Daily Recovery Readings
January 24, 2017

Daily Reflection

GETTING INVOLVED

There is action and more action. “Faith without works is dead.” . . . To be helpful is our only aim.
— ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, pp. 88-89

I understand that service is a vital part of recovery but I often wonder, “What can I do?” Simply start with what I have today! I look around to see where there is a need. Are the ashtrays full? Do I have hands and feet to empty them? Suddenly I’m involved! The best speaker may make the worst coffee; the member who’s best with newcomers may be unable to read; the one willing to clean up may make a mess of the bank account—yet every one of these people and jobs is essential to an active group. The miracle of service is this: when I use what I have, I find there is more available to me than I realized before.

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

Big Book Quote

“Simple, but not easy; a price had to be paid. It meant destruction of self-centeredness. I must turn in all things to the Father of Light who presides over us all.” 
~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, Bill’s Story, pg. 14~

Keep It Simple

Few people can be happy unless they hate some other person, nation, or creed.
~Bertand Russell

In recovery learn to give up hate. We must stand for justice, not for hate. We must learn to respect people. They, in turn, will respect us in most cases. We begin to see how important it is to give up hate–if we want others to care for us. Hate is often our secret. Hate is found deep in our hearts and minds. It eats at our souls. It hurts our spiritual growth. Sometimes people are public about their hate. There are even dangerous groups based on hate. But, the most dangerous hate is the private and unspoken. Do I have public hates? Do I have secret hates?

Prayer for the Day:
Higher Power, search my hearts and show me any hates I have. Help me rid myself of them.

Action for the Day:
I’ll list any people, nations, to creeds I hate. I’ll pray to have this hate removed. I’ll pray for these people, nations, or creeds.

Daily Horoscope – Cancer

You might grow annoyed if you encounter a glitch in your day, especially if there’s someone or something you can blame. But even if the cause of your trouble is obvious, you’re likely to hold your anger close to your chest today. You may reason that nothing positive will come from an open conflict. Nevertheless, you’re not interested in just letting the matter pass. Instead of getting mad, you decide to get even. As Frank Sinatra said, “The best revenge is massive success.”

Daily Recovery Readings
January 22, 2017

Daily Reflection

HAVING FUN YET?

. . . we aren’t a glum lot. If newcomers could see no joy or fun in our existence, they wouldn’t want it. We absolutely insist on enjoying life. We try not to indulge in cynicism over the state of the nations, nor do we carry the world’s troubles on our shoulders.
— ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 132

When my own house is in order, I find the different parts of my life are more manageable. Stripped from the guilt and remorse that cloaked my drinking years, I am free to assume my proper role in the universe, but this condition requires maintenance. I should stop and ask myself, Am I having fun yet? If I find answering that question difficult or painful, perhaps I’m taking myself too seriously—and finding it difficult to admit that I’ve strayed from my practice of working the program to keep my house in order. I think the pain I experience is one way my Higher Power has to get my attention, coaxing me to take stock of my performance. The slight time and effort it takes to work the program—a spot-check inventory, for example, or the making of amends, whatever is appropriate — are well worth the effort.

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

Big Book Quote

“Those of us who have spent much time in the world of spiritual make-believe have eventually seen the childishness of it. This dream world has been replaced by a great sense of purpose, accompanied by a growing consciousness of the power of God in our lives. We have come to believe He would like us to keep our heads in the clouds with Him, but that our feet ought to be firmly planted on earth. That is where our fellow travelers are, and that is where our work must be done. These are the realities for us. We have found nothing incompatible between a powerful spiritual experience and a life of sane and happy usefulness.”
~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, The Family Afterward, pg. 130~
Keep It Simple

Sex, like all else between human beings, is never prefect. — Theodore Isaac Rubin

Addiction made our sex lives a mess. Maybe we wanted prefect sex or we wanted no sex.
We were afraid. Maybe we wanted a high from sex we just couldn’t seem to get it. Some of us had lots of sex partners; some of us had none. What now?

We’re doing what we need to do by being in recovery. We’re getting to know ourselves. We’re living by our real values. We’re being honest with ourselves and others. We’re learning to love and care about others. It’s open, honest caring we express with our bodies. Thus, sex can be trusting and safe.

Prayer for the Day:
Higher Power, I turn over my sex life and my will to You—Just for today. I know You want me to be happy.

Action for the Day:
What do I believe about sex? How does it match with what’s said in the third paragraph above?

