Daily Recovery Readings for November 17, 2017:

Daily Reflection

OVERCOMING LONELINESS

Almost without exception, alcoholics are tortured by loneliness. Even before our drinking got bad and people began to cut us off, nearly all of us suffered the feeling that we didn’t quite belong.

— AS BILL SEES IT, p. 90

The agonies and the void that I often felt inside occur less and less frequently in my life today. I have learned to cope with solitude. It is only when I am alone and calm that I am able to communicate with God, for He cannot reach me when I am in turmoil. It is good to maintain contact with God at all times, but it is absolutely essential that, when everything seems to go wrong, I maintain that contact through prayer and meditation.

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

Big Book Quote

We meet frequently so that newcomers may find the fellowship they
seek.

~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, Bill’s Story, pg. 15~

Keep It Simple

Mishaps are like knives that either serve us or cut us, as we grasp them by the blade or the handle. —Herman Melville

We have hung on in hard times. We made it through our addiction. Some of us have lived through abuse. We’ve felt like our hearts were broken. But we’ve proven we are survivors. Now we’re learning that we can heal.

Being recovery doesn’t mean things will be easy. But we have a Higher Power to help us. We have friends who listen to us, care for us, and help us through the pain. Because of our recovery program, we’re able to keep hope and love in our lives—One Day at a Time.

Prayer for the Day:
Higher Power, help me through the hard times. Help me trust in Your love and care.

Action for the Day:
Today, I’ll plan ahead with my sponsor. What will I do now so that I’ll have strong support when hard times come?

Daily Horoscope – Cancer

You may choose to keep your feelings quiet today because you assume people will find your moods too intense. You don’t want to alienate others by mixing personal issues with your job, yet you also wish you could be open about your internal process. Ironically, you might discover the tables are turned when someone else comes to you with an emotional story. Be as receptive to another person as you wish them to be for you. Putting the Golden Rule into action sets a wonderful example for others to follow.

Daily Recovery Readings for November 16, 2017:

Daily Reflection

A DAILY REPRIEVE

What we really have is a daily reprieve contingent on the maintenance of our spiritual condition.

— ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 85

Maintaining my spiritual condition is like working out every day, planning for the marathon, swimming laps, jogging. It’s staying in good shape spiritually, and that requires prayer and meditation. The single most important way for me to improve my conscious contact with a Higher Power is to pray and meditate. I am as powerless over alcohol as I am to turn back the waves of the sea; no human force had the power to overcome my alcoholism. Now I am able to breathe the air of joy, happiness and wisdom. I have the power to love and react to events around me with the eyes of a faith in things that are not readily apparent. My daily reprieve means that, no matter how difficult or painful things appear today, I can draw on the power of the program to stay liberated from my cunning, baffling and powerful illness.

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

Big Book Quote

We alcoholics are men and women who have lost the ability to control our drinking. We know that no real alcoholic ever recovers control. All of us felt at times that we were regaining control, but such intervals—usually brief—were inevitably followed by still less control, which led in time to pitiful and incomprehensible demoralization. We are convinced to a man that alcoholics of our type are in the grip of a progressive illness. Over any considerable period we get worse, never better.

~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, More About Alcoholism, pg. 30~

Keep It Simple

Pray for powers equal to your task.-–Phillips Brooks

Our task is to stay sober and to help others who still suffer from addiction. We will need patience and understanding. We will need much love. Most of all, we’ll need to work a strong program.

Pray that you come to know the Steps well. Pray that you’ll want to help others—always. Pray for these things, and you’ll have a strong program. In the program, we learn that prayer works. We see prayer change our lives and the lives of those around us. We came to know the power of prayer.

Prayer for the Day:
Higher Power, I pray for knowledge of Your will for me and the power to carry it out.

Action for the Day:
Today, I’ll admit my needs by praying for help from my Higher Power.

Daily Horoscope – Cancer

Your day may get off to a slow start, build to an easy pace and end with a powerful crescendo. Thankfully, you’re swimming in your element as six planets in water signs validate your feelings and soothe your soul. Ironically, there is little uncertainty in your life now, even though your imagination plays a powerful role in determining your behavior. Co-creating the future is possible if you actually take the time to color in all the details of your daydreams. Vincent Van Gogh wrote, “What is done with love is done well.”

