Daily Recovery Readings for October 6, 2017:

Daily Reflection

FACING OURSELVES

“. . . and Fear says, “You dare not look!”

— TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 49

How often I avoided a task in my drinking days just because it appeared so large! Is it any wonder, even if I have been sober for some time, that I will act that same way when faced with what appears to be a monumental job, such as a searching and fearless moral inventory of myself? What I discover after I have arrived at the other side—when my inventory is completed—is that the illusion was greater than the reality. The fear of facing myself kept me at a standstill and, until I became willing to put pencil to paper, I was arresting my growth based on an intangible.

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

Big Book Quote

“We alcoholics are undisciplined. So we let God discipline us… “

~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, Into Action, pg. 88~

Keep It Simple

If you do not tell the truth about yourself, you cannot tell it about other people.
—Virginia Woolf

Working the Twelve Steps helps us learn the truth. As we struggle with Step Four,
we learn the truth about ourselves. We learn even more about ourselves by doing
Steps Eight and Ten. When we admit the truth about ourselves, things come into
focus. Big changes happen.

As a result, we can see other people more clearly. We see bad sides in people we
thought were prefect. We see good sides in people we hated. We start to know that
everyone has to work hard to find what’s right for them. No one knows all the answers.
In short, we begin to trust others also who also are looking for the truth.

Prayer for the Day:
Higher Power, help me clearly see myself and others.

Action for the Day:
Today, I’ll think about how doing Step Ten keeps me clear about what’s going on in my life.

Daily Horoscope – Cancer

An abrupt shift of direction at work may be upsetting at first, especially if you are comfortable with your current assignment. However, you quickly could see the big picture now, seizing the opportunity to become an integral part of the team. Don’t wait for the dust to settle; jump in without reservation. Risk-taking isn’t risky if you’re confident in your abilities. Today’s unexpected events can lead to tomorrow’s stability.

Daily Recovery Readings for October 5, 2017:

Daily Reflection

YESTERDAY’S BAGGAGE

For the wise have always known that no one can make much of his life until self-searching becomes a regular habit, until he is able to admit and accept what he finds, and until he patiently and persistently tries to correct what is wrong.

— TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 88

I have more than enough to handle today, without dragging along yesterday’s baggage too. I must balance today’s books, if I am to have a chance tomorrow. So I ask myself if I have erred and how I can avoid repeating that particular behavior. Did I hurt anyone, did I help anyone, and why? Some of today is bound to spill over into tomorrow, but most of it need not if I make an honest daily inventory.

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

Big Book Quote

Try to remember that though God has wrought miracles among us, we should never belittle a good doctor or psychiatrist. Their services are often indispensable in treating a newcomer and in following his case afterward.

~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, The Family Afterward, pg. 133~

Keep It Simple

It is often easier to fight for one’s principles than to live up to them—Adlai Stevenson

It easy to talk about our values. But when the clerk at the store gives extra change
my mistake, those values get put to the test. It feels good to read about spirituality
in a comfortable chair at home. But when we get stuck in a traffic jam, it’s hard to
live by our values.

That’s why practicing our program daily helps. Practice prepares us for the tough times.
Maybe we’ll feel like drinking or using other drugs once a year. Maybe we’ll only
get the wrong amount of change once a year. But if we live our values daily, we’ll be
ready when the hard times come. Remember: “It’s not enough to talk the talk. You
have to walk the walk.”

Prayer for the Day:
Higher Power, help me live this program each day. Help me “walk the walk.”

Action for the Day:
Today, I’ll do a Step Ten, Taking an inventory tells me if I’m living up to my values.

Daily Horoscope – Cancer

There is more than one way to nurture your soul today. The extroverted Aries Full Moon fuels your 10th House of Career, motivating you to express your maternalistic inclinations on the job. Taking coworkers under your protective wing extends your love into the community. However, you must balance this need for external accomplishment by also acknowledging your more private side. Spending time with friends and family recharges your soul. Poet Emily Dickinson wrote, “That love is all there is, is all we know of love.”

Daily Recovery Readings for October 4, 2017:

Daily Reflection

A NECESSARY PRUNING

. . . we know that the pains of drinking had to come before sobriety, and emotional turmoil before serenity.

— TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 94

I love spending time in my garden feeding and pruning my beautiful flowers. One day, as I was busily snipping away, a neighbor stopped by. She commented, “Oh! Your plants are so beautiful, it seems such a shame to cut them back.” I replied, “I know how you feel, but the excess must be removed so they can grow stronger and healthier.” Later I thought that perhaps my plants feel pain, but God and I know it’s part of the plan and I’ve seen the results. I was quickly reminded of my precious A.A. program and how we all grow through pain. I ask God to prune me when it’s time, so I can grow.

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

Big Book Quote

Cling to the thought that, in God’s hands, the dark past is the greatest possession you have; the key to life and happiness for others. With it you can avert death and misery for them.

~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, The Family Afterward, pg. 124~

Keep It Simple

Your three best doctors are faith, time, and patience.—From a fortune cookie
Only a short time ago, we were very sick. Getting sober made us so much better.
At first, when we stopped drinking and using other drugs, we thought we were fixed.

Then we began to see that we were not all that well.

No doctor can fix us. To get well, we need to keep living by the Twelve Steps and
the slogans of our program. We need to keep on trusting that our Higher Power
will heal us. One Day at a Time, day after day, we get stronger and happier.
And it never has to stop. Each day, we know ourselves a little better.

Prayer for the Day:
Higher Power, You are my best doctor. Help me remember that.

Action for the Day:
Today, I’ll do what the “doctor” suggests. I will talk with my sponsor about Step Ten today.

Daily Horoscope – Cancer

You want to speak your mind but are afraid of stepping too far out of line today. You believe that others expect you to be supportive of their efforts even if you’re not totally on board with their plans. Nevertheless, you need to stay true to your fundamental values, despite any inconveniences you may create by sharing your thoughts. Ultimately, you won’t regret your actions now if you let your integrity do the talking.

Daily Recovery Readings for October 3, 2017:

Daily Reflection

Someone who knew what he was talking about once remarked that pain was the touchstone of all spiritual progress. How heartily we A.A.’s can agree with him. . . .

— TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, pp. 93-94

When on the roller coaster of emotional turmoil, I remember that growth is often painful. My evolution in the A.A. program has taught me that I must experience the inner change, however painful, that eventually guides me from selfishness to selflessness. If I am to have serenity, I must STEP my way past emotional turmoil and its subsequent hangover, and be grateful for continuing spiritual progress.

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

Big Book Quote

Now we go out to our fellows and repair the damage done in the past. We attempt to sweep away the debris which has accumulated out of our effort to live on self-will and run the show ourselves. If we haven’t the will to do this, we ask until it comes. Remember it was
agreed at the beginning we would go to any lengths for victory over alcohol.

~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, Into Action, pg.76~

Keep It Simple

That which is called firmness I a king is called stubbornness in a
donkey. —Lord Erskine

“Rigid” is a fancy word for “stubborn.” We act this way because
of our fear. When we’re afraid, we hang on to what we’re used to
doing. Our illness had us so scared, we were afraid of the new ideas
and new people. The only thing that didn’t scare us was using alcohol
or other drugs.

We also were stubborn when anyone tried to help us. We thought we
knew what was best. How silly our stubborn actions made us look!

How lonely they kept us.

But our stubborn behavior can teach us about our fears. We need to
be aware our stubbornness. Then we’ll be able to find out what we’re
afraid of—and do something about it.

Prayer for the Day:
Higher Power, help me know when I’m stubborn.

Action for the Day:
Today, I’ll work at accepting my stubbornness. I will use it to learn what I am afraid of today.

Daily Horoscope – Cancer

You’re capable of seeing people from a very different perspective today. While your natural tendency might be to judge someone’s lifestyle choices based upon yours, you could easily take a more enlightened attitude and support them — even if you don’t approve of their behavior. Nurturing those you respect is your highest calling and you can operate at the top of your game now if you refrain from imposing your values on others. Artist Vincent van Gogh wrote, “Love is something eternal; the aspect may change, but not the essence.”