Daily Horoscope – Cancer

Your analysis of a current strategy may lead you through some tricky territory today. Your grasp of the big picture is quite sound, but you could run into trouble when you try to turn your conceptual framework into a concrete plan. Although the Sagittarius Moon enables you to see the world through a wide-angle lens, her visit to your 6th House of Details demands specifics. Rather than choosing one approach over the other now, keep going back and forth between the basic facts and your colorful imagination. Walking with one foot in each world allows you to produce creative and sustainable ideas.

Daily Recovery Readings
January 21, 2017

Daily Reflection

“LET’S KEEP IT SIMPLE”

A few hours later I took my leave of Dr. Bob. . . . The wonderful, old, broad smile was on his face as he said almost jokingly, “Remember, Bill, let’s not louse this thing up. Let’s keep it simple!” I turned away, unable to say a word. That was the last time I ever saw him.
— ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS COMES OF AGE, p. 214

After years of sobriety I occasionally ask myself: “Can it be this simple?” Then, at meetings, I see former cynics and skeptics who have walked the A.A. path out of hell by packaging their lives, without alcohol, into twenty-four hour segments, during which they practice a few principles to the best of their individual abilities. And then I know again that, while it isn’t always easy, if I keep it simple, it works.

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

Big Book Quote

“In thinking about our day we may face indecision. We may not be able to determine which course to take. Here we ask God for inspiration, an intuitive thought or a decision. We relax and take it easy. We don’t struggle. We are often surprised how the right answers come after we have tried this for a while.”
~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, Into Action, pg. 86

Keep It Simple

Go often to the house of your friend: for weeds soon choke up the unused path.
—-Scandinavian proverb.

Our program has two parts: the Steps, and the fellowship. Both keep us sober. We can’t stay sober if we go it alone. We need to work the Steps. We also need people–the help of our friends daily

Recovery is about relationships. We get new friends. We get involved. We give. We get. In times of need, we may not want to ask our new friends for help. Maybe we don’t want to “burden them.”

“Maybe we’re afraid to ask for help.” Well, go ahead. Make that call. Ask your new friend to spend time with you. You deserve and need it. They deserve it; they need it.

Prayer for the Day:
Higher Power, help me to get help from my friends as if my life depends on it.

Action for the Day:
Today, I’ll see or call two program friends and let them know how I’m doing.

Daily Horoscope – Cancer

It’s self-empowering to believe that you can accomplish anything you set your mind to today. However, you might grow frustrated when everything takes longer than you planned. Thankfully, preventing problems in your schedule is much easier than it is to fix them after the fact. Allow extra time for each task now; managing your calendar wisely saves you from unnecessary headaches later in the day. Proactive measures produce the best results.

Daily Recovery Readings
January 21, 2017

Daily Reflection

SERVING MY BROTHER

The member talks to the newcomer not in a spirit of power but in a spirit of humility and weakness.
— ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS COMES OF AGE, p. 279

As the days pass in A.A., I ask God to guide my thoughts and the words that I speak. In this labor of continuous participation in the Fellowship, I have numerous opportunities to speak. So I frequently ask God to help me watch over my thoughts and my words, that they may be the true and proper reflections of our program; to focus my aspirations once again to seek His guidance; to help me be truly kind and loving, helpful and healing, yet always filled with humility, and free from any trace of arrogance.

Today I may very well have to deal with disagreeable attitudes or utterances-the typical stock-in-trade attitude of the still-suffering alcoholic. If this should happen, I will take a moment to center myself in God, so that I will be able to respond from a perspective of composure, strength and sensibility.

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

Big Book Quote

“In thinking about our day we may face indecision. We may not be able to determine  which course to take. Here we ask God for inspiration, an intuitive thought or a decision. We relax and take it easy. We don’t struggle. We are often surprised how the right
answers come after we have tried this for a while.”
~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, Into Action, pg. 86

Keep It Simple

What is defeat?…Nothing but the first step to something better.——- Wendell Phillips

A man walks into a meeting. He says,” I surrender. I can’t drink like other folks.” We smile and welcome him. We know that feeling. All of us in the program must admit defeat. Our illness is more powerful than we are. We begin recovery when we surrender. Admitting defeat is our first step into a beautiful world. Like all first steps, it’s hard. But what a world we find ourselves in! A world where we count. A world where all are really equal! This first step brings us into God’s world of care. We get love. We give love. We stay sober because daily we admit defeat.

Prayer for the Day:
In surrender, I can’t drink and use other drugs. I’m different. Higher Power, help me surrender daily.