Daily Recovery Readings for November 15, 2017:

Daily Reflection

VITAL SUSTENANCE

Those of us who have come to make regular use of prayer would no more do without it than we would refuse air, food, sunshine. And for the same reason. When we refuse air, light or food, the body suffers. And when we turn away from meditation and prayer, we likewise deprive our minds, our emotions, and our intuitions of vitally needed support.

TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 97

Step Eleven doesn’t have to overwhelm me. Conscious contact with God can be as simple, and as profound, as conscious contact with another human being. I can smile. I can listen. I can forgive. Every encounter with another is an opportunity for prayer, for acknowledging God’s presence within me. Today I can bring myself a little closer to my Higher Power. The more I choose to seek the beauty of God’s work in other people,
the more certain of His presence I will become.

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

Big Book Quote

It did not satisfy us to be told that we could not control our drinking just because we were maladjusted to life, that we were in full flight from reality, or were outright mental defectives. These things were true to some extent, in fact, to a considerable extent with some of us. But we are sure that our bodies were sickened as well. In our belief, any picture of the alcoholic which leaves out this physical factor is incomplete.

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

Keep It Simple

The best way to know God is to love many things.—Vincent Van Gogh

Now that we’re in recovery, we’re learning to love people. We’re learning to love nature.

We’re learning to love new ideas about life. The result? We love the way we feel now that we’re taking care of ourselves.

Is our Higher Power really so close? Can we really find our Higher Power just by loving many things? Yes! When we love, we wake up that part of us that is part of all creation—our spirit. We really come to life when we love!

Prayer for the Day:
Higher Power, remind me that You are near when I love someone or something. The energy of love come from You.

Action for the Day:
I will list three things I love that help me know my Higher Power is near me.

Daily Horoscope – Cancer

A new boss might be overbearing today, and you don’t know how to fit the extra work into your busy schedule. Unfortunately, it seems like everyone is expecting more than you can hope to deliver. Your growing anxiety about letting someone down may be unsettling, but you can overcome your worries by focusing on the desired goal rather than the fear of failure. Thankfully, the cosmos supports your efforts to meet your obligations now. Your positive attitude coupled with hard work will take you further than you think. J.K. Rowling wrote, “Anything’s possible if you’ve got enough nerve.”

Daily Recovery Readings for November 14, 2017:

Daily Reflection

INTUITION AND INSPIRATION

. . . . we ask God for inspiration, an intuitive thought or a decision. We relax and take it
easy. We don’t struggle.

~ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 86

I invest my time in what I truly love. Step Eleven is a discipline that allows me and my
Higher Power to be together, reminding me that, with God’s help, intuition and  inspiration are possible. Practice of the Step brings on self-love. In a consistent attempt to improve my conscious contact with a Higher Power, I am subtly reminded of my unhealthy past, with its patterns of grandiose thinking and false feeling of omnipotence. When I ask for the power to carry out God’s will for me, I am made aware of my powerlessness. Humility and a healthy self-love are compatible, a direct result of working Step Eleven.

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

Big Book Quote

Above everything, we alcoholics must be rid of this selfishness. We must, or it kill us! God makes that possible. And there often seems no way of entirely getting rid of self without His aid. Many of us had moral and philosophical convictions galore, but we could not live up to them even though we would have liked to.

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

Keep It Simple

Make it a point to do something every day that you don’t want to do—Mark Twain

Self-discipline is a key part of living sober life. We need it t get to our meetings regularly. We need it to understand the Steps. We need it to work the Steps.

And we get much in return. With self-discipline, we learn to trust ourselves. We learn to do what is most loving and caring for ourselves. What a great relief! One of the worst parts of our illness was that we couldn’t count on ourselves. We didn’t know what we’d do next. Self-discipline heals this part of our illness.

Prayer for the Day:
Higher Power, You have given me much. It’s only right that I give You part of my day. I will pray and meditate on Your wonders.

Action for the Day:
I will list areas of my program where I lack self-discipline. I will share the list with my group and sponsor, and I’ll let them know in a month how I’m doing.

Daily Horoscope – Cancer

You are looking at the wide world through your picture window, safe and secure in your protected corner of the universe. Although you accept the limitations of your current circumstances, you wonder what it would be like to throw caution to the wind and buy a one-way ticket to an unknown destination. For now, you have the luxury of exploring this fantasy from your familiar home base. Keep the dream of adventure alive. Henry Miller wrote, “One’s destination is never a place, but rather a new way of looking at things.”

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.