Daily Recovery Readings for October 2, 2017:

Daily Reflection

“THE ACID TEST”

As we work the first nine Steps, we prepare ourselves for the adventure of a new life. But when we approach Step Ten we commence to put our A.A. way of living to practical use, day by day, in fair weather or foul. Then comes the acid test: can we stay sober, keep in emotional balance, and live to good purpose under all conditions?

— TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 88

I know the Promises are being fulfilled in my life, but I want to maintain and develop them by the daily application of Step Ten. I have learned through this Step that if I am disturbed, there is something wrong with me. The other person may be wrong too, but I can only deal with my feelings. When I am hurt or upset, I have to continually look for the cause in me, and then I have to admit and correct my mistakes. It isn’t easy, but as long as I know I am progressing spiritually, I know that I can mark my effort up as a job well done. I have found that pain is a friend; it lets me know there is something wrong with my emotions, just as a physical pain lets me know there is something wrong with my body. When I take the appropriate action through the Twelve Steps, the pain gradually goes away.

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

Big Book Quote

“Burn the idea into the consciousness of every man that he can get
well regardless of anyone. The only condition is that he trust in
God and clean house.”

~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, Working With Others, pg. 98~

Keep It Simple

. . .and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.—Second half of Step Ten

We are human. We make mistakes. This is half the fun of being human.
Step Ten clearly tell us what to do when we are wrong: admit it. This
keeps us honest. It keeps us from hiding secrets that could cause us to
use alcohol or other drugs again.

Trust the gift we get from Step Ten. When we admit our wrongs, people
start to trust us again. We feel good, and people feel good being around us.
Even when they don’t like how we act, they can trust us to run our lives.
No one will ever be prefect. The closet we get is that we admit it when
we’re wrong. This is as good as it gets.

Prayer for the Day: Higher Power, help me admit my wrongs. Help me
earn the trust of others by being honest about my mistakes.

Action for the Day: I will list any wrongs I’ve done today. That way,
I’ll start tomorrow fresh and without any burdens from today.

Daily Horoscope – Cancer

You may be overly sensitive to someone’s subtle attempts at controlling your actions today. You expect others to behave with the highest ethics, but their actions leave you wondering. Unfortunately, it’s hard to tell if people are really interfering with your plans or if a sudden brush with unsubstantiated paranoia is getting the best of you. Don’t let your self-doubt pull you down a rabbit hole when there are more important issues to address. Choose the most honorable path possible without being concerned about anyone else’s expectations. Author Robert Tew wrote, “Nothing and no one can make you happy until you alone make you happy.”

Daily Recovery Readings for September 29, 2017:

Daily Reflection

EXACTLY ALIKE

Frequent contact with newcomers and with each other is the bright spot of our lives.

— ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 89

A man came to the meeting drunk, interrupted the speakers, stood up and took his shirt off, staggered loudly back and forth for coffee, demanded to talk, and eventually called the group’s secretary an unquotable name and walked out. I was glad he was there – once again I saw what I had been like. But I also saw what I still am, and what I still could be. I don’t have to be drunk to want to be the exception and the center of attention. I have often felt abused and responded abusively when I was simply being treated as a garden variety human being. The more the man tried to insist he was different, the more I realized that he and I were exactly alike.

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

Big Book Quote

Practical experience shows that nothing will so much insure immunity from drinking as intensive work with other alcoholics.

~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, Working With Others, pg. 89~

Keep It Simple

Remember how we used to live? We were always trying to cover up some lie or mistake.

We were all like Al. Our energy was going into our illness, not into living. Gratitude is the key word in the program. Gratitude is being thankful for the getting to know our Higher Power. Remember what it was like to not
smile for all those years?

Recovery has given us back our smiles. What a relief! We can relax and enjoy our new life.

Prayer for the Day:
I pray that I’ll always remember what is was like when I was using. I pray that I’ll not take my recovery for granted. I prayer for gratitude.

Action For the Day:
I will list all the things the program and recovery have given me. I will smile about them today.

Daily Horoscope – Cancer

You are fixated on a specific image that captures a romantic fantasy and you can’t get it out of your mind. Paradoxically, glimpses of perfect love vanish when you try to share your vision with someone else. In fact, the more you talk about it, the less clear it becomes. Luckily, communicator Mercury rides to the rescue once it enters objective Libra. Indulging your favorite dreams can be a pleasant diversion as long as you don’t confuse them with reality. Shakespeare wrote, “Expectation is the root of all heartache.”