Action for the Day:
Every so often, I need to admit defeat and talk about what it was like, what happened, and where I am now.

Daily Horoscope – Cancer

Sometimes you are so wrapped up in your emotions that you don’t even see how they are coloring your perceptions. Be wary of clinging to hurt feelings from the past because they can prevent you from experiencing the beauty of the present moment. It has been said that holding onto anger is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die. A negative mind will never give you a positive life. Mother Theresa taught, “If we really want to love, we must learn how to forgive.”

Daily Recovery Readings
January 20, 2017

Daily Reflection

“WE PAUSE . . . AND ASK”

As we go through the day we pause, when agitated or doubtful, and ask for the right thought or action.
— ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 87

Today I humbly ask my Higher Power for the grace to find the space between my impulse and my action; to let flow a cooling breeze when I would respond with heat; to interrupt fierceness with gentle peace; to accept the moment which allows judgment to become discernment; to defer to silence when my tongue would rush to attack or defend.
I promise to watch for every opportunity to turn toward my Higher Power for guidance. I know where this power is: it resides within me, as clear as a mountain brook, hidden in the hills—it is the unsuspected Inner Resource.

I thank my Higher Power for this world of light and truth I see when I allow it to direct my vision. I trust it today and hope it trusts me to make all effort to find the right thought or action today.

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

Big Book Quote

“Step Eleven suggests prayer and meditation. We shouldn’t be shy on this matter of prayer. Better men than we are using it constantly.”
~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, Into Action, pg. 85

Keep It Simple

SERVICE—A beautiful word fallen upon bad days.—Claude McKay

Service is really a beautiful word. Service means respect. When we serve others we’re part of the human race. We all need to help each other. Service is a sure way to stay sober. Helping someone else stay sober helps us stay sober. And service frees us from self-will. It teaches us about how to care for ourselves and others. It teaches us that we’re worthwhile. It teaches us that we make a difference. Service keeps us feeling good. Am I quiet when the topic of service comes ap at meetings? If so, how can I change this?

Prayer for the Day:
Higher Power, show me where I can be of help. Give me the courage to make a difference. Give me the courage to really serve others in need.

Action for the Day:
I’ll list five ways service has made or can make my life better.

Daily Horoscope – Cancer

Your newfound self-sufficiency allows you to withdraw deeper into your shell today. Fortunately, you are tapping into powerful emotional issues that can teach you something valuable about yourself. People may think you are retreating as an act of rebellion, but it’s just your way of forcing them to show their cards. There’s no need to explain your motives now; execute your strategy and your determination will be rewarded. Work hard in silence; let your success be your noise.

Daily Recovery Readings
January 16, 2017

Daily Reflection

HITTING BOTTOM

Why all this insistence that every A.A. must hit bottom first? The answer is that few people will sincerely try to practice the A.A. program unless they have hit bottom. For practicing A.A.’s remaining eleven Steps means the adoption of attitudes and actions that almost no alcoholic who is still drinking can dream of taking.
— TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p, 24

Hitting bottom opened my mind and I became willing to try something different. What I tried was A.A. My new life in the Fellowship was a little like learning how to ride a bike for the first time: A.A. became my training wheels and my supporting hand. It’s not that I wanted the help so much at the time; I simply did not want to hurt like that again. My desire to avoid hitting bottom again was more powerful than my desire to drink. In the beginning that was what kept me sober. But after a while I found myself working the Steps to the best of my ability. I soon realized that my attitudes and actions were changing—if ever so slightly. One Day at a Time, I became comfortable with myself, and others, and my hurting started to heal. Thank God for the training wheels and supporting hand that I choose to call Alcoholics Anonymous.

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

Big Book Quote

“Lack of power, that was our dilemma. We had to find a power by which we could live, and it had to be a Power greater than ourselves. Obviously. But where and how were we to find this Power? Well, that’s exactly what this book is about.” 
~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, We Agnostics, pg. 45

Keep It Simple

Fair play is primarily not blaming others for anything that is wrong with us.—Eric Hoffer

It’s tempting to blame others for our problems. Recovery asks us to answer for our actions. Admitting we are powerless over our actions. Admitting we are powerless over our alcohol and other drugs is a start.

Each of the Twelve Steps asks us to answer for our actions in some way. And the program shows us how to do this. Over time, we see that being responsible for our actions is the best way to live. Our self-confidence grows as we become more responsible. We start to see just how much we can do. We have gone from being drunks to being responsible people. If we can do this, then we can do anything!

