prayer for the Day
Higher Power, help me stop using anger, resentments and hate for control over other people and advents I don’t like.

Action for the Day
I’ll list all the people I’m angry at. I’ll say a simple prayer for each of them.

Daily Horoscope – Cancer

If someone approaches you today, asking you to make plans for climbing Mount Everest or flying to the Moon, you might accept the challenge without batting an eye. There may be little differentiation between reality and fantasy now as dreamy Neptune casts its spell in your 9th House of Adventure. As the Beatles sang, “The Magical Mystery Tour is waiting to take you away.” Nevertheless, it’s worth the effort to discern fact from fiction. You still can pursue a pipe dream, but at least you won’t be disappointed when your vision doesn’t materialize. The juice is in the journey.

Daily Recovery Readings
June 15, 2017

Daily Reflection

MAKING A.A. YOUR HIGHER POWER

“. . .You can . . . make A.A. itself your ‘higher power.’ Here’s a very large group of people who have solved their alcohol problem. . . . many members . . . have crossed the threshold just this way. . . . their faith broadened and deepened. . . . transformed, they came to believe in a Higher Power. . . .”

— TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, pp. 27-28

No one was greater than I, at least in my eyes, when I was drinking. Nevertheless, I couldn’t smile at myself in the mirror, so I came to A.A. where, with others, I heard talk of a Higher Power. I couldn’t accept the concept of a Higher Power because I believed God was cruel and unloving. In desperation I chose a table, a tree, then my A.A. group, as my Higher Power. Time passed, my life improved, and I began to wonder about this Higher Power. Gradually, with patience, humility and a lot of questions, I came to believe in God. Now my relationship with my Higher Power gives me the strength to live a happy, sober life.

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

Big Book Quote

“We know that while the alcoholic keeps away from drink, as he may do for months or years, he reacts much like other men. We are equally positive that once he takes any alcohol whatever into his system, something happens, both in the bodily and mental sense, which makes it virtually impossible for him to stop. The experience of any alcoholic will abundantly confirm this.”

~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, There Is A Solution, pg. 22~

Keep It Simple

He who laughs, last.—Mary Pettibone Poole

It feels good to laugh again! Our disease took away our sense of humor. Recovery gives it back. That’s why there’s so much laughter at our meetings. By seeing the funny side of things, we ease up.

A person in treatment was talking about the Higher Power he had come to believe in. The counselor asked, “Does God have a sense of humor?” The group had fun talking about this idea for a while. The next day, the counselor came to work and found a note on her door. It read: “Of course God has a sense of humor. He made you, didn’t He? Laughter helps us heal.

Prayer for the Day:
Higher Power, help me ease up today. Let me see the funny side of things.

Action for the Day:
I’ll let myself laugh today.

Daily Horoscope – Cancer

Serving others today can bring you more contentment than you expect, even if your own needs remain unfulfilled. However, there’s a fly in the ointment when someone’s selfish behavior upsets you now, prompting you to resist doing anything nice. Nevertheless, forgiving petty annoyances is still your best strategy because you won’t be happy with yourself unless you take the high road. Giving another person the benefit of the doubt enables them to return the favor when you need it most.

Daily Recovery Readings
June 14, 2017

Daily Reflection

WHEN THE GOING GETS ROUGH

It is a design for living that works in rough going. ~ ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 15

When I came to A.A., I realized that A.A. worked wonderfully to help keep me sober. But could it work on real life problems, not concerned with drinking? I had my doubts. After being sober for more than two years I got my answer. I lost my job, developed physical problems, my diabetic father lost a leg, and someone I loved left me for another — and all of this happened during a two-week period. Reality crashed in, yet A.A. was there to support, comfort, and strengthen me. The principles I had learned during my early days of sobriety became a mainstay of my life, for not only did I come through, but I never stopped being able to help newcomers. A.A. taught me not to be overwhelmed, but rather to accept and understand my life as it unfolded.

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

Big Book Quote

“…I humbly offered myself to God, as I then I understood Him, to do with me as He would. I placed myself unreservedly under His care and direction. I admitted for the first time that of myself I was nothing; that without Him I was lost. I ruthlessly faced my sins and became willing to have my new-found Friend take them away, root and branch.”

~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, Bill’s Story, pg. 13~

Keep It Simple

Time is nature’s way of keeping everything from happening at once.—unknown

Time always seems to pass too slowly or too quickly for us. .We want the fun times to last longer. We want the boring or painful times to go faster. But times goes at just the right pace. Any faster, and we wouldn’t have enough time to learn as we go. Any slower, and we’d lose interest. In our program, we learn to respect the pace of time. We let go, and we let time go at it’s own pace. We call this patience.

Prayer for the Day:
Higher Power, thank-you for patience. Help me look forward to the future without rushing. Help me live fully in the here and now. Help me make today a good one by doing Your will.

Action for the Day:
I’ll list five ways I can use time to be more healthy—in body, mind and spirit. Which of these five things can I do today?

Daily Horoscope – Cancer

Untangling a problem today won’t lead to satisfaction if your solution is anything less than enchanting. This is what Keats meant when he wrote, “Beauty is truth; truth beauty.” Nevertheless, you could easily mislead yourself into believing you know where you want to go when you’re actually heading somewhere else. Don’t wait; it’s time to put on the most practical pair of glasses you can find. The most reliable answers are revealed now once you see the world exactly as it is.

Daily Recovery Readings
June 13, 2017

Daily Reflection

LIVING OUR AMENDS

“Years of living with an alcoholic is almost sure to make any wife or child neurotic. The entire family is, to some extent, ill.”

— ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 122

It is important for me to realize that, as an alcoholic, I not only hurt myself but also those around me. Making amends to my family, and to the families of alcoholics still suffering, will always be important. Understanding the havoc I created and trying to repair the destruction, will be a lifelong endeavor. The example of my sobriety may give others hope, and faith to help themselves.

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

Big Book Quote

“Frothy emotional appeal seldom suffices. The message which can interest and hold these alcoholic people must have depth and weight. In nearly all cases, their ideals must be grounded in a power greater than themselves, if they are to re-create their lives.”

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

Keep It Simple

The reason why worry kills more people than work is that more people worry than work. —Robert Frost

Worry—it’s a lonely activity. It puts distance between us and others. Our program is full of ideas about what to do with worry. On Step Three, we turn our will and our lives over to God. This includes worry.

Our slogans also suggest what to do with worry. One Day at a Time. Live and Let Live. Easy Does It. Let Go and Let God. Their main message is to stop worrying. Trust the program. Trust your Higher Power. Everything will be okay.

Prayer for the Day:
Higher Power, I give You my worries. Teach me how to trust again. I want to trust in You, my program, and myself.

Action for the Day:
I’ll write the program slogans listed above on a piece of paper, and I’ll read them over today. I’ll let myself live them today.

Daily Horoscope – Cancer

You don’t want to work hard today, but you might not have the freedom to choose. Thankfully, each of your actions produces near-immediate positive effects. However, short-term success is no reason to think you’re finished, so conserve some energy for the days ahead. Don’t attempt to complete everything all at once. Spread the most demanding chores over the next few days for the best results. Ambiguity reigns where logic does not.