Daily Recovery Readings for September 28, 2017:

Daily Reflection

LOVE WITHOUT STRINGS

Practical experience shows that nothing will so much insure immunity from drinking as intensive work with other alcoholics.

— ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 89

Sponsorship held two surprises for me. First, that my sponsees cared about me. What I had thought was gratitude was more like love. They wanted me to be happy, to grow and remain sober. Knowing how they felt kept me from drinking more than once. Second, I discovered that I was able to love someone else responsibly, with respectful and genuine concern for that person’s growth. Before that time, I had thought that my ability to care sincerely about another’s well-being had atrophied from lack of use. To learn that I can love, without greed or anxiety, has been one of the deepest gifts the program has given me. Gratitude for that gift has kept me sober many times.

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

Big Book Quote

Yes, there is a long period of reconstruction ahead. We must take the lead. A remorseful mumbling that we are sorry won’t fill the bill at all. We ought to sit down with the family and frankly analyze the past as we now see it, being very careful not to criticize them. Their defects may be glaring, but the chances are that our own actions are partly responsible. So we clean house with the family, asking each morning in meditation that our Creator show us the way of patience, tolerance, kindliness and love.

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

Keep It Simple

Honesty is the backbone of our recovery program. Honesty opens us up. It breaks down the walls we had built around our secret world. Those walls made a prison for us. But all of that is now changed. We are free. Honesty has made us wise. We aren’t sneaking drinks anymore. We don’t have a stash to protect. People who didn’t trust us now depend on our honesty. People who worked hard to avoid us, now seek us out. Self-honesty is the greatest gift we can give ourselves.

Prayer for the Day:
Higher Power, You are truth. I pray that I may not turn away from truth. I will not lie. My life depends on honesty.

Action For the Day:
For twenty or thirty minutes, I will think about how learning to be honest has changed my life.

Daily Horoscope – Cancer

You might grow anxious if you think that someone is trying to control your message today. It feels as if your efforts are thwarted before you can bring your truth out into the open. However, the wheels of change are starting to roll, empowering you to hold onto your thoughts until they are heard. In the long run, everyone involved will benefit from the truth. Author Bryant McGill wrote, “Real transformation requires real honesty. If you want to move forward, get real with yourself.”

Daily Recovery Readings for September 27, 2017:

Daily Reflection

WITHOUT RESERVATION

When brimming with gratitude, one’s heartbeat must surely result in outgoing love, . . .

— AS BILL SEES IT, p. 37

While practicing service to others, if my successes give rise to grandiosity, I must reflect on what brought me to this point. What has been given joyfully, with love, must be passed on without reservation and without expectation. For as I grow, I find that no matter how much I give with love, I receive much more in spirit.

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

Big Book Quote

When ready, we say something like this: My Creator, I am now willing that you should have all of me, good and bad. I pray that you now remove from me every single defect of character which stands in the way of my usefulness to you and my fellows. Grant me strength, as I go out from here, to do your bidding. Amen. We have then completed Step Seven.

~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, Into Action, pg. 76~

Keep It Simple

Honesty is the backbone of our recovery program. Honesty opens us up. It breaks down the walls we had built around our secret world. Those walls made a prison for us. But all of that is now changed. We are free.

Honesty has made us wise. We aren’t sneaking drinks anymore. We don’t have a stash to protect.

People who didn’t trust us now depend on our honesty. People who worked hard to avoid us, now seek us out. Self-honesty is the greatest gift we can give ourselves.

Prayer for the Day:
Higher Power, You are truth. I pray that I may not turn away from truth. I will not lie. My life depends on honesty.

Action For the Day:
For twenty or thirty minutes, I will think about how learning to be honest has changed my life.

Daily Horoscope – Cancer

Although unexpected changes at work may accelerate your rise to success, you might not be eager to sacrifice quality time at home with your family. You won’t likely be happy with professional advancement unless you can coordinate your new responsibilities with your personal life. Don’t just assume that you will be able to do it all. It’s in everyone’s best interest to address these concerns sooner than later. Coach John Wooden wrote, “Next to love, balance is the most important thing.”