Prayer for the Day:
I pray to remember that I’m responsible for my actions. Blaming puts distance between me and other people. Higher Power, help me to play fair.

Action for the Day:
Today, I’ll list four times I’ve blamed someone else for a problem that was really my problem.

Daily Horoscope – Cancer

You may not be very happy today if circumstances rain on your plans. However, sometimes hearing no is a blessing in disguise, since practicing self-restraint can be helpful in the long run. Nevertheless, obstacles will fade if you apply what you learn in a methodical manner. Thankfully, you are strong on determination and endurance now, assuring that your actions will have the impact that you desire. Robert Collier wrote, “Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.”

Daily Recovery Readings
January 15, 2017

Daily Reflection

AN UNSUSPECTED INNER RESOURCE

With few exceptions our members find that they have tapped an unsuspected inner resource which they presently identify with their own conception of a Power greater than themselves.

— ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, pp. 567-68

From my first days in A.A., as I struggled for sobriety, I found hope in these words from our founders. I often pondered the phrase: “they have tapped an unsuspected inner resource.” How, I asked myself, can I find the Power within myself, since I am so powerless? In time, as the founders promised, it came to me: I have always had the choice between goodness and evil, between unselfishness and selfishness, between serenity and fear. That Power greater than myself is an original gift that I did not recognize until I achieved daily sobriety through living A.A.’s Twelve Steps.

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

Big Book Quote

“Neither could we reduce our self-centeredness much by wishing or trying on our own power. We had to have God’s help.”

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

Keep It Simple

I shall tell you a great secret, my friend. Don not wait for the last judgment, it takes place every day. –Albert Camus

“Later.” How often have we said this? This trick help us avoid the tasks of the day. Life is full of task–many fun, some boring, others hard. Can I accept the task my Higher Power gives me, easy or hard?

When we used alcohol or other drugs, we’d avoid task, if they became hard for us. We believed we had more control than we really did. We started to believe we could control outcomes. What we really were doing was setting ourselves up for a great fall. We had to face the fact that when our Higher Power had given us a task, we said no, and turned away. Thus, we turned away from the guiding hand of our Higher Power.

Prayer for the Day:
God, help me face You and the tasks You give me. Make me a grateful student of life.

Today’s Action:
Today I will talk with friends. I will tell them what tasks I’m working on.

Horoscope  – Cancer

You like the idea of free-floating through the day without anything on your schedule. Nevertheless, creating an agenda enables you to make the most of your time. It may seem counter-intuitive to allocate space on your calendar for rest and recreation, but it’s wise to relinquish your resistance to organizing everything in advance. Even if you deviate from your initial arrangement, planning in advance gives you the widest range of choices. Prepare for the road ahead, even if it’s just leading to the playground or the couch.

 

Daily Recovery Readings
January 14, 2017

Daily Reflection

NO REGRETS

We will not regret the past nor wish to shut the door on it.
— ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 83

Once I became sober, I began to see how wasteful my life had been and I experienced overwhelming guilt and feelings of regret. The program’s Fourth and Fifth Steps assisted me enormously in healing those troubling regrets. I learned that my self-centeredness and dishonesty stemmed largely from my drinking and that I drank because I was an alcoholic. Now I see how even my most distasteful past experiences can turn to gold because, as a sober alcoholic, I can share them to help my fellow alcoholics, particularly newcomers. Sober for several years in A.A., I no longer regret the past; I am simply grateful to be conscious of God’s love and of the help I can give to others in the Fellowship.

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

If you play with a thing long enough, you will surely break it.—Anonymous

Some things shouldn’t be played with. Our recovery program is one these things. When we play with our program, we’re taking a risk. We play with the program by missing meetings. Or by not calling our sponsors. Or by skipping the Steps we think are to hard. It’s okay to play. But it’s not okay to play with our program, we risk our lives.

Prayer for the Day:
Higher Power, help me know that I must work this program with care and respect.

Action for the Day:
Today, I’ll make two list. On one list, I’ll write ways I work on my program. On the other list, I’ll write ways I play with my program. And I’ll put my energy into working the program.

Daily Horoscope – Cancer

The same ideas that you weren’t sure about a few days ago now appear to be the shiniest of stars beaming at you. Your confidence inspires others to respond enthusiastically when you share your plans, which in turn, validates your ambitious intentions. However, your current originality can overshadow your common sense. Don’t trade in a practical plan for an ingenious one that won’t work. Your success depends upon setting goals that are flexible and attainable.