Daily Recovery Readings for July 17, 2017:

Daily Reflection

GRATEFUL FOR WHAT I HAVE

During this process of learning more about humility, the most profound result of all was the change in our attitude toward God.

— TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 75

Today my prayers consist mostly of saying thank you to my Higher Power for my sobriety and for the wonder of God’s abundance, but I need to ask also for help and the power to carry out His will for me. I no longer need God each minute to rescue me from the situations I get myself into by not doing His will. Now my gratitude seems to be directly linked to humility. As long as I have the humility to be grateful for what I have, God continues to provide for me.

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

Big Book Quote

“Another principle we observe carefully is that we do not relate intimate experiences of another person unless we are sure he would approve. We find it better, when possible, to stick to our own stories. A man may criticize or laugh at himself and it will affect others favorably, but criticism or ridicule coming from another often produces the contrary effect.”

Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, The Family Afterward, pg. 125

Keep It Simple

It takes twenty years to become an overnight success.—Eddie Cantor

Successful people make life look easy. But it’s not. Years of hard work, trial and error, and learning probably went on into each success. The key is this: We must choose to do what we really like. If we want to be successful, we’ll have to work at it. We’ll have letdowns, and we’ll get bored at times. But we’ll be happy because we’re doing what we want, what we know is best for us. Real success has to do with our own happiness.

In our programs, we’ll meet many successful people. They’ve worked hard at recovery, and they are still learning. And they’re happy to share their success with us.

Prayer for the Day:
Higher Power, thank-you for the success the program has already given me.

Action for the Day:
I’ll list three ways I know I am a success today. Number one: I’m sober!

Daily Horoscope – Cancer

Although you may experience a surge of unexpressed feelings rising to the surface today, it isn’t strong enough to pull you away from the sweetness of your life. However, negative emotions can still detract from an otherwise positive experience. Remain open to the love that is all around you now, even if you are wary of it morphing into something different from what you ultimately desire. Sri Chinmoy teaches, “Peace begins when expectation ends.”

Daily Recovery Readings for July 17, 2017:

Daily Reflection

SURRENDER AND SELF-EXAMINATION

My stability came out of trying to give, not out of demanding that I receive.

Thus I think it can work out with emotional sobriety. If we examine every disturbance we have, great or small, we will find at the root of it some unhealthy dependency and its consequent unhealthy demand. Let us, with God’s help, continually surrender these hobbling demands. Then we can be set free to live and love; we may then be able to Twelfth Step ourselves and others into emotional sobriety.

— THE LANGUAGE OF THE HEART, p. 238

Years of dependency on alcohol as a chemical mood-changer deprived me of the capability to interact emotionally with my fellows. I thought I had to be self-sufficient, self-reliant, and self-motivated in a world of unreliable people. Finally I lost my self-respect and was left with dependency, lacking any ability to trust myself or to believe in anything. Surrender and self-examination while sharing with newcomers helped me to ask humbly for help.

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

Big Book Quote

“My old manner of life was by no means a bad one, but I would not exchange its best moments for the worst I have now. I would not go back to it even if I could.”

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

Keep It Simple

Nothing in life is to be feared. It is only to be understood.—Marie Curie

We have many sides, some good, and some bad. Maybe we’re afraid to see our faults. But we don’t need to be afraid. After all, we need to know our dark side before we can change it. When we see ourselves clearly, we can stop our dark side from causing trouble.

When we shine light on our fears and secrets, we’ll begin to feel better about ourselves. We’ll feel more safe about sharing our worries. The more honest we are with ourselves and others, the better and stronger we become. The goodness and love in us will blossom. We have a Higher Power and a program to help us.

Prayer for the Day:
Higher Power, help me be brave enough to see myself clearly. Gently teach me to see who I really am. Help me know enough to stay sober today.

Action for the Day:
Today, I’ll look myself in the eyes. I’ll spend two minutes looking into my eyes in a mirror. I’ll talk to my sponsor about what I see.

Daily Horoscope – Cancer

Obviously, it’s always wise to listen to your feelings, but today there’s an additional level of concern. You’re operating under the influence of impulsive Mars and crazy Uranus, making your actions impossible for anyone to predict. It may sound like fun to agitate a strange situation that isn’t even yours — until you are entangled and can’t break loose. It might even feel like someone has thrown a monkey wrench into the works. Regroup and shift gears as necessary to respond to the changing conditions. Flexibility allows you to reach your goals in record time.

Daily Recovery Readings for July 16, 2017:

Daily Reflection

“A MEASURE OF HUMILITY”

In every case, pain had been the price of admission into a new life. But this admission price had purchased more than we expected. It brought a measure of humility, which we soon discovered to be a healer of pain.

— TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 75

It was painful to give up trying to control my life, even though success eluded me, and when life got too rough, I drank to escape. Accepting life on life’s terms will be mastered through the humility I experience when I turn my will and my life over to the care of God, as I understand Him. With my life in God’s care, fear, uncertainty, and anger are no longer my response to those portions of life that I would rather not have happen to me. The pain of living through these times will be healed by the knowledge that I have received the spiritual strength to survive.

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

Big Book Quote

“Many of us felt that we had plenty of character. There was a tremendous urge to cease forever. Yet we found it impossible. This is the baffling feature of alcoholism as we know it—this utter inability to leave it alone, no matter how great the necessity or the wish.”

~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, More About Alcoholism, pg. 34~

Keep It Simple

We can’t all be heroes because someone has to sit on the curb and clap as they go by.
—Will Rogers

Humility is being thankful for the chance to watch the parade. There were days we thought that all that counted were the heroes. But our program has no heroes. It has many fine, spiritual people. . . but no heroes.

When someone is needed to make coffee or pick up after a meeting, we can be willing to do those things. Let’s look at doing these little jobs as our way of looking for a good spot on the curb. . . .to watch the parade! The floats are so colorful, and the bands play so loud!

Prayer for the Day:
Higher Power, help me be proud of who I am, instead of always putting myself down because I’m not who I “should” be.

Action for the Day:
I will look and help someone today. Service to others is service to my Higher Power.

Daily Horoscope – Cancer

You don’t want to perform in public today, but circumstances might require you to be in the spotlight anyhow. Fortunately, you possess enough confidence to do what is expected of you, regardless of your personal preferences. Once you overcome your initial resistance, you could even enjoy being the center of attention for a while. Don’t overreact to any specific event; instead, observe your changing feelings as if they were the color palette on your next painting.

Daily Recovery Readings for July 15, 2017:

Daily Reflection

PRIDE

For thousands of years we have been demanding more than our share of security, prestige, and romance. When we seemed to be succeeding, we drank to dream still greater dreams. When we were frustrated, even in part, we drank for oblivion. Never was there enough of what we thought we wanted.

In all these strivings, so many of them well-intentioned, our crippling handicap had been our lack of humility. We had lacked the perspective to see that character-building and spiritual values had to come first, and that material satisfactions were not the purpose of living.

— TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 71

Time and again I approached the Seventh Step, only to fall back and regroup. Something was missing and the impact of the Step escaped me. What had I overlooked? A single word: read but ignored, the foundation of all the Steps, indeed the entire Alcoholics Anonymous program – that word is “humbly.”

I understood my shortcomings: I constantly put tasks off; I angered easily; I felt too much self-pity; and I thought, why me? Then I remembered, “Pride goeth before the fall,” and I eliminated pride from my life.

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

Big Book Quote

“Faith without works was dead, he said. And how appallingly true for the alcoholic! For if an alcoholic failed to perfect and enlarge his spiritual life through work and self-sacrifice for others, he could not survive the certain trials and low spots ahead. If he did not work, he would surely drink again, and if he drank, he would surely die. Then faith would be dead indeed. With us it is just like that.”

~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, Bill’s Story, pg. 14~

Keep It Simple

Let there be spaces in your togetherness.—Kahil Gilran

We all need time alone. Then we can get to know our Higher Power better too.

When we were using chemicals, we were afraid of being alone. We didn’t want to think too much.
So we got high.

Now we know we’re never totally alone. Our Higher Power is with us. We can relax. We can rest.

We can think, read, and meditate. We can our own best friend.

Prayer for the Day:
Higher Power, help me use my time alone to know myself better. Help me get to know You too.

Action for the Day:
Today, I’ll plan to spend two hours alone to get to know myself better. I could take a long walk, or enjoy a park, or my garden. What will I do, and when?

Daily Horoscope – Cancer

You may try to deflect some of your current feelings because you don’t want to put yourself in an emotionally vulnerable position. Although your preferences are very strong today, going along with someone else’s plan could be logistically less complicated. Nevertheless, it’s a smart idea to let others know what you want without expecting them to take responsibility for your needs. Transparency is the fastest route to intimacy.

Daily Recovery Readings for July 14, 2017:

Daily Reflection

Big Book Quote

“The less people tolerated us, the more we withdrew from society, from life itself. As we became subjects of King Alcohol, shivering denizens of his mad realm, the chilling vapor that is loneliness settled down. It thickened, ever becoming blacker. Some of us sought out sordid places, hoping to find understanding companionship and approval. Momentarily we did—then would come oblivion and the awful awakening to face the hideous Four Horsemen—Terror, Bewilderment, Frustration, Despair.”