Daily Recovery Readings for September 26, 2017:

Daily Reflection

OUR CHILDREN

The alcoholic may find it hard to re-establish friendly relations with his children. . . . In time they will see that he is a new man and in their own way they will let him know it. . . . From that point on, progress will be rapid. Marvelous results often follow such a reunion.

— ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 134

While on the road to recovery I received a gift that could not be purchased. It was a card from my son in college, saying, “Dad, you can’t imagine how glad I am that everything is okay. Happy Birthday, I love you.” My son had told me that he loved me before. It had been during the previous Christmas holidays, when he had said to me, while crying, “Dad, I love you! Can’t you see what you’re doing to yourself?” I couldn’t. Choked with emotion, I had cried, but this time, when I received my son’s card, my tears were tears of joy, not desperation.

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

Big Book Quote

Our real purpose is to fit ourselves to be of maximum service to God and the people about us.

~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, Into Action, pg. 77~

Keep It Simple

The distance doesn’t matter; only the first step is difficult.—Mme. Marquise du Deffand

During our addiction, we were on a path leading to death—death of our
spirit, mind, and body.

On that path, we tired not to think about where it would lead. We didn’t want to get there. We just followed the path toward death, with one drink, pill, snort or toke at a time.

Now we’ve chosen a new path for our lives. Making that choice was hard.

We knew only the old path. We were afraid to change. But we did it. That
was the hardest part.

We are excited to follow our new path. We know it leads to good things.

We can follow the map—the Twelve Steps—and enjoy the trip. It will last as long as we live, and the map will guide us.

Prayer for the Day:
Higher Power, thanks for helping me choose the path of life.

Action for the Day:
Today, I’ll study the map for my life by reading the Twelve Steps.

Daily Horoscope – Cancer

You might become overwhelmed when you see too many distinct possibilities in your future. You wish life was simpler now, but you are resigned to work your way through this nexus of opportunities. Instead of trying to choose one path, reverse the process by eliminating the options that are the least attractive. Narrowing down your choices makes it much easier to proceed. Starve your distractions; feed your focus.

Daily Recovery Readings for September 25, 2017:

Daily Reflection

FIRST THINGS FIRST

Some of us have taken very hard knocks to learn this truth: Job or no job – wife or no wife – we simply do not stop drinking so long as we place dependence upon other people ahead of dependence on God.

— ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 98

Before coming to A.A., I always had excuses for taking a drink: “She said . . . ,” “He said . . . ,” “I got fired yesterday,” “I got a great job today.” No area of my life could be good if I drank again. In sobriety my life gets better each day. I must always remember not to drink, to trust God, and to stay active in A.A. Am I putting anything before my sobriety, God, and A.A. today?

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

Big Book Quote

Everybody nowadays believes in scores of assumptions for which there is good evidence, but no perfect visual proof. And does not science demonstrate that visual proof is the weakest proof? It is being constantly revealed, as mankind studies the material world, that outward appearances are not inward reality at all.

~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, We Agnostics, pg. 48~

Keep It Simple

Martyrs set bad examples—David Russell

Sometimes we call people “martyrs.” We sometimes think of them as victims. They suffer, but sometimes not for a cause. They play “poor me.” They want people to notice how much they suffer. They are afraid to really live. These are the people who set bad examples.

True martyrs died for causes they believed in. We remember them because they were so full of energy and spirit. Recovery helps us live better. Let’s go for it!

Prayer for the Day:
Higher Power, thanks for giving me energy and for healing my spirit. Help me live fully by putting my life in Your care.

Action for the Day:
What kind of example do I set? Does my life reflect joy for life and recovery?

Daily Horoscope – Cancer

Unrealistic expectations encourage you to bite off more than you can chew today. You may be tempted to create a lengthy to-do list, only to discover that you are setting yourself up for disappointment. However, a more pragmatic approach to managing your calendar empowers you to reach your goals in a timely manner. Author Jim Rohn wrote, “Either you run the day or the day runs you.”