~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, A Vision For You, pg. 151~

Keep It Simple

Most of the evils of life arise from man’s being unable to sit still in a room.—Blaise Pascal

Our program teaches us to slow down. We learn to slow down by taking time out. During these times-outs, we look at our values and see if we’re staying true to them.

Because of that, meditation is an important part of our program. It teaches us to slow down. Our Higher Power wants us to have fun and play. But we need to bring our Higher Power along. Remember, our Higher Power loves fun. We can have fun, but not at the expense of others.

Prayer for the Day:
I pray for help so I can remember my values. Higher Power, teach me to have fun. Teach me to be true to You at the same time.

Action for the day: Today. I’ll three times mischief has been good fun. I’ll talk with a friend about the difference between trouble mischief and fun mischief.

Daily Horoscope – Cancer

It might seem like someone is shutting you down today before you get to speak your piece. Or, perhaps, your progress on a project encounters resistance, making you so frustrated you’re considering resignation. Fortunately, your deep reserve of tenacity will pull you through this momentary obstruction. You’re not in this for the quick buck; your long-term goals are your priority now and your patience will be tested. Ben Franklin wrote, “Energy and persistence conquer all things.”

Daily Recovery Readings for July 13, 2017:

Daily Reflection

HUMILITY IS A GIFT, p.203

As long as we placed self-reliance first, a genuine reliance upon a Higher Power was out of the question. That basic ingredient of all humility, a desire to seek and do God’s will, was missing.

Twelve & Twelve, p.72

When I first came to A.A., I wanted to find some of the elusive quality called humility. I didn’t realize I was looking for humility because I thought it would help me get what I wanted, and I would do anything for others if I thought God would somehow reward me
for it. I try to remember now that the people I meet in the course of my day are as close to God as I am ever going to get while on this earth. I need to pray for knowledge of God’s will today, and see how my experience with hope and pain can help other people; if I can
do that, I don’t need to search for humility, it has found me.

Big Book Quote

“Everybody knows that those in bad health, and those who seldom play, do not laugh much. So let each family play together or separately as much as their circumstances warrant. We are sure God wants us to be happy, joyous, and free.”

~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, The Family Afterward, pg. 132~

Keep It Simple

A brother may not be a friend, but a friend will always be a brother. —Benjamin Franklin

Many of us come from families that aren’t very healthy for us. Many families have lots of love but aren’t able to show it. Maybe our parents argued or drank too much. When we share our recovery with them, they may not seem happy with us. They may be doing the best they can, but they don’t understand our new way of life.

We can have the love we wanted, but it might not come from our family. We can choose healthy friends to be our new “family.” Some friends may seem like the sister or brother we always wanted.

A sponsor can give us advice we never got from our parents. We can have a full, healthy “family life” after all.

Prayer for the Day:
Higher Power, help me choose a good friend who will help me to be the best that I can be.

Action for the Day:
The best way to have a friend is to be a friend. What will I do today to be a friend?

Daily Horoscope – Cancer

Your bold aspirations of possible adventures aren’t usually part of the Crab’s character. However, you’re inspired to reach beyond the edges of your emotional safety and stretch your mind in the process. But don’t stop to consider if your plans are realistic or even possible; leave the concrete thinking for another day. Just explore every notion that pops into your head as if it were a path to your future without fretting over the logistics. Mason Cooley wrote, “Fantasy mirrors desire. Imagination reshapes it.”

Daily Recovery Readings for July 12, 2017:

Daily Reflection

Big Book Quote

“We found that as soon as we were able to lay aside prejudice and express even a willingness to believe in a Power greater than ourselves, we commenced to get results, even though it was impossible for any of us to fully define or comprehend that Power, which is God.”

~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, We Agnostics, pg. 46~

Keep It Simple

If you would be loved, love and be lovable.—Benjamin Franklin

We all want to be loved. and no matter how much we’re loved, we always want more. How can we be lovable? What does the mean? Should we try to be perfect? Should we act cute and helpless? No, being lovable means that we act ourselves. We let others get to know us. When others love us, we enjoy it. We tell them. We let them know that their love isn’t wasted on us, that it’s important to us. We are lovable, and we are loved!

Prayer for the Day:
Higher Power, help me accept the love of others today. Help me be lovable.

Action for the Day:
Today, I’ll list all the little things others do that show that they care for me.

Daily Horoscope – Cancer

Although you prefer the familiarity of your daily routine, you might feel a sudden urge to break free from your safe and secure world. However, it’s not likely that you’ll quit your job and head overseas today, even if you’re struck with a seemingly incurable case of wanderlust. Follow your instincts to widen your horizons by learning about a subject that’s outside your regular sphere of reference. Attorney Gerry Spence wrote, “I would rather have a mind opened by wonder than one closed by belief.”

Daily Recovery Readings for July 11, 2017:

Daily Reflection

they often suspect they are down for the count.”

~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, There Is A Solution, pg. 23~

Keep It Simple

If you would be loved, love and be lovable.—Benjamin Franklin

We all want to be loved. and no matter how much we’re loved, we always want more.
How can we be lovable? What does the mean? Should we try to be perfect? Should we act cute and helpless? No, being lovable means that we act ourselves. We let others get to know us. When others love us, we enjoy it. We tell them. We let them know that their love isn’t wasted on us, that it’s important to us. We are lovable, and we are loved!

Prayer for the Day:
Higher Power, help me accept the love of others today. Help me be lovable.

Action for the Day:
Today, I’ll list all the little things others do that show that they care for me.

Daily Horoscope – Cancer

You hope that the current noise at work will give you a chance to go unnoticed for stretches of time today. You like the idea of slipping beneath the radar now as if you’re on a stealth mission. Nevertheless, you’re not as invisible as you think because your behavior influences others. There are many ways to impact your future and leading by example is one of the smartest strategies in your playbook these days. Picasso said, “Action is the foundational key to all success.”

Daily Recovery Readings for July 10, 2017:

Daily Reflection

Big Book Quote

“If we were to live, we had to be free of anger. The grouch and the brainstorm were not for us. They may be the dubious luxury of normal men, but for alcoholics these things are poison.” 

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

Keep It Simple

Everybody knows that when they’re happy than usual, the people around them are happy.
—George Harrison

Do we think we can’t be happy until others are happy? Then nobody is happy. Our unhappy friends won’t take our advice. They say,” Why should I do what you say? You are not happy either.” And we answer, “I’ll be okay when you’re happy.” We make them responsible for our happiness. What a mess!

We can only make one person happy—ourselves. How? By living as our Higher Power leads us. By working the Steps. By being grateful for the good things in our lives. By loving ourselves and others, just as we are.

And maybe when we’re happy, our friends will learn from us. They can be happy too. But only our friends can make themselves happy.

Prayer for the Day:
Higher Power, as I do my part in Your plan today, help me feel connected to You and to life.

Today’s Action:
Today I’ll enjoy my happiness. I’ll look for three ways to share it with others.

Daily Horoscope – Cancer

An unavoidable disagreement over an intensely emotional issue could provoke random feelings of helplessness now. Thankfully, transformation is your superpower today, enabling you to skillfully turn negative emotions into fuel for positive change. Looking within your heart can lead you to your own tender spot, but your self-awareness won’t matter until you are vulnerable with your partner. Buddha taught, “When words are both true and kind they could change the world.”

Daily Recovery Readings for July  9, 2017:

Daily Reflection

Big Book Quote

“We have no desire to convince anyone that there is only one way by which faith can be acquired. If what we have learned and felt and seen means anything at all, it means that all of us, whatever our race, creed, or color are the children of a living Creator with whom we may form a relationship upon simple and understandable terms as soon as we are willing and honest enough to try.” 

~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, There Is A Solution, pg. 28~

Keep It Simple

First say to yourself what you would be: and then do what you have to do. – Eptctetus

We often tell ourselves we want to be more peaceful, more in touch with our Higher Power. In other words, we want to become more spiritual. Acting as spiritual people is hard. Tho often, we choose the easy way. We make a nasty comment even if we know it’ll only make things worse.

We say we have a program for living. Are we living our program? We’ll find the answer in our behavior. Sober people act in sober ways. We attend meetings regularly. We study spiritual ideas. We work to bring joy to our lives and the lives of others. Just as we know a good friend by the way he or she behaves, we know a sober person by the way he or she behaves.

Prayer for the Day:
Higher Power, help me be a person whose words and actions match up.

Today’s Action:
Today I’ll take an inventory of my actions to see if they are those of a sober person.

Daily Horoscope – Cancer

A friendship or partnership might run into obstacles that require you to reexamine your emotions. You must communicate your feelings as honestly as possible while the dutiful Capricorn Full Moon shines in your 7th House of Relationships, stirring up trouble or excitement. If there is someone special in your world, how you handle resolving a touchy conflict now establishes the foundation for what comes next. Either way, responding directly from your heart can improve the overall quality of your everyday life. Brene Brown wrote, “What makes you vulnerable makes you beautiful.”